Homeschooling vs Traditional Schooling–AllYouNeedtoKnow
In the United States, children are expected to be in school when they’re around 5-6 years of age. At this time, many parents start to wonder whether they want to go the traditional route or homeschool their children. Parenting discussion boards will tell you both forms of education have their advantages and disadvantages, but it is also essential to consider the individual needs of each child.
This article takes a closer look at what to consider when making this important decision.
Traditional Schooling
Traditional schooling is the standard form of education that most people are familiar with. In this situation, children attend a school where they are instructed by teachers. They're in a structured environment with set schedules and routines.
Often critiqued for the authoritarian environment, traditional schooling, public or private, provides children with opportunities to build social skills, make friends, and develop a sense of
independence. Public schools provide free education to children, while private schools are often more expensive but offer more personalized attention and resources.
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2021 there were roughly 49.5 million children enrolled in public schools in the United States, and 9% of school-going children were attending private schools.
Understanding Homeschooling
When it comes to homeschooling though, it's an alternative form of education that's growing in popularity across the United States. Some attribute this trend to the pandemic which took learning to new and innovative levels.
In this style of education, parents take on the role of the teacher, thereby being the instructor. This allows for flexibility in scheduling and personalized lessons tailored to the child's learning style. It also allows for more freedom in choosing the curriculum, which greatly benefits children with specific interests or talents that they may want to explore.
It is estimated that about 3% of school-age children receive education at home. Parents may choose to homeschool for any number of reasons, but most commonly these include religious
or moral beliefs, dissatisfaction with traditional schooling, and concerns over safety and bullying.
There's No Right Answer
Both traditional schooling and homeschooling can be beneficial for children. What parents pick all comes down to the needs and learning styles of their children. Traditional schooling provides opportunities for socialization and interaction with other children of similar ages within a set routine. This can impart life skills such as time management, working as a team, and taking responsibility.
Homeschooling on the other is especially beneficial for children with learning disabilities or those who struggle to keep up with the pace of traditional schooling. Since it allows for more flexibility in scheduling, it's also helpful for families with unique circumstances such as regular travel or parents with jobs that don't allow them to settle down.
Deciding Between The Two
Parenting forums and communities recommend that parents consider their child's personality and learning style when deciding between traditional schooling and homeschooling.
Children who thrive in social situations benefit from peer interaction and may do better academically in a traditional setting. Introverted kids, on the other hand, or those with special needs may progress better at home where their parents can teach them at a slower pace.
Consider Your Child's Learning Style
Research has shown that children learn in different ways, though this is up for debate. The four types of learners are:
Visual – who learn by seeing
Auditory – who learn by listening
Kinesthetic – who learn by doing and moving
Tactile – who learn by touching
Traditional schooling tends to cater to visual and auditory learners, while homeschooling can make learning more exciting for kinesthetic and tactile learners. This can be done through hands-on activities and experiences.
Don't Forget How You Factor Into The Equation
Homeschooling sounds greatly beneficial for children, but parents often get caught up and forget that they too need to be involved to a great extent. Not only does it require a significant commitment in terms of time, but it can also blur the line between parent and instructor, causing a decline in the quality of the relationship.
Last but not least, remember that the decision to homeschool or send your child to a traditional school is not always black and white. Hybrid models exist where children may attend traditional
school for part of the week and homeschool for the other part. This model allows for the benefits of both systems and more free time for parents.
For more advice, or online parenting classes, head on over to the homeschooling discussion forum on Parenting Questions. Moms and dads on the parental forums discuss their experiences, strategies, and feedback to help others in the same situation.
Apart from methods of education, you can take part in general parenting discussions or go through parenting advice blogs that make for easy reading. The platform also has forums for stay-at-home moms, single parents, and other parenting topics alongside a host of resources. Join the conversation here or register for added benefits.