1. Homeschooling fosters a strong sibling relationship
2. Homeschooling improves the parent/child relationship; the family experiences unity, closeness, and mutual enjoyment of each other as they spend more time together.
3. Homeschooled kids are healthy – they aren’t exposed to as many sick children
4. We can have the best times of the day together, not just the loose ends (before school, after school, winding down, bedtime)
5. Not clockbound – learning can happen any time, any place. We can take the time to work on interesting projects as they come up. Time to engage in activities which are meaningful that there might not be time/energy for if they went to school
6. Homeschooled kids socialize well with people of all ages, are not set on age-mates - they treat people as individuals, not members of groups
7. Immune to peer pressure – not afraid to be different
8. Interest-initiated learning leads to learning subject matter that schools might consider beyond their abilities
9. Less family stress
10. Homeschooled kids see what adult life if all about, they see adults at work, including their parents
11. Independent learners, resourceful about learning what they want to know
12. Homeschooling fosters problem solving skills
13. Builds confidence
14. Home gives a natural, safe, and productive learning environment
15. Parents know their children and can give them a personal approach to learning
16. On average, homeschooled children fare better academically than children in public or private schools. Tutoring has always been recognized to be the best method of education and up until 1850 most children in U.S. were educated at home
17. Homeschooled children are spared the corrupting environment of the classroom (discipline issues, evolution, humanism, negative socialization, etc)
18. Homeschooling gives parents the opportunity to spiritually disciple their children, teaching them the Bible and its application to life, resulting in character growth, both for the children and the parents
19. Each child receives individual attention and has his own unique needs met
20. Children gain respect for their parents as teachers
21. Children have time to explore new interests and to think
22. Tutorial-style education helps each child achieve his full educational potential
23. Flexible scheduling can accommodate father’s work and vacation times and allow time for many activities
24. Students can do a variety of college-level courses or career apprenticeships while still at home
25. Children who receive their education *outside* the home are prone to accept their peers’ and teachers’ values over those of their parents
26. On average, homeschooled children are involved in 5 activities outside the home, ranging from Scouts, dance class, 4-H, sports, field trips, volunteer work, Bible clubs, and other church related activities. They interact with people of all ages, from all sorts of backgrounds, and in all types of social settings
27. What happens after graduation? Homeschool: 31% employment, 69% post-secondary education. Public school: 29% employment, 71% post-secondary education
28. Homeschooled children retain enthusiasm for learning, they voluntarily share what excites them
29. On average, homeschool students in grades 1-4 perform one grade level higher than their public school counterparts
30. By grade 8, the average homeschool student performs four grade levels above the national average
When I began to seriously consider homeschooling my boys, I found it helpful to compile this list. I wanted to know what made homeschooled children different. I think this list showed me in a concrete way what those differences were and why I found the idea of homeschooling so interesting. I wanted those things for my kids and for our family life.
I printed this list and put it in my purse, mostly because I wanted to share it with my family if they thought I'd lost my mind. I don't believe I have ever shown it anyone other than my husband! Either my relatives don't think I'm crazy, or they are just too polite to say so! As it turns out, I think it helped chase away my doubts and give me the confidence I needed to get through that first year. God was good to us. He blessed us with a wonderful first year, in spite of our overseas move in December (from Sweden to Virginia.) He was good to us again in our second year, when another huge event took place, the birth of our daughter in December. This year, our third, there doesn't seem to be any life changing events set to take place in December. I'm so thankful! It will be nice to have a *normal* year. (Is there really such a thing, though??)
What would you add to the list? Please comment on it!
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2 comments:
One thing I always think about is that God instructs us in His word to teach our children- when we walk, when we rise, etc. I think God intended our children to stay home and us to teach them, not just academically but also and most importantly spiritually. This is what I have been emphasizing to my kids all week- it is more important to learn the word of God than anything else. Of course we are learning other fundamental academic things as well. That is just something that sticks in my mind though- how God instructs us to teach. I just don't see any other way for us... Thanks for sharing your list!
Marla, I don't know that I'd add anything - what a great list! Well, I just thought of something you could add: Homeschooled children have the time and opportunities to help neighbors, church family, etc., in addition to doing their schoolwork and family chores. I think it prepares them for adulthood and the realization that "real life needs" of others are always there and must be attended to along with everything else.
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