| Before making the decision to home school, | | | | siblings. |
| parents should seriously consider homeschooling | | | | Some homeschooled students feel they need |
| pros and cons. Home education has many | | | | more social interaction than the home |
| advantages in the areas of academics, socialization | | | | environment provides. They may want to spend |
| and cost. However, it has disadvantages in those | | | | greater amounts of time with children their own |
| areas as well. Here is an honest look at the | | | | age, or learn from teachers outside of their |
| strengths and weaknesses of homeschooling. | | | | homes. At times, some homeschool families feel |
| Academics | | | | the strain of too much together time. Both |
| When educating their children at home, parents | | | | parents and children need time to develop as |
| can choose materials and teaching methods that | | | | individuals and pursue their own interests. |
| fit their children's learning style. Parents can more | | | | Cost |
| readily control the topics their children are | | | | For parents who live in cities that have poorly |
| exposed to and give their children more | | | | performing school districts, homeschooling is a low |
| opportunities to pursue their interests. Children can | | | | cost alternative to private education. However, |
| also move through their lessons slowly or quickly, | | | | unless they are homeschooling through a publicly |
| depending on their abilities. | | | | funded program, home educators are responsible |
| However, home educators must take care to | | | | for purchasing books, supplies and other materials |
| expose their children to a variety of subjects, and | | | | for their children, in addition to paying school |
| work to strengthen their weaknesses instead of | | | | taxes. |
| only catering to their strengths. Some parents | | | | Overcoming Challenges |
| feel overwhelmed by the bearing sole | | | | There are simple solutions to most problems |
| responsibility for their children's academic | | | | faced by homeschoolers. Parents who are |
| development. They may also feel unprepared to | | | | concerned about academics can purchase |
| teach gifted or special needs students. | | | | programs that use teaching techniques and |
| Socialization | | | | content similar to those used in public schools. |
| The home environment is a physically and | | | | Those with gifted or special needs children can |
| emotionally safe environment for children. At | | | | seek help from one of the many organizations |
| home, children can grow and develop in an | | | | available for such students. |
| atmosphere that is free from bullying, | | | | Families who are in need of more social interaction |
| harassment, and peer pressure. Homeschooling | | | | can join a homeschool support group, sign their |
| allows children to spend their time in the same | | | | children up for a sport, or participate in church |
| diverse, real world environment where adults | | | | activities and community organizations. Those who |
| spend their time. Unlike their peers who attend | | | | are concerned about the expenses associated |
| public school, home educated students are | | | | with home education can use discount or used |
| exposed to individuals of a variety of age ranges | | | | materials, or design their own curriculum. Parents |
| and socioeconomic backgrounds. Their flexible | | | | who are creative and resourceful will find that |
| schedules also allow them to spend more time | | | | homeschooling pros far outweigh the cons. |
| building strong relationships with parents and | | | | |