Do you believe your child will surpass your knowledge?

Question

I noticed this response from a poster

"Did you ever think about the fact that you'll never know more than your dad (or parents) if you do this? Really, you'll never get to learn anything more than they can teach you. At least at school you have several teachers, different perspectives, and lots of opportunities to make friends."

And I was rather dumbfounded by it. Would any of you brilliant homeschoolers write a response to this?

All I can say is how many times a day I am amazed at the things my children know that I never taught them!

Answer 1

My son already has in many areas!

Someone else mentioned... the idea is to learn to learn and I'll add have the confidence to pursue interests.

Answer 2

I would hope so.

The younger generations are suposed to be a little better than the old, with passed on knowledge.

It would be tragic if every new generation get dumber and dumber.

Answer 3

Don't you just love the propaganda from the Teacher's Unions!

If they had their way all kids would be put into camps because their parent's aren't competent enough to parent because the don't have a PH D in parenting.

Meanwhile there's this senior I know in the NYS system who thinks Denmark is a city.

I guess that's how they teach it in the NY schools!

Answer 4

I agree with the response from the poster.  i have no doubt that my children will have more knowledge than them.  My son is in traditional school as will my daughter when she is old enough.  I value them being exposed to different view points.  That being said, just because someone is home schooled does not mean they cannot be exposed to an education level higher then their parents.  Parents can bring in other people to help in certain subjects, can take them to venues that will expand their knowledge and get them exposure to more knowledge and ideas.

Answer 5

Virtual School beats home school.

Answer 6

They already have.........Book smart

But never street smart

Answer 7

This response is of course an assumption from someone who knows little about homeschooling, and is under the impression that all homeschoolers only learn at home and only learn from their parents.

All of my kids have surpassed my knowledge already in one way or the other.

My 6 year old, who has studied puppetry with a gent who worked with puppets all over the world for 20 years (including on Sesame Street), can teach me a thing or two about handling a marionette.

My 9 year old, who is a science and technology enthusiast, has taken many science classes with a retired science teacher, engineering classes with an engineer who uses specially designed legos with motors to teach the concepts, and a class in video game programming, is constantly telling me, an English Lit/Education major, many things I've never know. He's even created his own Mario Brothers game version that the rest of the family enjoys playing.

My 17 year old has taken college classes since age 15 and is about 2 semesters away from an AA degree, and she often shares with me things she's learned in classes that I've never had the opportunity to take. She's also in advanced sign language-- I don't know any sign language at all.

Answer 8

I do!

They learn more than you at school these days.

Oh and I'm a kid. 13 yrs.

Answer 9

ha.

i bet you know one fact, and your child knows a differet one.

they can't be compared.

Answer 10

In reply to:

"Did you ever think about the fact that you'll never know more than your dad (or parents) if you do this? Really, you'll never get to learn anything more than they can teach you. At least at school you have several teachers, different perspectives, and lots of opportunities to make friends."

I have to say that I totally disagree with it!  I have done most the learning in my life on my own, outside a classroom.  We can find different perspectives anywhere; we need not go to a school to find them.

My kids also know many things I never taught them.  Unless people are intellectually limited by biology or by poor choices, not many people will not learn.

Answer 11

I don't believe knowledge is a "OK, this is all I know" thing.

We ALL learn (or at least we SHOULD) each day.

Ideally, you teach your kids to learn, so that they can learn FOREVER without having to have it crammed into their brains by teachers, and then go into the real world without the ability to progress.

Answer 12

My daughter already understand more about Algebra than I do.  I tried to stay ahead, but I'm busy with two other kids and she ended up ahead of me.  If she gets stuck beyond what Teaching Textbooks explain, I'll have to ask my friend (who is very strong in Math) to explain it.

I think people have just been brainwashed into the idea that school is the only way to learn.  They don't stop and think about the fact that people are capable of researching and learning independently.

Answer 13

My son definitely already knows far more than I do, and in different subjects, and he's still a very young man (age 27).  I certainly don't consider either of us to be stupid; I'm a member of Mensa, and my son is a mechanical and aeronautical engineer.  While I might have been qualified to home-school him in my own areas of expertise (mathematics and the sciences), I was not remotely qualified to teach him in some other fields, at least not beyond a comparatively basic level.  In my opinion, home-schoolers automatically limit their children in the name of religion or "protecting" them in some way.  It might be a nice idea that a home-schooling parent could protect their children from whatever they may find out in the big bad world, but it's not very realistic.  Ultimately, a home-schooled child, with rare exceptions, ends up at a substantial disadvantage when compared to traditional schooling methods.

Answer 14

In all honesty, if I did have a child or children, I would hope they would surpass my knowledge, the sooner the better.

Answer 15

I think it depends on the subject. We all learn about some subjects but others are determined by what interests the individual. My mother knows more about banking than I do because that is her field. My sons know more about mathematics than I do, because, frankly, I have no interest in nor talent for math. However, I will always know more about art than my children do because they couldn't care less about the subject.

Answer 16

Are you kidding me?  He already has, in some areas!  :-)

That's the beauty of homeschooling.  I'm not his only teacher - not by a long shot - but his dad and I are completely in charge of his education.  Whatever resources, whatever mentors, whatever he needs, we get it for him.  There is a world of knowledge right at his fingertips...we just allow him to access it.

He amazes me, plain and simple, every day.  My son is only 10, and already he amazes me.  There is still plenty that his dad and I have left to teach him, but thankfully, he's not limited to only what we know.  The sky's the limit.

I just feel sorry for the people who think that they can only learn what their teachers know...I would hope their teachers would be the first to tell them to branch out and go beyond just what is taught in the classroom.  Teachers, like parents, are there to be a source of guidance and inspiration, not the be-all and end-all source of knowledge on every subject.  That is what my son knows, that's how he lives his life and learns, and there are times he truly does amaze me.

Answer 17

I totally agree...

I consider my self a smart cookie..

But I am so glad my son is the wit he is... he is 9..

and out smarts me so many times...

and it is neat the things he knows..

Sometimes I wonder if I used to know those things and just hoped I forgot..LOL

Answer 18

The best teachers teach their students how to learn.  If they do that, the students are assured of the potential to exceed their teachers' (content) knowledge.

Answer 19

Both of my parents were pretty smart and I've out paced their knowledge (132 IQ) and have a lot more to learn. I'm fairly certain that my first born won't come close to me. I'm hoping that my 2nd born and future children will.

BTW, knowledge or intelligence does not mean better. I would never consider myself better than my father. He was a hard act to try and follow.

Answer 20

Although i am not a supporter of home schooling, it is completely naive to believe that parents who home school rely only on their own personal knowledge in teaching their children.  There are numerous outside resources such as manuals, computer programs, etc. that can push these children beyond the knowledge that is generated from their parents.

Answer 21

Being home schooled doesn't mean spending your time with your parents 24/7. Children are always exposed to different environments, perspectives, and ideas; Regardless.

I'm sure they go out once in a while, and watch TV or go online, or listen to the radio..music..etc.

Come on. It's the 21st century!

Answer 22

She already knows things I don't. She certainly knows things I didn't at her age. My goal is to learn along with her, but it is my hope that the student will surpass the master.

What is funny about the comment that HS kids will never know more than their parents is that I was Public Schooled. If my child were public schooled as well, wouldn't she be receiving the same education I received?

The different perspectives comment is even funnier. Everyone is so homogenized in PS. Christians have to tone it down. Atheists have to tone it down. Pagans, the transgendered and g**s are completely closeted. When you get to know people in their own living rooms, you meet the real person. We have an aunt who believes there were no dinosaurs. We have a friend who is a drag queen. I think it is safe to say that right there are two perspectives on life that you will not be exposed to in public school.

Answer 23

I laughed when I read that. I mean, honestly, does that mean students are restricted to only knowing what their teachers can teach them? Good grief. It's the typical modern, dependent learner mentality. "Teach me, because I don't know how to learn on my own."

Answer 24

I homeschool my two boy's.  To be honest I am learning a lot of stuff along with them.  As they get older they will be doing a lot of independent study.  So I would hope they would have more knowledge than me as they got older.  It's not like I keep my kids in a box all day to learn.  I am learning along with them on this journey of homeschooling.  There is just so much resources out there now for homeschooling.  Besides when is learning really over and done with?

Answer 25

We hope so, although we will never stop learning along side them, and from them.

Like my children, my husband and I are to inquisitive, curious, and a read-a-holics.

We have told our children, "when the student becomes the teacher you are done"; not really :)

Learning is a life long endeavor, and growing in knowledge has no finish line.

Personally I never thought I surpassed my parents in knowledge, or experience, I was simply able to built on what they taught me.

By interacting with people of all ages, and back grounds, being able to discuss things freely, learning to listen to others, debate them, and learning the art of agreeing to disagree as well as what it takes/took to strike a compromise was the best education one can give their children.

As for academics, if you can read, and comprehend what you are reading, you can learn anything you put your mind too.

Answer 26

I know a bit more about society than my parents do. I told my mom what a metrosexual was...

Answer 27

I'm not a brilliant homeschooler.  I am an average mom who is still learning.  

Yes. The statement is rather ..silly.  

I guess they think that when kids graduate from public school that they have learned everything their teachers know and understand all the perspectives of every person in the school.  I guess they think that the many friends they make in the classroom will remain friends with them for the rest of their lives.  They must think that because they think these things cannot be done outside of the classroom.

I am almost 55 years old.  I am working on knowing as much as my parents know.  I am glad that I don't need to be in a classroom to learn these things.

Answer 28

The question is not based on knowledge of how homeschooling is done; it is not done in isolation and parents use many resources to homeschool, i.e., my 8-year-old son will soon be taking a percussion class at a music conservatory, a sports training class at a park district, and an art class at the local library.  Just because I can't teach him certain subjects does not mean that he won't have an opportunity to learn them.

I am a homeschooling mom, and I am still constantly amazed at the things my son knows that I never taught him.  He is a brilliant child, has a great aptitude for math and science (his father's genes) and a great aptitude for writing/literature (my genes).  I teach him much about English, grammar, literature, etc.  Math is not my first love, but I can certainly teach my child math through 7th or 8th grade.  When he is ready to take higher level math, I will enroll him in a math class, an online tutoring program, or hire a tutor; there are many possibilities.

I hope this answer is helpful.

Answer 29

ya its normal i surpassed my mom in math and im 13 hahaha she is dumb but i love her..

when i dont get something in excel math she goes to a book or asks my dad to help me or someone else..

i surpass my mom in english and grammar to which i have a b in hahaha

Answer 30

Yea I dont have kids but when I do, they will be smarter than me. I will do everything in my power to know that they will be well off in life. (in every way)