There are many reasons to homeschool. Some are educational. Others are based on the flexibility and relaxed lifestyle that a home education provides. There are also many benefits of homeschooling that relate to social-emotional and physical well-being. You’ll discover so many more perks as you go through your own homeschool journey, but these are a few that a common to most families.
EDUCATIONAL BENEFITS OF HOMESCHOOLING
Homeschool is self-paced. Schools are required to follow a pacing guide in order to get through all of the mandated curriculum. This means some kids waste time doing worksheets on topics they are already proficient in, while other children are pushed along from topic to topic before they have grasped the concept.
Homeschoolers have the freedom to study a wide variety of topics. When I was a 3rd grade teacher, I was required to spend one trimester (an entire third for the school year) teaching the history of our town as a social studies unit. In a time when having a global perspective and appreciation for diverse cultures is so important, I can’t help but think how much time was wasted learning everything there is to know about a small town in Massachusetts.
Homeschoolers have the ability to make the most of their individual learning style. Most kids will not thrive sitting at a desk, taking in information in one way and demonstrating learning by completing a worksheet. In a home education setting, kids have the opportunity to learn through reading, audiobooks, videos, exploration, visits to locations related to the topic, and so much more. They can do projects that interest them. They can learn on the couch, sitting on the floor, lying in bed…or sitting at a desk…if that is what feels the best to them.
LIFESTYLE BENEFITS OF HOMESCHOOLING
Learning can happen any time. As homeschoolers you have the freedom in your calendar to be flexible in how and when you do things. This includes typical tasks like scheduling doctor and dentist appointments. It allows you to avoid busy weekends at zoos or museums and instead visit on a weekday morning. It even means you can schedule vacations when travel is cheaper, weather is better and crowds are lower.
Learning can happen anywhere. Not only do you have flexibility in how you schedule things in your calendar, homeschooling can take place pretty much anywhere. There have been plenty of times when I’ve needed to run errands and my kids did their reading, writing or have even watched documentaries in the car. We’ve taken extended trips to visit family and even rented a beach house for a change of scenery and were able to continue learning without interruption.
Mornings aren’t hectic. The kids can sleep later. Breakfast can be leisurely. There is no chaotic hustle to get dressed, pack a lunch and get out the door.
Pajamas are always an option. Nothing else needs to be said about that homeschool benefit, but it’s my personal favorite.
SOCIAL BENEFITS OF HOMESCHOOLING
Kids aren’t compared to other kids their age. Children learn at different paces. Determining a child’s level of success based on how they compare to their grade level peers is harmful to their perception of themselves.
Less peer pressure. Homeschool students are able to explore their likes and interests and develop a personality and style that is genuine to them and not based on what other kids do or say.
Relationships with kids and adults of all ages. When my son was in public school, he spent all his time with children his own age. When he switched to homeschool and we moved to Florida, we found this to be one of the benefits we didn’t anticipate. He started playing Pickleball each morning in our community which meant he spent a great deal of time with adults ranging in age from 25-80 who had a variety of different life experiences to share. Afterwards, he would come home and do his schoolwork and then spent the entire afternoon outside playing with his friends in the 10-14 year age group. He was able to do things with his grandparents, play sports with his peers and spend time with his younger siblings.
PHYSICAL BENEFITS OF HOMESCHOOLING
It is not healthy to sit at a desk all day long. In a homeschool setting, kids can take breaks when needed, go outside and integrate lots of physical activity into their days. We even have a treadmill desk, yoga balls and a stationary bike that often gets used throughout the day while they are doing schoolwork.
Homeschool students can get their physical needs met on demand. They eat when they are hungry, not when a scheduled snack break or 20 minute lunch period takes place. They can use the bathroom when their body decides it is time and not when given permission by a teacher. Without a bus to catch, children can sleep longer and eat a healthy, unrushed breakfast.
