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Introduction | Socialization | Laws | Parent Qualifications
AN INTRODUCTION TO HOMESCHOOLING
More and more families are beginning to homeschool their children rather than placing them in another educational institution. They are finding that homeschooling offers them more of what they want for their child. Homeschooling is an opportunity to train up your child in the way he should go. You can instill in him life-long characteristics, integrity for example, and base his education on the firm foundation of the Word of God.
Homeschooling offers you the chance to give your child individual attention. You will know exactly what your child is learning, where his weaknesses are so you can turn them into strengths, and what problems he may have.
Each child learns so differently and at a different pace. You can pick the curriculum that best suits your child and work along with him at his own learning pace. As problems arise appropriate adjustments can be made so your child does not get frustrated. He also will not have to deal with the peer pressure which might affect his performance.
Children sometimes receive bad grades because they lack confidence in their ability. With homeschooling, the parent can make sure his child learns everything and can spend time encouraging him. Both of these acts will create confidence in the child. Some children have learning styles that are not conducive to classroom learning. These children often feel like the material taught in school is too hard. In homeschooling, parents can specifically gear material to the learning style of their children. After all, who knows them better?
Homeschooling will enable the family to have closeness and good relationships with one another. As everyone works around each other they develop relationships that will last.
Homeschooling also allows for a flexible schedule. Adjustments can be made for everything from vacations to doctor appointments or dance lessons.
Homeschooling is just like having a tutor. It takes less time for the student to learn the information because he is not wasting his time switching classes, waiting on the teacher, going to and from somewhere and all of the other time-consuming things. The extra time a home-schooled student has can be spent studying God and His Word, one subject not taught in public school, and can be applied to other opportunities as well.
One of the main arguments against homeschooling is that it does not teach children the needed socialization skills. It is also believed that children need to be a testimony to their other peers. Young children are often more influenced by peers than they are a testimony to them. They begin to adopt other values pressured on them by their teachers and peers. Generally, these values are not Godly values. "Do not be deceived: Bad company corrupts good morals" (1 Cor. 15:33 N.A.S.).
A homeschooled child has freedom from much peer pressure and is able to be surrounded by Godly principles. He/She will begin to think independently, developing ideas based on what you taught him and be more self-confident. Homeschooling also means that your child will be closer to the other family members.
Parents considering homeschooling often feel as though if they homeschool their child that he will be "missing something." In this sense that statement is true: the child will be "missing" many opportunities to be led astray by others who would like to entice them into doing wrong.
There are other ways for children to be socialized with their peers. There are homeschool groups in just about every area where both you and your child can make friends. Other opportunities for friendships are church and the outside activities that your child might become involved in such as ballet, soccer, basketball, etc.
THE LEGAL SIDE OF HOMESCHOOLING
Many people wonder whether homeschooling is really legal. The truth is that it is legal in all 50 states, but each state has its own set of laws governing it. In order to make sure that you are not breaking any laws you should be sure to obtain a copy of your state's law pertaining to home education. To begin homeschooling in some states requires completing some paperwork. Another option you have is to contact the Homeschool Legal Defense Association. Membership in that organization brings counsel as well as access to a communication network which keeps you informed when changes in the law could affect your right to homeschool.
To become a homeschooling parent does not take a license, only a willing heart and dedication. You as parents know your child better than anyone else. Who is better, then, to teach him? Most certainly you care for your child more than the government or any teacher. It is difficult to comprehend why parents would rather place their children's education in the hands of a teacher who knows nothing about their child and whose time is divided between twenty to thirty students. There are many aids out there for parents to take care of any insecurities you might have. You can go to homeschool conventions, workshops, or read books and other literature to encourage and motivate you as well as give you ideas. Many books and magazines are geared to teach you, the parent and teacher, how to instruct your child and give him a good education. "The Lord truly gives us wisdom and meets all our needs. All we need to do is ask him for it" (James 1:5).
The author of this brief article is a freshman art major at Oral Roberts University who is deeply grateful to have been homeschooled from the third grade through the twelfth grade.
