I know what you’re thinking. Me, teach my child? No way! I’m not a teacher or educator, plus I have to work. Homeschooling our children is not as difficult as you may think.
Facts About Homeschooling Our Children
Homeschooling our children might seem difficult but let’s look at some facts. In the US, in the Spring of 2019, homeschooled children accounted for 2.5 million children. By the end of 2020, homeschooled children accounted for 9 million children. Homeschoolers have an average standardized test scores in the 87th percentile while the public school percentile is in the 50th percentile in certain subjects. Homeschoolers graduated from college at a rate of 66.7% which is 10% higher than students from public school.
Historically and currently, white children represent the majority of students being homeschooled. However, homeschooling is increasing among minority community members. Homeschooling by race and ethnicity: White students constitute 59%, Black students constitute 8%, Hispanics students constitute 26%, Pacific Islanders students constitute the remaining 3%.
Why Homeschool Our Children?
Many reasons lead parents to homeschool their children including:
Safety concerns, instilling religious beliefs; discontent with academic teaching methods; content and results; teaching kids with disabilities; spending more quality time with children; supporting a child’s sense of self and ethnic identity at a young age and unexpected situations such as COVID.
How Could I Possibly Homeschool My Child?
Parents incorrectly believe that they must have a teaching credential or be gifted in the area of teaching. Not so. It is true that in the early years, an adult needs to be physically present to read to the young ones and take them outdoors for exploration etc. However, below, we will discuss who you could select to be that person if you, the parent must work. The goal of education is to instill two main character traits: the love of learning and the ability to self-teach. Once children have these two traits, the sky is the limit.
What COVID taught us was that much of our work can be done from home. If you do not currently have a job that allows you to work from home, find one that does (but keep your current job until you find one). For older children, parents are setting up their work desks next to their child’s desk. They have a lesson plan for the entire week/month. Their child knows what must be done and they do it. It sounds too good to be true. What about the child that constantly says, they do not understand and need your help?
Who Can Help Us Homeschool Our Children?
For those parents who can work from home but have a child who will need more support or for those who cannot work from home there are solutions. Consider this, in a two parent home if either or both parents have a 9/80 schedule or 4/10 schedule where you are off one to two days per week, you can cover an entire week between the two of you. Or is there a trusted relative who can come into your home and help? Or if you were going to hire a nanny or babysitter anyway, find one who has the desire and ability to provide minimum instruction. Perhaps a student working toward a teaching credential is a good choice. Where there is a will, there is a way.
What Curriculum Should I Use?
There are so many choices of curriculum and helpful websites for homeschooling our children. Many mix and match various curriculums. Here are a few I suggest you check out:
Ambleside
Charlotte Mason
Well-Trained Mind
Schoolhouse Teachers
African American History of Homeschooling
The Black Homeschoolers
Homeschooling Defense Organization
Mommy Maestra
Latino Families Guide to Homeschooling
Is Socialization a Problem with Homeschoolers?
Socialization is definitely not a problem with homeschooled children. This age-old criticism simply does not hold any validity today. Many schools offer programs for homeschooled children. Some of these programs offer the ability to play competitive sports. For younger children there are homeschool play groups. There are groups that do field trips once a week for homeschooled children. There are immersion programs in other countries for homeschooled children. The possibilities for homeschooled children are endless.
I suggest you simply consider the possibility of homeschooling your child.