With the rise of online and remote learning, you may be considering whether going back to in-person schooling is a good option for your child, or if it may be better to homeschool them permanently. Homeschooling has become more popular during the COVID-19 pandemic, but even without that context, many parents choose to take their children out of school.
However, there are several advantages and limitations of homeschooling that you should consider before taking action with your child.
Pros
- Flexibility. You can tailor the schedule and workload to your child’s needs and make adjustments at any time. You can even change the order of the lessons to work better for your child and their interests.
- Freedom. You will have more freedom to choose the teaching and learning experience for your child. You can incorporate travel, religious teachings, and anything else you want your child to prioritize in their education. You can also teach home skills like repair and maintenance, sewing, cooking, and other essential life skills.
- Personalization. Since you only have your child in your class, you can tailor the learning experience to their needs and interests. You can also make sure the speed is just right for them so they are challenged without becoming overwhelmed or frustrated.
- Relationship building. Because you will be in charge of your child’s educational experience, you will have much more time to bond with them. You can enjoy planning and having positive learning experiences with your child, and can even enjoy “field trips” with them whenever you want.
Cons
- Workload. By homeschooling, you are taking on two full-time roles: parent and teacher. These are a lot of work by themselves, so by combining them, you are doubling your workload in a given day. As a result, you may find that you don’t have much time for yourself or your own needs.
- Too much time together. Because you are spending so much time with your child, it may end up being too much time. Spending too much time with your child may make them feel confined.
- Bias from the community. There are plenty of people who are against homeschooling, and they may make negative comments to you.
- Missed opportunities. There are things included in an in-person school that your child may miss out on with homeschooling. Things like social interactions or learning collaboratively with their peers is important for their development. A school may also have access to resources that you don’t.
Whether you are considering homeschooling for your child, adding extracurriculars and enrichment is helpful for their educational development. At Genie Academy, your child will have the opportunity to grow their skills in a classroom environment, getting helpful feedback from the teachers and their peers. When the world has finished recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic, you may still want to homeschool your child. Make sure you discuss the options with your child and your family to make sure it’s right for you.
Source: https://www.theedadvocate.org/the-advantages-and-limitations-of-homeschooling/
