"Homeschooling allows you the freedom to step off the highway of learning and take a more scenic route along a dirt road."
-Tamara L. Chilver

Nowadays, the most common and regular form of schooling takes place in state education centres that are run by the government. In the UK, students from the age of 5 years old start off in their process of receiving education at primary and then secondary schools until they graduate and then decide what they will do with their lives.

However, it's important to mention that albeit not as popular as sending kids to the traditional classroom, homeschooling is an attractive option for parents who have the time to instruct their children and teens from home. As a matter of fact, hiring tutors and being "home-schooled" has existed for centuries and was a sign of true wealth back in the day.

So, without further delay, in today's article, we're going to analyse what homeschooling entails and answer some commonly asked questions from readers. Let's get started!

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What Exactly is Homeschooling? 

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Parents make learning fun while homeschooling their children. This may include taking a hike in the woods for gym class. (Source: Unsplash)

While regular schooling takes place at an education centre that is funded by the government or a private benefactor, homeschooling occurs, as you guessed it, in the comfort of your home. Defined as an approach towards education that is out of school and from activities that parents or educators provide themselves. Homeschooling is education that is separate from the confines of typical education at schools.

Homeschooling is more of an American term and in the UK more often referred to as home education. Parents educate their kids from their homes and attempt to take an approach to teach subjects that isn't dull and boring but rather practical and inspiring. Also, when home educating, you can fit the education to the needs of your child rather than make the child fit the needs of an institution more concerned with its own agenda than with individuals. Students who like learning things at their own pace, without waiting for their classmates, greatly appreciate homeschooling and its tactics.

Many parents and children have been turned off the traditional education system and that's why they're doing homeschooling.

It's worth mentioning that the term "homeschooling" is often misleading since parents and educators don't solely educate their kids in the confines of their homes. However, field trips are taken to visit museums, galleries, and sites of specific interest. If there are other students nearby that are taking part in home education, students may group together with them and do certain projects, etc.

Before concluding this section, it needs to be said that homeschooling is a diverse and tailor-made approach to education that is extremely successful for specific types of students who fit that mould.

What are the Eight Most FAQs About Homeschooling?

First and foremost, for those who've been living under a rock and don't know the acronym "FAQ", it means Frequently Asked Questions. Now that we've gotten that cleared up, what are the 8 most FAQs that parents, teachers, or other curious individuals have about the homeschooling situation? We'll let's find out!

Is Homeschooling Legal?

Yes. Education officials in the UK have found that education is a must, not attending government-run schools. It's worth stating that, often, parents who teach their children from home, receive support from the education board or council in their local area.

Find out more governmental information about educating your child at home in the UK.

Do You Have to be a Teacher to Homeschool Your Child?

No. This is a common misconception. Parents don't need to be teachers, all they need to be is an interested, motivated and caring parent who has the time to give lessons covering a wide variety of subjects.

Do You Need a School Room and Lots of Resources?

working on their assignments
Parents don't need to dedicate a specific room for homeschooling; the dining room table will suffice! (Source: Unsplash)

No. Most use what they have. Once you home-educate you begin to see that school rooms, teachers, fancy equipment, and everything that is involved to create an academic climate are not essential for learning. For example, there are many interactive, practical, investigative, and hands-on approaches which are equally effective. Children do not have to sit still at a desk; lying on their bedroom floor is just as effective. What's important is that the work gets done and that your child is well-educated.

Is Home Education Isolating?

Not necessarily. While there might not be hundreds of homeschooled children in your local area, there are increasing groups and opportunities to meet and network on the web. Most localities have a home school group that meets regularly for social interaction and learning activities.

For example, my sister and some of my close friends were homeschooled and they always had plenty of association and more time to do things with other people.

Do Parents Have to Follow the National Curriculum Perfectly?

No. While some families do, some don’t. Nevertheless, it's highly recommended that you do since your child will be more prepared for end-of-year exams that are more strictly regulated. Also, teaching the National Curriculum means you'll have the support of local schools and your child will be more prepared to attend university one day if that is their desire.

However, on the other side of things, education is meant to train the mind and certain things from the National Curriculum might not benefit the unique brain of your child.

Do Parents Need to Conduct Important End of Year Exams?

No. Most homeschooled children do not do standardised testing. Many do GCSEs or A-Levels later on using tutors, school resources, online courses, and other helpful networks for assistance. It's worth stating that students who do home education, tend to do very well on exams.

Does Homeschooling Cost Parents Lots of Money?

No. It can cost as little or as much as your budget will allow. It’s not having masses of expensive resources that educate. Rather,  it’s having an attentive, caring person who has time to interact, encourage and show their child the real world. In many cases, homeschooling tends to be a lot more cost-effective.

What Motivates Students During Home Education?

Generally, young people are motivated because, unlike schooling, their education becomes a shared process that they can be involved in, enjoy and begin to take charge of. What's important is that parents do their best to ensure that education isn't solely something done to check off their to-do list but rather an integral part of their personal development that will greatly enhance their life.

There you have the answers to the 8 most FAQs about homeschooling!

Can Tutors Help Parents With Homeschooling?

quizzes for homeschoolers
Home-educated students don't necessarily follow the same exams as pupils in regular schools. (Source: Unsplash)

What if you have the desire to homeschool your son or daughter and think it's best for them, but don't have the time, what can be done? While it is greatly suggested that one of the two parents makes an effort to homeschool their child, there are various private tutors that can easily assist.

By visiting e-learning and private tutoring websites, you'll find plenty of dedicated and experienced personal instructors that offer remedial courses in a wide variety of academic disciplines to young students. We recommend that parents visit Superprof to search through the tutors offered in their local area and whether or not they'd be interested in homeschooling their children for a few hours a week.

The academic training and assistance that trained instructors bring to the table beautifully complement the hard work of the parents. 

In conclusion, homeschooling is a great opportunity for your child if it's something that they desire or, as a parent, you deem necessary. The advice and counsel we give are always a suggestion and we aspire that our articles help parents make the best decisions for their children and teenagers.

 

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Brentyn

Avid movie-goer, reader, skier and language learner. Passionate about life, food and travelling.