controversial
Recently on FB i asked people what they thought about homeschooling and my one little question seemed to create some controversy.
Peoples opinions were very interesting but reading them i was fully aware that it was theiropinion and their own fears.
People who shot it down instantly i felt, would problalby hate the idea as it all sounded a lot of hard work that they could never do.
And those that thought it was a good idea i felt, probably thought it sounded cute and fun.
So here is what i think and yes i would be interested in hearing your thoughts too. But trust me when i say i am not going into this with closed eyes. My eyes are very open and it is also something i am still considering.
So i am thinking about homeschooling my children up to the ages of 7. Just 7. Not any older as i don’t think that i could develop them anymore than the age of 7.
Its got nothing to do with the schools really as they seem to be pretty good around here when the children are young enough.
Its got nothing to do with making friends either as that seems to be a lot of peoples argumentfor going to school – ” Its really important for children to make friends and have the social aspect of going to bigger school with their friends”. For me, i think this is a really poor excuse.
For one, my girl is very out going so friends is not going to be an issue and secondly this is another thing that i have considered as she will be doing out of school activities which will help with her social behaviour. Not to mention she has 6 cousins she See’s all the time and we attend church every week in which she has friends in.
Right so my main reason (and please remember this is my own thoughts and reasons and it does not at all have anything to do with other parents, and i do not think that sending other peoples children to school is a bad thing, this is something for me.) for considering this is – i had children to spend time with them and nurture them and that is what i want to do.
With all the skills i have obtained over the years why not put them to the best use ever possible, into the development of my children.
Stats show that children home schooled up to the age of 7 are generally very bright.
I know that classrooms can be pretty packed and i like the idea of one to one with my own child. I mean who better to discover what my little one is good at and develop it more and who better to discover what my little one is struggling with and pay more attention to it.
The curriculum that i will set is going to be very varied with lots of activities that school probably wouldn’t start until the children are a bit older if at all.
Its not about being a pushy mother, its about making it fun and more exciting. About learning and developing in a fun and exciting way that is memorable.
As i said before this is something that i am consideringand going into with open eyes. This may not work for our family at all, so maybe i will only do it for a year. I need to be open and aware of changes and if it doesn’t work, then it doesn’t work and i gave it a good hard go of it.
I still have another year to think about this fully but for me and my family i think is the way forward.
All thoughts welcome.
Personally, I see the positives and the negatives. The though of home schooling makes me think of all the crazy cultish Americans…but thinking about it, it seems very logical, reasonable and a pretty good idea!
It would be lovely to start teaching her French, or cooking, or developing her artistic side…. all of which I know you’d do…
I think, that as long as she’s still getting the discipline of times and lessons and home work and is still getting lots of social interaction, then why not!
Hi Fabby
(what you said about people’s reason for liking/disliking the idea may be true to an extent but I think as a qualified teacher i have a good understanding – I certainly don’t think it is ‘cute’!! )
Anyway…
I do see the plus and minus’s for home schooling I really do. I however would worry slightly that by not letting my child experience a ‘classroom’ atmosphere from the start might put them at a disadvantage when they start real school later at 7. Kids are so faddy and will pick on anything to single a child out. No matter how many groups etc you take a child to, nothing compares to being in a classroom learning with others. I agree that they will get much more attention, sure, but will they learn to be independent too?
Its all conjecture obviously…
I would also consider that fact that when Amica goes to school you would have a couple of years of one to one time with your second child which of course they will never have had before. I think thats important.
xx
I like the idea. I think kids develop better guided by their parents when they’re young. I also dislike schools as they learn all kinds of things they shouldn’t from other students at a very early age.
I’m the only one of my siblings to have been entirely state-educated, the others were both home schooled; The elder for just a short time, the younger for most of her school life. I think if done right it’s a great way for a child to develop in a constructive and personal environment.
I know a couple of families who have home schooled their kids, for one reason or another and from what I’ve heard, it’s mainly been positive. The only bad thing that I’ve heard relates to a child who ought to be a secondary school. His mum works and his Dad just takes him out with him to work. Not quite what the LEA would approve of.
I could never do it, but that’s down to my laziness more than anything.
All I would suggest, is for you to do plenty of research, which I know you would anyway and keep an open mind about it.
Lots of luck, whatever you decide.
Very contraversial indeed. I have good friends who have strong views on both sides of this argument… it’s fascinating to hear them thrash out a good argument over it!
It’s got to be a personal decision, and -not having kids – I don’t have strong convictions myself… You’ll do well by your kids whatever you decide!
Hmm. I have some pretty major issues with mainstream education – academic pressure being one of them. For example – I want my two year old doing nothing more than abc and sandpits – not learning flipping french, despite my husbands desires. I also think mainstream education has moved too far away from basic life skills like cooking, diy, budgeting etc which I will in due course try and fill my child in on. I also have concerns about the politics in schools – the board of governers at my neice’s school have made me livid with rage more than once lately (banning halloween disco for being pagan was one of the reasons). I might consider it if private, progressive education isn’t an option financially for my daughter at the time.
On the other hand….I am very pro nursery/pre school for social/sharing/generally accepting authority reasons. Its also about me going back to work and setting an example for my child – especially because shes a girl but that said – since you are only considering it up to 7 maybe thats not a major factor.