Frequently asked questions about homeschooling (homeschool FAQs)
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Many families around the world, especially in the United States of America, are homeschooling one or more children. With the surge in homeschooling following COVID-19 and years after, more families are opting to homeschool their children. However, these families have countless questions about homeschooling. There are endless frequently asked questions about homeschooling. Most of these questions and concerns center around how to start homeschooling, legal requirements, selecting a homeschool curriculum, socialization concerns, homeschool resources, and much more.
This homeschool FAQ post seeks to answer the common homeschooling questions for an easy decision-making process on home education programs. Let us get into it so you can get the detailed homeschooling information you need.
Which is more effective: public/private schooling or homeschooling?
This is one of the most frequently asked questions about homeschooling or parents’ concerns regarding home education. Whether public/private schooling or homeschooling is more effective depends on many factors, including curriculum quality, teacher or parental involvement, socialization concerns, and, most importantly, the child’s learning style.
Though a person’s success is not determined by only academics, available data or research shows that homeschooled kids most often outperform their peers in public schools on standardized tests. This difference in academic performance can be attributed to personalized learning, flexible curriculums, and the undivided attention homeschoolers get.
In conclusion, based on academic grounds, homeschooling is generally more effective than public or private schooling.
Is it compulsory for my kids to study all homeschool subjects I deem important?
The short answer to this question is simply no. Many families decide to homeschool their children because of the flexible nature of homeschooling. So why make it rigid for your kids? However, I have a long answer as detailed below.
Have you ever wondered why kids or students dislike studying some subjects? If yes, your guess will be as good as mine. Students with little or zero interest in those subjects feel reluctant to study them.
And what are the consequences of forcing such subjects or courses on students after seeing all the signs that they don’t interest them?
It leads to a lack of motivation to study well, hence poor performance and unfilled careers in the future. If you pressure them to study these subjects despite their disinterest, you will be responsible for their future career misfortunes.
So, how can you avoid this? It is simple. Never force your kids to study subjects they have no interest in. Let the kid choose the course that ignites their passion. After allowing the child to select a course of their interest, what next? Do you watch them wander through the wilderness? No. You have to be their guide and facilitate the learning process because you know your child’s interest areas better than anyone else. You’re the best teacher for your children, and no one else is worthy of teaching them more than you.
However, I do not mean your children should not study foundational core subjects essential for lifelong learning. Critical thinking, reading, math, and writing are elementary courses for continuous learning. It is therefore important to use persuasive methods and different teaching strategies to get your children interested in basic subjects they may not want to study.
The bottom line is to let your children have a balanced education. Consider their interests, needs, and future goals. Also, factor in the legal homeschooling requirements in your state or country to achieve these goals. Pique the child’s interest and curiosity to learn any subject, no matter how difficult it may seem, but never force it.
As a homeschooling parent, must I teach my kids everything, including their study subjects?
This is one of the frequently asked questions about homeschooling or the concern of many families considering home education. This question might have crossed your mind if you’re new to homeschooling or considering how to start homeschooling your children. The answer is no. You do not necessarily have to teach your kids every subject. What you teach depends on your knowledge and skill level and the needs and interests of the children you are currently homeschooling or intend to homeschool.
If you’re knowledgeable in all the subject areas, you can teach everything if you wish. Otherwise, engage the services of specialized subject home education tutors if you cannot confidently handle a subject of your child’s interest. Another alternative is to join homeschool co-ops near you to take turns teaching specific subjects to homeschoolers based on the expertise of the different homeschooling parents in the group. Additionally, you can make good use of online courses or curriculums like Schoolhouse Teachers (a complete review is available here) to ensure your children lack nothing concerning getting a comprehensive education.
So, as a homeschooling parent, you decide or have a greater influence on what your kids learn, how they learn it, and who their teachers are.
How do you teach your child to read?
Teaching a child to memorize simple words is less effective than teaching that same child phonics. So, the best way to get a child to start reading is to teach them the relationship between sounds and letters. Children with a strong understanding of phonics can read thousands of words effortlessly.
As a homeschooling parent, why must I pay closer attention to the emotional and mental health of my child than their grades?
Though many strive for academic success, don’t prioritize it over your child’s emotional well-being. Everyone’s mental and emotional health is crucial to being effective and efficient in whatever they do. The same thing applies to children in their learning processes. Emotionally sound children can learn more effectively and effortlessly without viewing education as a chore or a burden.
Scolding your child due to low grades produces stress, anxiety, and low self-esteem in children. Such children will lose focus and interest in learning. So, limit very high expectations on grades, as it may be detrimental to your child’s mental health. A healthy mind retains more information, and success in life goes beyond academic grades.