A well-organized family education is in no way inferior to a traditional school: homeschool children successfully pass exams and enter universities. And yet there is a strong opinion that adolescents who do not attend school live inferior lives. Let’s talk about what your child may be missing in homeschooling and how to fix it.
Communication
Without a public or private school, a child will not be able to socialize – the eternal argument of the opponents of family education.
Let’s start with the fact that socialization, that is, the assimilation of the rules and values accepted in society, does not occur at school, but in the family. Children learn this from older relatives. There is another definition of socialization – the ability to communicate with representatives of different cultures, age groups and social statuses. But here, too, a public school class consisting of children of the same age who grew up in more or less similar conditions is unlikely to help.
In 1986, European sociologists studied the behavior of homeschoolers, and then compared the results with data on their school peers. The researchers found no significant differences in almost all aspects of social interaction except for one. Children who studied at home were less dependent on the group influence of their peers.
In fact, a homeschool child in may have difficulties not with socialization, but with communication. But they are easy to avoid. After all, home schooling does not mean being isolated from society. The child can attend interest groups and clubs, participate in events and quizzes, go to children’s camps in the summer and just play with the friends in the yard.
Rest from the computer
Family education in a modern format almost always takes place at the computer. Even if the child does not study in an online public school, it is easier to read theoretical material and complete assignments on the Internet. And if you consider that teenagers prefer to spend their free time playing video games and chatting on social networks, it turns out that the homeschooler spends at the screen all day.
Therefore, it is especially important for children in home education to take a break from the computer. Regularly arrange fasting days – for example, visit interesting places in the city and the surrounding area every weekend, go hiking or just take long walks. If the child can’t take his eyes off the screen, remind him that photos and impressions will serve as excellent material for social networks or a blog, but now you need to enjoy it yourself, and you can share it with subscribers tomorrow.
Unlike students in public schools, homeschoolers have the opportunity to study wherever there is an Internet connection. Therefore, nothing prevents the child from listening to podcasts and watching lessons in the fresh air – even in the yard on a swing, even on the seashore.
It is important to instill in your child the habit of sitting properly at the computer and taking a break from the screen between classes – at least doing gymnastics for the eyes and hands.
Hobby
If an ordinary schoolchild often faces the question “How to find free time?”, Then the problem of a child in family education is “How to fill it?”.
Today children could find online clubs for a variety of interests: from anime to ancient philosophy, from beading to programming and plasticine animation.
But personal contact and real comunication is still a much more reliable way to engage younger kids into new activities. Schooling from hope makes this process harder, but does not exclude it. Guardian parent should provide a child avaylable opprotunities and support them during the start.
Career guidance
In traditional public and private schools, high school students have career guidance classes, but who will help children in family education decide on their future profession?
Usually, homeschooler is all right with motivation – they understand why they learn and what they want to achieve in life. But not everyone can soberly assess their abilities, highlight their strengths and choose what to do after receiving a certificate – to receive a professional education or higher education, or they can immediately go into business.
Physical activity
Physical education lessons once or twice a week in a public school can hardly be considered a full-fledged physical activity, but children in family education do not even have this.
It is not difficult to solve this problem: there are sports sections for children for every taste. Football or hockey, swimming or snowboarding, aikido or wrestling, or even horse polo – the main thing is that the child likes it.
You choose the schedule of classes for family education yourself – this allows homeschoolers not only to attend any sections, but even effectively combine their studies with professional sports.
Support
In the public mind, family learning is still surrounded by myths and misconceptions. Many people find it hard to believe that a full-fledged education can be obtained outside the traditional school system, so children are forced to defend the right to study at home in heated arguments, not only with school teachers, but even with relatives. Also, family education is often confused with home education and it is believed that if a child does not go to school “like everyone else”, something is wrong with him.
Children in homeschooling often have to feel different, so it is important that others share their views and respect the path they have chosen. Search social media for a group of homeschoolers in your city. There you can read reviews of tutors, find out where it is better to take assessments, and just get to know other families who practice family teaching nearby.
