‘Learn Without Pressure’: Mom Shares The Pros And Cons Of Homeschooling

Homeschooling can provide learning opportunities that are not available with other school options. To ensure you make a better informed decision, it is very important to look into the pros and the cons of homeschooling.

Is it a good idea to be homeschooled?

If you are one of the many parents thinking about homeschooling your children, here is a list of the homeschooling pros and cons to consider.

Pros of homeschooling

Flexibility

One of the greatest benefits of homeschooling is its flexibility. Families who homeschool their children have the freedom to create daily, weekly or monthly schedules that work for their routines.

In homeschooling, you have the option to teach what lessons you want your kids to learn, and when and how to do it. As you know your kids more than anyone else, you can focus more studies on areas of interest, such as art or science. 

Kids can quickly go through subjects they understand, and spend more time on topics they find challenging. Homeschool is personalized learning where you can match lessons to how your child learns. There are more ways to learn — you are literally not confined to the four corners of the classroom.

Primary influences on beliefs and values

The reason most, if not all parents, decide to homeschool is to guide the character development of their children. Character education always count, and homeschooling is not all about academics.

As a parent, you can incorporate your beliefs and family values into your lessons. You have the privilege to help your children grow into responsible, persevering, and compassionate adults.

Time to pursue interests

Homeschooling allow kids to purse their interests and harness their own unique qualities. For preschool age children, play can be incorporated in learning without the pressure of formal academics.

With the personalized learning, you can allot time in helping your children with any special talents like in music, playing an instrument, in sports or other interest like coding, robotics, writing, or baking.

Stronger family relationship

Homeschooling is a family affair. It gives the venue to experience learning together and build stronger relationships. It can take place at any day, at any time.

You can incorporate lessons when you are preparing a meal, in a supermarket, strolling at the park, during a field trip or on a family vacation. There is no missing out your child’s milestone because you are spending it together.

Cons of homeschooling

Time and commitment

Parents spend time reviewing homeschool programs and curriculum which best suit their children’s learning needs. Compared to traditional school, homeschooling takes time, effort and commitment. Day after day, parents need to facilitate lessons or hands-on activities to children.

A successful homeschool requires you have to be solidly committed to personalize your children's holistic education and development.

Due to the flexible nature of homeschooling, it is possible to homeschool even if you work full-time. It may require some creative scheduling and routine, but it can be done.

Qualification to homeschool

Most parents are worried about the ability to teach their kids or that they do not know how to teach. How do you teach subjects you don’t know?  This is a valid question.

A child’s education is never limited to the knowledge of the parents. You do not have to do homeschooling alone. 

Different homeschool providers in the Philippines offer easy to follow packaged curriculum, parent workshops and provide support to make your homeschool journey easier. You may opt to hire tutors or enroll in a class for subjects you find challenging to teach (like Math or Filipino subjects, music lessons).

Kids socialization

Socialization is popular topic for homeschooling and it’s an understandable concern. How will your kids be properly socialized if they are learning at home rather than in school?

Socializing with other kids is an important part of child development. While interactions with trusted adults —such as parents, other family members, and teachers — can be enriching too, children are meant to play with other children.

While socialization looks different for kids who are homeschooled, there are many opportunities for socialization. With homeschool support groups, field trips, extracurricular activities, and classes, there are plenty of occasions to interact with peers, with teachers, and kids of different ages.

There are numerous pros and cons to homeschooling. The answer to whether you will homeschool or not will be depend on your family, not because other persons tell you so. Research and planning are huge part of your decision to homeschool. 

Que Sullano-Gavan, who hopes to study early childhood education and publish a book someday, is a licensed engineer who opted to stay at home and focus on homeschooling her only child, Gab. She is married to fellow engineer Jinoe and together they mange their website, www.filipinohomeschooler.com.

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