| "How are my children going to learn?" This is one | | | | 4. You have flexibility in planning learning |
| of the first questions families who homeschool | | | | experiences. A child can learn anytime. With some |
| must answer. Should they choose one of the | | | | forethought, parents can use a trip to the store, |
| pre-packaged curricula sold by companies that | | | | a park visit, or a library outing to teach math, |
| provide supplies for homeschoolers? People who | | | | science, and history. |
| have an academic background in education usually | | | | There are also drawbacks to this approach to |
| put these curricula together. Homeschool families | | | | educating your child. Some of these are: |
| who go this route have a set course of study for | | | | |
| their child to follow. | | | | 1. The fear your child might not be learning |
| However, many families decide not to use any | | | | enough. Many parents fear that if they don't |
| set course of study at all. These families choose | | | | follow a pre-packaged curriculum, their child won't |
| to create unique learning experiences based on | | | | learn the right skills at the right time. That is a |
| the child's interests and personality. This creates | | | | possibility, but there are resources, in print and |
| an environment where the child has great | | | | online, that help parents know their child is on the |
| freedom, and the parents have almost complete | | | | right track. |
| responsibility for what and how their child learns. | | | | 2. Some kids (and parents) need a more |
| There are some great reasons for creating unique | | | | structured environment for learning. That isn't a |
| learning experiences for your child, without the | | | | bad thing; it's the way some people are made. For |
| benefit of a pre-arranged curriculum. Some of | | | | some, a pre-packaged curriculum offers the |
| those reasons are: | | | | structure and guidance they need to thrive in a |
| | | | homeschool environment. |
| 1. There's great freedom in what the child studies. | | | | 3. There's more preparation time for parents. |
| Parents can build learning experiences around the | | | | Parents who choose not to use a set curriculum |
| things that interest the child. That means the child | | | | need to spend more time and effort planning |
| is more likely to be an engaged, active learner. | | | | what their kids learn. Some parents might find this |
| Engaged, active listeners learn more! | | | | type of learning requires more time than they can |
| 2. It's cheaper than buying a pre-packaged | | | | give. |
| curriculum. The initial expense of purchasing a | | | | Generally, families that choose to teach their |
| prepared curriculum can be considerable. | | | | children without following a set curriculum |
| Homeschool families who create their own learning | | | | experience great freedom in choosing learning |
| experiences save that expense, although they are | | | | experiences. The drawbacks include the lack of an |
| likely to spend money on books and supplies as | | | | outside authority "approving" the child's education, |
| the school year continues. | | | | and the increase in preparation time needed for |
| 3. You control and create the learning experiences. | | | | parents. |
| Parents can personalize learning to fit the | | | | Each family must decide if they are ready to |
| temperament and learning style of the child. Plus, | | | | homeschool their kids without following a set |
| parents learn quickly that they are charge of the | | | | course of study. Whatever choice they make, the |
| child's education. Many parents mistakenly feel | | | | children benefit from the commitment the family |
| that their child's education is the responsibility of | | | | makes to home-based education. |
| "experts" in the educational system. | | | | |