Many parents and guardians are clueless about the concept of homeschooling, and it also seemed strange for students who have never tried it their entire lives.  Before, only those who have limited mobility, special needs, physical conditions, and celebrities choose to homeschool over physical classes. However, nowadays, because of the pandemic, everyone is encouraged to do everything at home— as much as they possibly could. 

Working on academic tasks is not an exception. Even after parents and their kids have entered the world of virtual academic activities, they admitted that it was a little bit tough when they were figuring out “how.” 

It seemed like there was a decline in motivation and dedication from their young learners as they were used to attending physical and actual classes for years. Most students had a hard time adjusting to their new studying environment and limited social life. The good news is that everyone’s needs will eventually evolve— and their preferences too. 

Nowadays, students have been accustomed to studying in the comforts of their home setups and learning real-life skills from their parents. They have been indulging in an abundance of time and relaxation— they even have more time for self-care, family bonding, and other purposeful activities! With that alone, people can conclude that homeschooling is not a dreadful setup as it entails purposefulness and excitement. 

Your child’s preference will eventually evolve in the process, and you’ll be surprised that one day, they will already prefer homeschooling compared to physical classes. 

So, suppose you are thinking about homeschooling your child anytime soon. In that case, you should understand the basics of homeschooling first by referring to the information below.

1. Understanding the basics of homeschooling

More and more parents these days prefer homeschooling over sending their kids to private or public schools due to several reasons. In the first place, homeschooling does not imply stagnant learning at all. It is a progressive educational movement across the globe wherein parents plan educational activities for their kids, even while staying at home. This is in place of taking them to traditional schools. 

Some families are unhappy with the available educational options. These also include the different academic and religious philosophies and the idea that some learners aren’t improving within the confines of traditional education structures. 

This global movement started during the 1970s. It is when famous researchers and authors began writing about this educational reform. Raymond Moore, Dorothy, and John Holt suggested that homeschooling is actually an excellent alternative to traditional educational systems.

2. Are there requirements for your child’s homeschooling? What are they?

The country’s legal homeschooling requirements actually depend on your specific location. Some places have no or minimal requirements, while other states require portfolio reviews and standardized assessments at particular intervals. 

Well, according to the author of “Teach Your Own,” John Holt, the most crucial thing guardians and parents need to remember before deciding to homeschool their kids is to enjoy their presence. This means they need to appreciate their physical appearance, like their energy, passion, and love for foolishness. 

Parents should enjoy answering their children’s nonsense questions, talk about their learning experiences, and love the entire process. After all, that’s how homeschooling becomes more effective than physical classes.

3. Should you start homeschooling or not is the question.

In the first place, how should you, as a parent, know whether or not to homeschool your child? What are the factors you should think about? How do you plan for homeschooling and should you make your own lesson plan? What about our child’s academic curriculum?

These many questions flood in your mind as a concerned parent, but you should worry no more. Here are five tips to consider before making this critical decision.

• Assess your goals.
• Know your plans and priorities.
• Know what you are actually capable of.
• Familiarize yourself with the standard curriculum.
• Read reliable websites and blog articles.

Speaking about the benefits of homeschooling, here are some of them:

• Quality Time – Teaching is most effective when there is a one-on-one teacher-to-student ratio. More attention from the teacher will be given to the student; thus, the student can take all the time they need to exercise comprehension and increase their learning depth.

• Customized Curriculum – Parents can fully attend to their child’s learning needs. Learning can become a lot more individualized than classroom setups. 

• Freedom – There is a lot more to learn in life outside the classroom setting. With homeschooling, young learners can develop real-life skills from their parents. At the same time, physical classes are almost only limited to textbook knowledge.

• Healthier Relationships and Bonding with Family – With homeschooling, your child no longer has to experience being pressured by their peers or being forced to identify with a clique. Instead, they can spend all day with their siblings while nurturing their potentials.