How do you feel about home schooling?

Question

My son is 3 years old. He hasn't been in daycare, or pre school yet, but he already knows how to write and type his own name, count to 20, say his ABC's, and he has a great vocabulary. I'm keeping my options open to both home schooling, and public school.

I would like to hear any comments about both.

Answer 1

Home education rox!

I'm 15 and, along with my siblings, have been home educated all my life. I would not swap it for school for anything and will be home educating my own children when I have them.

EDIT: You may want to bear in mind the following when considering the opinions of posters who are anti-homeschooling...

Quote: |"During the course of my research, the 100-plus (home educated) children I have talked with so far certainly appear to be independent, socially skilled and mature."|

(Dr Alan Thomas, Visiting Fellow at the University of London Institute of Education and formerly at the Northern Territory University, Darwin, Australia)

Quote: |27 per cent (of homeschooling parents) actually had no post school education at all and yet their children were attaining higher levels than their school counterparts who were taught by trained teachers|

Source: http://www.dur.ac.uk/p.j.rothermel/Resea...

It's a very interesting [and impartial] article about home schooling from the University of Durham in England - you might want to have a read of it.

It also points out, as is so often demonstrably obvious around this board that: 'Home-educators are often stereotyped by concerned professionals and others who make statements based upon their beliefs rather than research'.

Answer 2

Homeschooling is a great idea if you want to condemn your child to a sheltered life of lonliness and underachievement.  Folks have established "homeschooling groups" where these non-schoolers can socialize, but they don't socialize with kids who are different.  Christians need to socialize with people who are not like them, if only to better understand the world.  Being different isn't just about Nike and Reebok - it's about being different at the core, and homeschoolers never get that diversity, particularly religious homeschoolers.

Underachievement is another dreadful curse of homeschooling.  Sure, there is coursework you can purchase in every subject, and many folks think that some curricula are "a grade ahead" (which is just plain c**p).  The truth is this - if you're not a literal scholar in every subject that your child studies, how will you be able to assist them with problems that aren't in the book?  How will you answer your son's science questions when he starts to think on his own but the answers aren't in the book?  

In public schools, you get experts - individuals who have studied for between 2-4 years in one topic area alone.  This type of expertise cannot be provided by most parents.  If you want to ensure a role in your child's successful education, work with his teachers closely - they love parents that are involved and that care about their children.

Answer 3

I home school my 17 year old son since he was 8 years old. Home schooling isn't for everyone and I do not promote it. It has worked for my son. I was able to focus on the areas he was interested in. He learns better from hands on learning.

Answer 4

I plan to homeschool my children after I go to college.

I'm only going to college for my father.  Seems like a bad reason, but sometimes, it's important to do things for others.

After spending 14 years in public school, I decided a long time ago that I would not put my kids through it.

Answer 5

Its the only way to go  and I am encouraging my SIL and daughter to consider this option. I don't want my grandchildren 'indoctrinated' by what is being passed off as public education.

It isn't even education any more.

Answer 6

How about I share most of an answer I typed up just yesterday on the advantages I feel our family has in homeschooling?

---

I  find some of the advantages for our family are as follows (keep in mind that what is an advantage to us is how our family is and how we go about homeschooling):

ACADEMIC

My kids get to work at their own pace in every subject, can follow their interests, can do things in the way they learn best.

This means that my son (7), who's taking a bit longer to warm up to reading and really get it, can keep going his pace and I know it'll click completely when he's really ready. He won't have to be put in the reading group for the less able readers, he won't feel stupid seeing other kids around him who are reading better, etc. At the same time, it means that he can keep moving ahead with math, something he enjoys--but often prefers doing it orally, which works just fine for me--and spend lots of time looking through science books or having me read them to him, etc.

For my dd (10), it means that she can spend hours reading or writing stories, she can do math things that she enjoys, like integers and square roots, and still take some working on things she finds frustrating, like long multiplication and division (yeah, go figure! I take back ever saying that math is sequential), she can work on projects she is interested in--so much more learning going on that way than doing a project simply because a teacher has required it. It means also that she has stayed interested in learning--she started reading and doing math at age 3 and I'm sure would have found K/1 boring and would not have been able to love learning since there would have been nothing to learn!

Also, they get help when they need it and it doesn't take nearly as long as in school to accomplish the same amount of work/learning.

SOCIALLY

My kids have the advantage of meeting a variety of people of different ages. While my son can still be rather shy (but that's him--he started stranger anxiety at 6 months and by 1 year, was screaming then turning his head away from strangers!), they are both usually fairly comfortable at meeting new kids, being in new places. It's not like that at school, where you have the same kids and adults day after day. Each time we're at a homeschooling activity, there are different people, different ages. It's totally normal to them. They don't care how old someone is and will play with anybody they connect with--even if the person is 5 years older! :)

Socially, it also means that I can see what's going on and guide them appropriately. I might observe something and say later on, "You know, I noticed such-and-such. What did you think about that? What other things could've been done?" It also means that I can prepare my kids to behave in a certain way based on something from a previous experience. "So, how do we talk here? What do we do when...?" I feel it's so much better than simply expecting a bunch of kids to figure it all out on their own. And face it, in a school, the primary social models kids have are each other--not exactly mature behaviour for them to learn to emulate.

FAMILY

My kids are very close. I can't think of any families I grew up with where siblings, 3 years apart, and certainly not different genders, were actually friends during their elementary years. My kids are great friends. Sure, they get the whole sibling thing going at times, but that's life and familiy. They get lots of practice in problem solving. :) And learn patience and acceptance.

I also get to raise my kids. I didn't have kids so that I would send them off to someone else to raise part-time for 13 years. They also see family as important, more important than friends. I think that's how it should be. Friends have their place, but friends' opinion and their importance should not outweigh the family's.

OTHER

I think we have a far less stressful lifestyle than if they had to go to school each day, spend the day there, come home with homework, get their homework done, fit in any activities they may be enrolled in and in bed ready for the next day. With homeschooling, my kids don't need to spend 7 hours doing work and add on homework and activities. Our mornings are our focused school time and afternoons are open for free exploration, play, field trips, lessons, homeschool activities, etc. They still have weekend swimming lessons--community-based, not homeschooling, before anybody decides to say my kids only come in contact with other homeschoolers--but they have no homework, no projects, no book reports or any of that they have to fit in.

They also aren't growing up in an environment where all kinds of questionable things are present: attitudes, bullying, severe competitiveness, lock-downs, at times teachers who shouldn't be teaching or kids who should have been suspended but the school won't because each child means $$ from the government (yes, it happens--I'm a former teacher and my dh still teaches) and more. Like jr. high boys spraying Axe deodorant on their arms and lighting it on fire. Or kids in gr. 5 bragging about how they made-out with so-and-so. And so on.

I could probably say a lot more!

Answer 7

I home school and found it to be positive for me and my children.  They get 1 on 1 and I get I get the blessing of teaching my own children.  It gives you the responsibility to teach your own children and be accountable for their schooling.  Home schooling is not for everyone. You must be disciplined and organized.  Home schooling is not for everyone but on the other hand neither is public school.  This is definitely a personal decision a family must make.

Answer 8

I think that there are plenty of pros and cons about home schooling...

The great thing about home schooling is that you can work on your own child's level - if he is a quick learner, you can move faster with him (and visa versa) - However, in a public classroom, the teacher has to move with the majority of the class (which may be faster or slower than what your son needs). However, there are many programs in public schools that are meant to target slower or faster learners in order to maximize their learning. In the homeschooling environment, the parent holds more of the control.

I think the biggest "con" is the social aspect of public schools. Learning in a larger environment with more people can help to socialize your son. Of course I'm not saying he would never be around other children if you homeschooled, but in a regular school system he would be able to develop a dependable friendship and relationship with other children. He will also be able to be more exposed to group work and group exercises.

Of course I could go on and on about this, but I really stated the two largest arguments (in my eyes)... I would just suggest really thinking about what would be best for your family and your son... and remember, that a transition would be hard later on down the line (taking him out of public schools, or moving from homeschooling to a public school - both would be very difficult)

Answer 9

An isolated home school environment puts a student at a great disadvantage. Here's why.  Some people who home school their own children are not qualified teachers. In turn they have limited teaching strategies, experience, training, exposure to constant professional development opportunities, courses and conferences.  

It's not advantageous for a child to be in the company of their parent all day.  It is extremely important for a child to be exposed to a peer group during important years of cognitive development since the brain is creating neural pathways and becomes hardwired in our early twenties. There is a good article from TIME about what the brain and how it works which may help you to decide what you want to expose your child to when he/she is at a certain age.

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/articl...



Home schooling only paves the way for individual learning, which is only one type of learning strategy in a plethora of methods that are used to ensure a student gets the most holistic cognitive and social development. Cooperative learning strategies (debates, jigsaws etc.) are just a few methods that teachers use to help a student gain essential social strategies and tools. Most importantly, school provides a opportunity for children to gain a sense of community as well as develop conflict-managment and teamwork skills while having the opportunity to form invaluabe peer relationships.

If they are not exposed to this, then they are acquiring knowledge in a more limited capacity. As much as you can try, a home school environment does not expose a child to the variety of peers,  experiences and opportunities that a school provides. A child needs to develop a sense of "self" separate then their identity as their parent's child. This can only really be nurtured in a school environment.

I think it's great that you are researching this so early in your child's life. Good luck. Hope this adds insight.

Answer 10

Home schooling is a GREAT way to go, if you have the time to be your son's teacher. I've been homeschooled for the past 10 or so years, so maybe I'm a little prejudiced, but the interaction and values that children get from learning from and with their parents can't be replaced. It's a lot more hands-on for mothers and fathers, but very rewarding.

Answer 11

I think home schooling is a great option, especially if he already so advanced.  You can call the school district in your area to find out what you need to do.  Just make sure that he's involved some kind of activities with other children so he can develop the social skills he needs.

Answer 12

you are getting a lot of good advice here - both pros and some cons to consider.  I think the bottom line is to  decide what level of commitment you are willing to devote to it, and to see that your child does get good socialization.   There are families that suck at homeschooling and social skills, and there are families  that are great at both... and ones at all levels in between.  

I love homeschooling most days!  I had to be able to see my weaknesses as a teacher and be able to get help for my kids in areas that I couldn't help them in.   I also have to learn to be confident in what I am good at.  I love them like no other teacher can,  so that gives me a good leg up right there.    

good luck on making your decision!!

Answer 13

Homeschooling is great for me. My grades have improved a lot. I am homeschooling with the Ohio Virtual Academy and it's pretty easy. I work at my own pace, and do as many lessons I want. I work on my daily plans (only on weekdays of course.) and when I want to do more work just to get it over with, I do. It's exciting. Socialising is not a big deal.

I'm glad to hear about your son! It took me a while to learn my Abc's. I actually remember me in New Orleans with a big chalkboard in my living room trying to learn. And typing.. that's just amazing. I started typing 60wpm when I was around 8 years old.. Now I type around 120wpm. I've been around computers quite alot. I've used a Windows 3.1 when Windows 98 was around. Heh.

Answer 14

DO NOT--and I repeat DO NOT put your kid through homeschooling!! it is h**l if you are not constant and committed to making it an enjoyable experience, and trust me, it's hard to constantly stay motivated.

I homeschooled for a while and I HATED IT more then anything else I've ever hated in my entire LIFE! I did it at a young age, and at that age you're not really homeschooling for yourself...you're doing it simply because you're being told to. I mean, teachers go to COLLEGE and get DEGREES to teach, give them some credit! I don't see how teaching your child out of a book by yourself will make them more "advanced". It will also not make your average student more "advanced" to sit at home and read out of a book and do exercises. It's boring, monotonous, and unnecessary. Even at a young age, a child naturally is more social and will want to be among people of his own age.

So many moms make it seem like it's "all the rage" and really "la de da" to homeschool. It's honestly not. My mom was with it for a while...but it got boring. It gets boring. It's the same stuff every day. But don't get me wrong, you CAN successfully  homeschool, it just takes a h**l of a lot of effort, an effort most parent's cannot provide or simply give up on providing.

I went to a support group for other children my age, didn't help much as they were all...so self centered and stuck up, thinking they were all that because they sat on their *** all day at home and worked out of a textbook, instead of actively engaging in an education at school among people their own age. I didn't do anything else outside of school. I developed no friends or social skills until my return to public school in the 7th grade, which was h**l enough going into middle school with no friends, and trying to make some of the first ones I've ever made.

If you're worried about when your son grows up, they do have advanced classes in schools now. If he really actually is gifted, they can place him in advanced classes. Some of my friends started doing Algebra I in 5th or 6th grade, which is a common class for 8th graders. If he's smart, strings can be pulled. If he's smart, he'll succeed in public school. He'll have to learn to live in a system anyways--why not get him used to being in one at a young age? It was hard for me going from an unstructred environment back into public school.

bottom line...homeschooling really doesn't make your child all that more "advanced" then kids in public schools unless you actually KNOW what you're doing, and will ALWAYS be motivated to help your child EVERY DAY with succeeding, testing, reviewing, and TEACHING THEM for hours every day. It's really hard work. I'd say 90% of people who homeschool shouldn't be doing it. Public school would be better for your son to develop social interaction, because secluding him like that at such a young age by homeschooling him could really lead to some problems down the road. It did for me, and for other people in similar situations as myself.

so I STRONGLY recommend not homeschooling. If you're concerned about a school he may be going to that isn't that great, explore your options. Just please, think of your son's mental well being here too, not just his "education" and "how much he can succeed".

Answer 15

Do whats right, get your son a better education. Get him home schooled.

I wish I could, I would do anything to be in his shoes right now.

Answer 16

If your child is already excited about learning, then start teaching him! My parents started teaching my little brother how to read at age 3.

I have been homeschooled all my life. Homeschoolers have 1)flexibility, 2)more learning options, 3)a protection from being around a chaos of kids. If you homeschool your child, he will be able to explore what he is interested in, and learn things that are his level.

Of course, depending on what he likes, you will want to put him in a sport, debate club, etc. when he is older.

If you are wondering what your going to teach him with, how you are going to teach him, etc. there are tons of books and catalogues out there to help you with just that!

Answer 17

I vote for homeschooling, and I would suggest you homeschool your son for preschool as well.

Here is a comparison of homeschooling and public school.

http://www.successful-homeschooling.com/...

Your son will be able to learn at his own pace, he will be free from negative behaviors of other students, and he will have more time to pursue his interests.  

Statistics show that homeschoolers out perform public schooled students academically, regardless of how much money they spend on curriculum, or whether or not the teaching parent has even graduated from high school.  That's just how great homeschooling is!

http://www.hslda.org/docs/study/comp2001...

There are more facts & info about homeschooling below.

Answer 18

I think more public schools are realizing that there are better ways to educate.  They are getting involved in school at home because they know home schooling is working for many people.  

They do not realize that home schooling is working because the education is directed  by parents who know their children and create a curriculum to fit the needs of their children.

Schooling at home is better than brick and mortar classrooms but will not be able to duplicate the success of home schooling.

Answer 19

I was home-schooled and now I wouldn't have it any other way. The thing about home Ed that helps your child is the attention. In public schools the teachers attention is limited to how much time she has in-between you and 30 others. In home schooling you have all the one on one schooling you need. There are many different reactions to homeschooling and not every child is the same. I think some kids do better in public schools, either because of the way they learn or the situations at home. Some parent’s aren’t able; either do to work of their own knowledge, to teach the child. But it isn't as much work as one would think, as far as the curriculum. If you find the right source of books then your job will be relatively simple. Do not think that schooling your own child will be full of fun games and happy days. Lord knows I made my parents go through a lot when I was a kid (still am now) but in the end I think it was the smartest choice they made with us kids (one of the smartest). It will be difficult but ask yourself this; is your child's education and upbringing worth it to you or not? If so, then you will find the strength in the simple fact that you are doing your son a world of good. If not, then you would not be asking or considering this here.

Good luck and I hope you find your answer.

And as far as social skills; my neighbor used to think that home-schooled kids were socially crippled... then she met me. She is now considering putting her granddaughter in home-school because she sees how well I and my other HS friends turned out. She has been impressed with the way we can relate to people of our own age and to people older and younger. I am in no way socially crippled. All the jobs I have ever had, they have told me my strength is people skills. I am being considered for a management position because of my attitude and ability with people. This is not me trying to brag this is me trying to tear down the misconception of HS kids being unable to relate to people. It isn’t true. There are always exceptions. You cannot put one tack on title to everyone. I am sure there are those out there who are exactly what people think HSers are but for the most part I have seen little below excellent when it comes to well rounded kids coming out of HS life.

Answer 20

i myself went to public school,i would be inclined to think that a home schooled child doesnt pick up and nasty language or crazy habits .they would probably learn a lot more because they have a one on one teacher.yes i do like the idea of home schooling.

Answer 21

I think that is wonderful.  I can remember my first daughter at 23mo.  She knew her ABC's, shapes, colors and count to at least 10.  My children will never go into daycare if I can help it.   I love being at home and teaching them new things everyday.

It sounds like your son maybe gifted! Have you given that a thought?  He may get board in public school.  

I just started homeschooling this week!  OH! it's great.  We had fun and I'm looking forward to next week!!

Answer 22

Around age 2, it was evident that my son was going to need alternative schooling.  It was first mentioned by his public school district "Parents as Teachers" instructor, who said public school was *not* going to work for him.  She was right, and when he enrolled in the district's 4 y.o. preschool program, all of his teachers there said the exact same thing.  I'd never thought about HS'ing until then and boy was it a wake up call to know that HS'ing was pretty much the only option.  We started HS'ing while he was still in the preschool (totally bored) right after he turned five.  We haven't looked back since and he's almost 10.  :-)

I had the school district test him (IQ & Acheivement) at age 7 (at the end of what would have been the end of his PS 1st grade yr) and the tests showed he was profoundly gifted.  At this point the district *still* agreed with our decision and said they could do nothing for him, short of putting him in middle school (don't think so - at 7????).

It sounds like you've been HS'ing your son since birth anyway :-).  I'd continue what you're doing and I think you'll find he'll be too smart for Kdg.  :-)  Start researching methods and curricula now...which is what you're doing asking this.  Yay, you!

Don't listen to all the naysayers on this board (or anywhere else for that matter!).  Questions like this always bring out the anti-homeschooling trolls.  You won't find HS'ers going on the public school boards bashing them, or anyone's choice of education.  My son is incredible with people of *all* ages b/c he's out in the community most days - interacting with people.  He cannot stand to be around most of his PS friends.  Naysayers think we lock our kids up all day with textbooks and never let them see the light of day.  That's ludacris!!!

I would seriously look into your school district's gifted education program - it may be nill.  If so, then you'll want to consider HS'ing.  Also, only commit to HS'ing for one year at first and know you can always change your mind.  The public school door will always be open (or the reverse - you can always pull him out if you try it).

Kudos to you for thinking about this *now*.  I made the mistake of thinking "oh, the other kids will catch up" and I didn't start looking into options until I had little time to do it (I'm a datahead - six months was not long enough - ha!)

PS - search the Q&A's here by me and other active posters and you'll get all sorts of info :-)

Answer 23

I have home schooled all my life! I love it, my whole family loves it. I have six siblings we have all been home schooled all are lives, except now my oldest brother is in collage.

  We have 1. been closer as a family

2. have  been able to have so many advantages in schooling. For example I can do extra learning on stuff I enjoy, you can have your son go slower or faster on schoolwork depending on if he really has the stuff down or needs extra work on something. And he can study quietly  with out a bunch of kids next to you ( something which will really be a help when he gets older and does harder stuff).

3.  You can give him the love, attention, and care that the teacher cannot

4. You can use library books and interesting games to teach him instead of just using boring textbooks. Why you can get off boring text books completly if you want too. And that really makes learning more fun.

  I love homeschooling, and I still have lots of friends! We are in a homeschool chess club at our library right now, there are homeschool classes and groups you and your son can participate in. So don't think if your son is home schooled he will be " socially out"

But some good things about public schooling are

1. He can see his friends every single day

2. You can work or be more relaxed during the day while he is at school.

3.  And you usually don't have to cook lunch for to many people.

Answer 24

Well in general I think home schooling is ok for some but others need more social interaction. When they are really young like 4, 5 ,6 & 7 they are learning how to interact with other kids in a postitive way. I would say regular school because interaction with peers is really important.

Answer 25

I want to preface my answer my saying that I do have the utmost respect for teachers, and plan to teach at the university level after I complete my M.A. program. However... many people have remarked that most parents are not capable of teaching their children, and that public school teachers are uniquely qualified to do so. While this would be true in some cases, it really isn't in all cases. One of my mom's friends is a private school teacher (1st grade), and she has told me that her school only requires an A.A. (!) to teach. This means that there are teachers there, responsible for a child's education, who have gone to school approximately 2 years more than parents, and who more than likely have not specialized in anything, but rather finished a general education program. Furthermore, when this same friend was going to school for her B.A., I frequently did her homework for her - and I was 14. Oh, and I was "unschooled" from K-12th grade. So essentially, an unschooled 14 year old could do better work than a 20-something year old college graduate in charge of a classroom. Although many teachers are uniquely qualified to teach, letters after a person's name does not mean they know any more than the parents of a child.

Answer 26

We homeschool and we love it!

The socialization myth is trotted out constantly but there is no truth behind it. My daughter is playing on the trampoline with a friend right now. We had a friend with us for lunch twice and a downtown walk with a friend this week. We had a friend over for yoga today. My daughter takes martial arts classes with other kids once each week. We don't live in a vacuum! We're picking up another friend and going to the library to return books and play video games later. After that, we're going out to another friend's house to play board games and watch Kung-Fu movies. We may bring one of the kids home to stay the weekend. Who knows? We plan to see Macbeth Saturday. We are always on the go. My daughter has so many more opportunities for play now that we are not caught up in the public school system.

Does she learn? Yes! Today she focused on Sign Language and Geometry. She also did a little light reading. She had Yoga for PE and I expect Cranium will give her brain a mini-workout tonight too.

EDIT: To rebut Calstan: My husband and I are college educated. Even if we were not, we could read the instructions and teaching materials because we are literate thinking humans. Plenty of brilliant people never attended college. There is nothing wrong with that. For instance, I am rotten at working with cars. I'm sure glad my mechanic went to trade school and learned his trade well. Any parents can teach their kids just as well as I can. Frankly often times they can do much better than a professional can. Why? Because you cannot pay people enough to truly care about or to know your child. The teacher is new every year. They may know nothing of your child's learning style. Also 1 teacher per every 25 students means less attention for all the students. My kid gets 1 on 1. He also assumes we all have the same religion and that somehow a religion prevents people from socializing outside of that religion. What, is faith like a magic bubble that keeps you from talking to other shoppers at the store or kids at the library? I just don’t think it works that way and frankly I think that Calstan is bigoted against not only all homeschool families, but all Christians as well. We are not Christian, but we hang with every flavor of Christian from Church of Christ and Primitive Baptist to Catholics. Our child's godmothers are lesbians. Our friend’s ages range from 3 to 70 and are black, white, Hispanic etc. We've got so much diversity we risk being a cliche' Beneton ad! But that is ok by us. We like it that way. Ya know what? If we didn't want that, it would be our choice and that would be fine too. That is the beauty of personal liberty. It  makes me smile just thinking about it.

Answer 27

Social Skills are not learned in public schools. Social skills are learned by adults.  

I WOULD RECOMEND READING :

JOHN GATTO

DUMBING US DOWN

this is an excellent book about public school.