As parents consider homeschooling their child or children, they often have a lot of questions. Here are some of these top questions (and their answers) asked by those expressing curiosity and concerns about homeschooling. 1. Will my child receive proper socialization if I homeschool? The answer is yes – if parents put in a little [...]
Socialization and the Homeschooled Child
If you’re a homeschooler, you’ve undoubtedly heard someone somewhere mention “socialization,” often in a manner that indicates concern. The prevailing attitude seems to be that children who are homeschooled are not “socialized.” What does this mean, exactly? Is this true? How can homeschoolers address this issue? Merriam-Webster defines “socialize” as “to make social; especially : [...]
How to Plan Your Own Home Schooling Curriculum
For many homeschooling parents, no curriculum seems to “fit.” For others, the cost of a full curriculum is more than they can afford. There are all kinds of reasons why some homeschoolers want to design their own curricula: personal, religious, financial, and other reasons all play into the decision. So where do you start if [...]
Homeschooling and Unschooling – What’s the Difference?
Some homeschoolers are unschoolers – but what does that mean? And are unschoolers somehow extreme or “out there”? What is the difference between homeschooling and unschooling? These are some of the questions people pose when considering the two types of homeschooling. It can get a bit confusing, and when you throw stereotypes and so forth [...]
Homeschool Philosophies – Which One Fits You and Your Child?
As you consider homeschooling, you may be trying to decide on which approach or philosophy fits your child and family. Do you like things relaxed and informal, or do you prefer a more structured approach? How much time do you have to devote to homeschooling, and what is your child’s learning style? These and other [...]
Covering the Legal Bases – What You Need to Know About Homeschool Laws
Unfortunately, some would-be homeschoolers are intimidated by legal authorities, or they think they don’t want to deal with the legal aspect of homeschooling. But with a little strategic thought and key resources, you can have your legal bases covered and move forward with homeschooling. Homeschooling laws differ from state to state, and sometimes also from [...]
Home Education Resources – a Brief Overview
For those who educate at home, learning about the resources at your disposal is extremely helpful. Most homeschooling parents will tell you that you never stop discovering new resources, and new ones are being developed all the time. So this brief overview is not so much a list of resources as a generalized discussion of [...]
Benefits of Homeschooling
Homeschoolers often choose to educate their children at home due to the benefits inherent in homeschooling. For those considering homeschooling as an option, you might be wondering just what these benefits are. Studies have shown all sorts of benefits to homeschooling; here are some of them. Family Time Many families are concerned about the lack [...]
Am I Qualified to Homeschool My Child?
Did you fail Algebra? Maybe you didn’t read until you were well into third grade, or you barely managed to pass English. Does this mean you aren’t qualified to teach your child? Some parents agonize over whether or not they are qualified to teach their children at home. It’s easy to get caught up in [...]