Is This the Year You Decide to Homeschool? – Homeschooling Pros and Cons

Pros and Cons of Homeschooling

As times have changed, many parents are rethinking the way they educate their children. A great alternative to standardized, classroom learning is homeschooling. Many parents have seen this as an eye-opening experience and there is a better and safer way to provide a great education while at home. We explore homeschooling pros and cons when compared to public education.

Pros of Homeschooling

Homeschooling is a great opportunity to take control of your child’s education. Every child has different learning styles. Some learn by doing, others through listening or visually. Because a classroom has to accommodate a variety of children and their corresponding learning styles, it is hard to give the focused attention needed to maximize a child’s ability to learn. 

With homeschooling, your child’s education can be custom-tailored to their specific needs. You will also gain a great opportunity to spend time and connect with your children. This is greatly beneficial in its own right.

• Flexibility to choose their curriculum.  Homeschooling is effective for children of all ages, personalities, and accommodating to special situations
• Involvement. You will gain the invaluable opportunity to spend time with your children and influence them in the most positive way possible. Having a good parent-child relationship is THE critical component of your child’s development. There is no greater predictor of long-term success than having a high-quality family dynamic in a child’s upbringing. 
• Accountability for your child’s learning. You have the ability to change the schedule, learning approach, and curriculum. Provide your child with the most efficient learning and meaningful learning experience. 
• Emphasize Extracurricular activities. You can make time for recess, projects, or arts and crafts.
• Your child can grow up better. Children gain alone time where they can self-reflect on what they learn and what topics and subjects they enjoy, rarely do public school students have this option. 

Homeschooling your child ensures that their learning time focuses on actual learning, not filled with classroom distractions. For more info, visit our page on the benefits of homeschooling.

Cons of Classroom Schooling

During these uncertain times, it has become clear that our current education system leaves much to be desired.  We have seen schools pushing parents to make difficult decisions about a child’s education and family stability. School boards have left families scrambling, overwhelmed, and powerless in the decisions to keep their children home to learn. 

While some schools do offer “Hybrid” schedules often they lack the stability that a child and families need. Also, children logging into virtual learning sessions that are not engaging or stimulating may result in lower grades or even falling behind.

Let’s face it, the “modern” school system is a lot more like Soviet-era military training than education to be a free-thinking individual. In fact, the American school system we still use today was derived from the Prussian model in the 1800’s. Horace Mann wrote, “The Prussians were using public education to crush the independent spirits of their children and ensure loyalty to their leader.

If you want your child to grow up to be a good factory worker who follows orders without question, public education is a fine option. If you want your child to be independent and free-thinking, you may want to look elsewhere.

But will homeschooling impact my child’s socialization?

When considering homeschooling pros and cons, an area of concern for many parents is homeschool socialization. Since this is such a common concern, it has been addressed in a variety of ways. There are many options to increase your child’s homeschool socialization opportunities. Homeschoolers can develop social skills by having play-time with kids in their neighborhood as well as joining social and sports programs. This is a great opportunity to explore other ways to be social without interfering with learning time.

• Be involved with volunteer work
• Sign up  for sport activities
• Participate in a Bible study program
• Take part in youth group activities
• Attend Music classes or other extracurricular activities

After learning the pros and cons of homeschooling you should enroll your child at an accredited online homeschool where your child will have the best education, attentiveness, and social development they deserve. Explore our Christian Homeschool Online Program provided by American Academy National Home School.