Arguments for homeschooling

[christagious]

I have a 7 month old daughter and I plan on having 3 to 4 more in the future. I would really like to homeschool them but I have a few questions. First, my fiance seems to be fairly supportive of the idea, she's not against it, but I'll need a little help convincing her. Problem is, she's not political at all, she's voting for Ron Paul because I want her to, if not for that she wouldn't vote, so I can't use the "indoctrication/brainwashing" argument to convince her of homeschooling. So what other benefits are there for homeschooling other than that?

And some other concerns (SOME OF THESE MAY SOUND DUMB, but are legitimate questions:

I go to college and haven't met one student who was homeschooled, are homeschooled students capable of going to college, are they allowed?

What about social interaction, etc? I've heard that homeschooled kids aren't as social and are shyer than other kids. Also, how can my daughter make friends if we don't know anybody since she wouldn't be going to a school?

How hard is it to properly homeschool a child? I knew of a couple of people who were "homeschooled" but they did absolutely nothing, they were basically dropouts. How can somebody properly homeschool?


Any other benefits and arguments for homeschooling would be greatly appreciated.

 

[nate895]

As far as college goes, they are now currently accepting an extremely high percentage of home schoolers, I can't find an exact statistic, however.

With being social, it is only a problem if you don't make sure they have friends who go to public school and you don't expose them to TV and culture.

With proper homeschooling, try to instill a thirst for knowledge in a child at an early age and they can school themselves for the most part (I did in my 1.5 years of homeschooling, I'd finish all of my assignments from the charter school for the year in a week).

The biggest benefit to homeschooling: If your child actually wants to learn, they will learn more in an hour than they do in a week of school. All school does for me is give me work that hinders time that mostly would be dedicated to learning things I don't already know. However, many school districts offer ways to go to school for a period or two a day to learn things like a foreign language or advanced math and science.

 

[molly_pitcher]

My son goes to a private school and a large number of them are homeschooled.

They recommened small private colleges for homeschooled kids. It avoids that "little fish in a big pond" feeling. I have not heard of any difficulties from the homeschooled kids going to college, as long as they don't jump into too large a university right away.

 

[Agent CSL]

Homeschooling can be a blessing and a challenge. I am 18, and I've been half homeschooled (I'll explain later) since 7th grade. My sister's been homeschooled since 1st grade. I'm in the very unique position to offer you advice and share my own experiences with homeschooling.

Some parents who rely on public school, I feel, they rely on the "I can start my kid in school at X age and they will be taken care of by Y age" and that is a farce! Parents who are like that doom their children to a life of struggle and pain. Learning starts with experience and it doesn't end.

Public school is very outcome-based and it's been dumbed down to a level I find shocking. Instead of learning the basics, most schools have been bullied (by funding) into teaching kids the answers to the tests. They'll learn a unit in math, take a test, then be done with it. Some children get bored because they can't get ahead, and some get left behind. Very few of them are satisfied and by middle school they lose interest and become wrapped up in social politics. That is why I left middle school. All my old middle school happened to be was a robot factory. Get them in, get them out, let them fight over relationships and push medicine on them when they get dissatisfied with the system.

After "dropping" from middle school in 7th grade I went through a bit of a re-education. Homeschooling was satisfying to me. I could learn what I wanted, when I wanted. But my parents were concerned with my social development (even in public school I was very shy.)

We found a charter school, it was a homeschool-based parent partnership program. It was still ran by the district, but wasn't required by the state to report test scores, except for the WASL, which students and parents could protest.

So here I was in 8th grade in a charter school, PPP, homeschool-based. I loved it! If you can find a program similar to this it might be worth investigating. In programs like this the parents still have control over all the curriculum, but there are certified teachers to help tutor or school your child. Everything's out in the open. At least in my experience. Very free, very open.

In the case you want to fully homeschool I'll get back on track. It's challenging to teach children the basics if you do not know how. You might need help when it comes to this point. Phonics is an important part of development, yet it's hard to teach.

Shyness and social issues, I think, can be solved through youth groups. Christian youth groups, 4H, girl/boy scouts. These are wholesome youth groups that will engage your child into some kind of community involvement. Groups like 4H have different clubs for different interests.

When your child is young, take him or her to community parks every once in awhile. When he or she gets older, look for youth groups and ask if you can come to a group meeting as a guest and see if you think it's right, then join.

I have a strict belief that things are best learned through EXPERIENCE. Except for matters of safety (which may be more difficult - you obviously don't want to have your kid touch the stove to prove it's hot), experience is key. Do not neglect the senses. Let your child make a huge mess with paint (outside), let her have different kool-aid flavors to try out.... When she gets older, teach her math through grocery shopping (that's how I initially learned).

There's a lot of things you can teach in everyday life and it's enjoyable. It's not all books and assignments. Life is a learning experience and one that doesn't stop after some man with a funny hat tells you that you have "passed."


As for colleges and universities. I have not had any trouble with this. There's a program in my state called Running Start and a lot of homeschooled kids I know go to it. There is a growing number of grants for homeschooled teens, and if the USA doesn't mess up, I expect the list of opportunities to keep growing.

The key to having successful homeschooling is to keep your child interested through experience and involvement, and fairly disciplined. You may need help and advice down the road.

Now I'm no expert on this subject, but hey, I speak through experience - one of the key learning factors I've explained above. See how it all fits?

 

[Agent CSL]

Oh, I must add this. In public school I was extremely shy. It wasn't until 8th grade, during the homeschool/charter school that I had an opportunity to be myself and feel less intimidated. In fact, by the end of 11th grade I had been team captain TWICE on a school team and now I'm probably the youngest delegate in my county.

So I feel it's kind of luck of the draw. Yes, social development will be a real concern, but if your child is naturally shy like I was, homeschooling might be the best way for her to bloom and be herself without intimidation. Of course this might have problems down the road when "real life" hits, but a little bit of competition through youth groups can help that. 4H can be a very brutal organization during state fairs and whatnot.

 

[10thAmendmentMan]

The most important reason: your kid can get taught at his own personalized pace. Public schools these days (in the name of "self esteem") teach to the absolute lowest common denominator, because teaching the smart kids at a smart kid pace would make the slower kids feel bad about themselves... Plus, there isn't as much time wasted on disciplinary issues, etc. so your kid's learning time will actually be spent learning rather than a very expensive, government-subsidized daycare. Looking back on my public school (non-)education, I can honestly say that everything I learned in my three years of middle school would have, had I not been subjected to so much redundancy and constant wastes of time, taken me at most seven months. There's nothing as demoralizing as looking back on a year of school and realizing that other than your math class and a few tidbits here and there, you've literally learned not one substantial thing inside school.

As for social issues, dropping a bunch of children in a big box and expecting them to just figure out on their own how to behave around people isn't alway necessarily the best route. To me, it seems like team sports, other group activities, and the occasional tutor for specific subjects (such as a foreign language with which you are unfamiliar) ought to get him used to being around other people. Just take the effort to teach him properly and he'll do better than most kids.

 

[nate895]

Some children get bored because they can't get ahead, and some get left behind.

I am right there, I go to school, I learn something in Spanish and math, and maybe science, but the rest of the day I am bored out of my mind getting lectured about crap I already know.

My brother is the and in that sentence and it really is sad.

 

[LEK]

I homeschool both of my kids (12 yo boy, 16 yo girl).
Is it hard work? - yup - but I wouldn't have it any other way.

My daughter is quite a motivated learner but a gentle spirit. She went to Private Christian schools through 3rd grade and HATED it because of the nonsense that goes on between kids. She is a very sweet young lady and happy as a clam to be learning at home.

My son's personality is quite the opposite. He is very people-oriented and very BUSY. In other words - a typical boy. I venture to guess if he were in public school they would demand he be put on Ritalin. Over my dead body. He loves to be outdoors and pretend play, loves animals and researching nature. I give him lots of time to do this BUT I also am teaching him that there are times to sit and listen.

It's called training up a child in the way he should go.

So - as a parent YOU get to determine how your kids learn and teach them in that manner. You also get to spend precious time with them. They will be grown before you know it and you'll ask yourself, "What happened?"

Your name implies you are a Christian? If so, seek the Lord in prayer and you will know beyond a shadow of a doubt if you are called to homeschool.
I was dead-set against it - the Lord literally changed my heart. I can look back now and see why - He loves my kids - this is what is best for them.

As far as college - I just read on a homeschool e-mail loop about a girl who got accepted to Harvard - they were thrilled to have her. Many homeschool students go to college.

As far as the socialization issue - that's a complete myth. They will be as socialized as you allow them to be. There are many, many things you can do to get your kids out of the house. The beauty is that YOU get to choose those things and often partake in them as well.

Consider this excerpt:

For instance, public school children are confined to a classroom for at least 180 days each year with little opportunity to be exposed to the workplace or to go on field trips. The children are trapped with a group of children their own age with little chance to relate to children of other ages or adults. They learn in a vacuum where there are no absolute standards. They are given little to no responsibility, and everything is provided for them. The opportunity to pursue their interests and to apply their unique talents is stifled. Actions by public students rarely have consequences, as discipline is lax and passing from grade to grade is automatic. The students are not really prepared to operate in the home (family) or the workplace, which comprise a major part of the "real world" after graduation.


Homeschoolers, on the other hand, do not have the above problems. They are completely prepared for the "real world" of the workplace and the home. They relate regularly with adults and follow their examples rather than the examples of foolish peers. They learn based on "hands on" experiences and early apprenticeship training. In fact, the only "socialization" or aspect of the "real world" which they miss out on by not attending the public school is unhealthy peer pressure, crime, and immorality. Of course, the average homeschooler wisely learns about these things from afar instead of being personally involved in crime or immorality or perhaps from being a victim.

http://www.hslda.org/docs/nche/000000/00000068.asp

There is a whole host of information online regarding homeshooling. Lots of local help via e-mail loops or co-ops. It's really quite fun and a wonderful adventure you get to share with your children.

I wish you the best in your decision.

 

[Fox McCloud]

What about social interaction, etc? I've heard that homeschooled kids aren't as social and are shyer than other kids. Also, how can my daughter make friends if we don't know anybody since she wouldn't be going to a school?

This is one of the myths constantly perpetuated by those supporting government education (ie: public schools). There are often homeschool co-ops in an area, where you can meet up with other home-school students, and socialize with them--sometimes there are only a few classes and groups, and other times, there are a very large number of them. That's one way she can make friend. Another is church, of course (if you do that, that is)--there's always a large amount of people to meet there. Of course, there's also your neighbors, people you might randomly meet, etc.

Are they shyer than public school kids? It just depends on the individual--I've seen homeschooled students that were just as obnoxious and rowdy as regular school kids...I've seen shy ones, smart ones, lazy ones, stupid ones, and genius ones--it's just like the public school system--all individuals are different.

How hard is it to properly homeschool a child? I knew of a couple of people who were "homeschooled" but they did absolutely nothing, they were basically dropouts. How can somebody properly homeschool?

It can be difficult, especially in high-school...none-the-less, it takes a LOT of hard-work, a huge amount of commitment, and pure dedication. The main thing is that you need a really good curriculum (and if it's one tailored to Homeschoolers, that can relieve some of the head-ache), and planning everything out. If your child turns out to be very studious, all you may need to do is provide a lesson plan and help with general things--with some other kids, you may have to help them out a lot (as I said, all individuals are different).

 

[Independent Operator]

my wife and i plan to home school our 16 month old for 3 main reasons.

1. we don't want the garbage they teach in schools - it is pure garbage. my wife and i both hold advanced science degrees (she has an MS in biology, and mine is an MS in agriculture) there is NO subject that we are not qualified to teach our child all the way through high school.

2. we want to secure the safety of our child - there will be NO columbines in our house; NO pedophile teachers; and definitely NO allegiance to the state.

3. the socialization argument is a total red herring. unless your child never goes out of the house for any reason, he will be socialized.

if you go to any school anywhere in the world you will find students that do NOT socialize with anybody. you know: the loners. i didn't socialize at all during school hours. i waited until after school to socialize with my real friends. i attended parochial school so my schoolmates didn't even live near me or each other.

so, the "socialization" argument is just another silly statist argument that holds no water.

 

[Meatwasp]

My husband and I homeschooled our three sons in the 60s. My husband had a teachers credential and he was a very intelligent man. He never grabbed tools away from the boys and had patience with them. They are all grown men now and know all kinds of things . They are electronic nerds and can cast water wheel cups and were all Ham Radio operaters. They were shy but not anymore. Ha! Everyone always comments how smart they are. We got tons of books on everything we could find for them. They loved everything connected to home schooling. They never got into smoking drugs or alkahol

 

[clouds]

I was homeschooled 1st through 5th grade, and I wouldn't trade it for anything the public schools could throw at me. I don't really feel like you need to homeschool high school if you do a good job with those grades. Teach them how to learn, not how to memorize.

Also, it allows you to be interactive in your education in a way public schools simply will never be. My favorite thing in my 3rd grade was a bug collection we did on our own. Plus you get to raise your own kids, not some strangers who usually are just getting out of college.

 

[nate895]

I was homeschooled 1st through 5th grade, and I wouldn't trade it for anything the public schools could throw at me. I don't really feel like you need to homeschool high school if you do a good job with those grades. Teach them how to learn, not how to memorize.

Also, it allows you to be interactive in your education in a way public schools simply will never be. My favorite thing in my 3rd grade was a bug collection we did on our own. Plus you get to raise your own kids, not some strangers who usually are just getting out of college.

I hope "edumacation" is different in Louisiana than in Washington, because high school is crap up here.

 

[clouds]

Oh, if it wasn't for a few teachers that actually enjoy teaching and aren't just teachers(my physics teacher was a geologist who wanted to teach kids), it would be crap.

edit: i mean it would all be crap, not just the majority.

 

[nate895]

Oh, if it wasn't for a few teachers that actually enjoy teaching and aren't just teachers(my physics teacher was a geologist who wanted to teach kids), it would be crap.

edit: i mean it would all be crap, not just the majority.

I get maybe one good teacher a year, but at least two horrid ones.

 

[Agent CSL]

Nate, how far away are you from Monroe, WA? Check out Sky Valley Education Center.

 

[pinkmandy]

I'd love to see a good argument for public education. Would there be arguments more substantive than "friends" and "free daycare"?

 

[clouds]

Well, it does offer education to everyone, although it's not particularily what anyone would want to call education...

 

[clouds]

You know, the most important thing I learned in homeschooling was how to learn without an outside force telling me to.

 

[pinkmandy]

Well, it does offer education to everyone, although it's not particularily what anyone would want to call education...

That's too vague and is no different than daycare. Give me specific reasons why I should send my kids to public school. Why are they the best option for educating our youth and if they aren't then why are we sending them there?