homeschool/unschool anyone?

Molly - posted on 09/17/2012

With all the social media and networks established for children now i don't think a kid would be unsocial just because they're being homeschooled. I'm planning on homeschooling my child from preschool through high school!

Patricia - posted on 09/15/2012

Right on Mary. I couldn't agree more. We are homeschoolers (10 yrs) and even though my Daughter does not see other kids or play with them on a daily basis she is very social and has no problems with adults or children of any age. I hate it when people shoot off their mouth before doing their research.

MaryAnne - posted on 09/06/2012

I agree with Mary Greer on the 'social' aspect. Children are only as weird as their parents. If the parents are weird, their children are going to be weird. Many studies and research have proven time and time again that homeschooled children score higher in standardized tests than their peers in public schools, and it shows even throughout college. A California professer even stated that every year his top five students were homeschooled.



Homeschooling (like it or not), is becoming more and more popular. Parents are utilizing the resources available to research what's best for their children, and they are trying to figure out what is the best route for their child's education. The number one reason for parents choosing homeschool is because they believe they can give their children a better education at home (NCES) (National Center Education Statistics).



Most parents who consider homeschool aren't the kind of people who take education lightly. In another study, 70-80% of parents who homeschooled their children were college grads or had a higher degree. Obviously, parents are concerned with their children and not the other way around. Especially in the crucial years from infancy to 8 years old.



American educational professionals Raymond and Dorothy Moore began to research the academic validity of the rapidly growing Early Childhood Education movement. This research included independent studies by other researchers and a review of over 8,000 studies bearing on Early Childhood Education and the physical and mental development of children.



They asserted that formal schooling (public school) before ages 8–12 not only lacked the anticipated effectiveness, but was actually harmful to children. The Moores began to publish their view that formal schooling was damaging young children academically, socially, mentally, and even physiologically. They presented evidence that childhood problems such as juvenile delinquency, nearsightedness, increased enrollment of students in special education classes, and behavioral problems were the result of increasingly earlier enrollment of students.



Their primary assertion was that the bonds and emotional development made at home with parents during these years produced critical long term results that were cut short by enrollment in schools, and could neither be replaced nor afterward corrected in an institutional setting.



These are all things that one should consider before choosing to send their child to a public/ private school. And I am aware that not all parents can homeschool. However, nothing is impossible with God. It does take a lot of patience, determination, and dedication. But research the pros and cons, and you will be amazed with how many more pros than there are cons.

Mary - posted on 05/11/2011

It's a myth that homeschooled kids are undersocialized. I have read study after study talking about how Homeschooled students are more successful at every area of their lives compared to those who attend public schools. If you are undersocialized it was because of choices you or your parents made. Socialization means getting out there and meeting people. Participating in volunteer work, joining atheltic clubs, doing swim meets, doing library reading groups, connecting with homeschool groups, making a play group, being in a community band, and so many other things.

I don't mean to sound cold hearted or disrespectful but please know your facts before you start spreading myths about homeschooling. It is simply not possible for a teacher to give each student the individual attention they need. And public school socialization is actually detremental to a child growth and development. They form cliques, they create their own mini universe where there sects either rule the world or are at the bottom of the barrel. The world is made up of a diverse group of people and once you grow up and get out of high school you will never be constantly surrounded by people of your age group. Homeschoolers learn to interact with people of varying age groups on a consistent basis. Homeschoolers learn real life skills like balancing a checkbook, reading recipes, doing chores, many homeschoolers even start their own businesses, and contribute to their communities as a part of their educational process.

Curriculum isn't that important. There are tons of resources online. Unit studies that tie different subjects together so it doesn't actually feel like they are sitting down to do english but they are actually doing science, english, history, and art all at the same time.

My oldest son is five and we do unit studies all the time. He's incredibly intelligent and our doctors agree he would simply be bored in public school. He can count to over 1000, he knows all his letters, can write all his letters, can read, he can draw like you wouldn't believe, we write stories together, he illustrates, he can use the internet, he knows how to say hello in 5 languages, can count as high in spanish as english, knows how to count to at least 5 in japanese... I guarantee a kindergarten class would not even come close to educating him as well as he has been educated in our preschool education this year. That is not even the tip of the iceberg.

I understand that everyone cannot homeschool. It takes a lot of dedication, determination, patience, and adaptability but it's so worth it. Learning by experience, reading, and doing is so much more fun than sitting in a classroom being lectured. That information sometimes makes it into the ear and sits around til test day than it's gone. Not so with our homeschooling.

Renee - posted on 12/12/2009

My children attend a local Charter school which is supported by state funding BUT it is run by a corporation. There is no religion based education at the school. They wear uniforms which are simple - a collared shirt like polo shirt and khaki or navy pants or shorts - we are in AZ so it's warm/hot 9 months of the year. I had planned to homeschool and did for my daughter but only got through kindergarten when her younger brother was diagnosed with autsim. The school has been great for her and him and he is mainstream so as much as I WANTED to homeschool with secular materials I didn't get as far as I had planned. Social interaction is really important to all kids but especially ones with autism. And since I am now divorced and working, homeschooling is just not possible.

Tosha - posted on 10/06/2009

I would be tempted to homeschool or unschool if I didn't have to work. I would just have my son in some clubs or other activity that allowed him the social side. I want him to have friends and all that stuff as well.



It does make sense, if you can do it, to self-teach your child. A school has to move at a specific pace because they are teaching 30 kids or so. If its one on one then you can move as fast or as slow as your child needs.

Bernadette - posted on 08/08/2009

I homeschooled my daughter for a few years. It was frustrating that all of the curriculum was based on religion - most of the stories included a teaching from the Bible. I did my best to overlook that part. To this day, I don't know why it is so hard to find homeschool curriculum that is not associated w/ religion. She is back in public school now, and I'm happy that we don't have to worry about someone in authority attempting to teach her about any type of religious beliefs.

Amy - posted on 07/12/2009

I was homeschooled by my mother from second to eighth grade and do not recommend this to others. Social skills are the most important part of a public education. Without those skills, you child will have difficulties as an adult. Something to consider.

Brianna - posted on 05/02/2009

Have you inquired through the actual school districts' independent study programs offered through your area? Perhaps you have, but I mention this because when I was younger I was home schooled with my best friend through our local school district. Also, there was an actual school which had an office area for the teachers, craft room, video viewing area, etc. This was a popular district in the Bay Area, which is why they could fund such a school but even though my son is still very young I was curious about what was offered in my area. There is a district-wide program that allows you to school your children, but at least gives you the chance to be in contact with an instructor to get started and if you need any assistance down the road.
Because this is all through the public school system, the question of religion never comes into play and your children never have to set foot in a classroom which means that they can still exceed the material that is appropriate for their grade level if such is the case.

Unless you've already done all of this. Then, um, carry on. :-)

Emily - posted on 03/26/2009

I always planned to unschool but finances will not allow it at the moment. I am a social worker my husband is a forest ranger, we have 8-5 jobs with various on call hours. We are both committed to our careers as well as our family which can be difficult to explain to the homeschool community. We still are active members of our local homeschooling group because we have been involved for so long and still support homeschooling as the best educational choice if it works out. Fortunatley, it is a secular homeschooling group and religious homeschoolers tend to be the minority at meetings and events.  There are no private schools around here. My six year old is in government school, we request her teacher every year which they 'frown' upon, but I find important. I like the school. I may change directions when she gets into middle school but for now unschooling is almost impossible.