The term "homeschooling" refers to choosing to educate one's children at home, rather than in a public or private school. Usually one or both parents act as "teacher," though not in the same way as a classroom teacher. Yes, it is entirely legal in all fifty states. In fact, it would be illegal or even unconstitutional to deny parents the right to choose where, how, and what their children are taught.
Home schooling provides a personal, individualized educational experience for the child. Children learn faster, and more, when they receive the one-on-one interaction of a parent or tutor. Parents care more about the individual success of each child because it is THEIR child - no one loves your child more than you do.
Anyone who homeschools will tell you that the experience builds a closer relationship among all the members of the family. There are very few problems with teenagers and parents getting along, and each child learns to contribute to the family as a whole. They are learning to interact with people of all ages, as the real world operates, rather than being forced into an unnatural grouping where everyone is the same age.
There are as many different ways to homeschool as there are families who homeschool. Each family will develop their own system, routine, rhythm - whatever works best for them. This doesn't mean you have to know everything before starting. Most families will research many different theories, curricula, etc., and then try out whatever appeals to them. If something doesn't quite work for them, they try something else. There are no hard and fast rules.
This highlights one of the main advantages to homeschooling - namely, that the methods used are chosen to best fit the child's needs and learning style. When a particular topic is too easy, you can just move on. When a child needs to spend more time learning a skill, you can take whatever time is needed. In a traditional classroom, the teacher needs to keep everyone doing the same thing at the same time, which either bores those who have mastered the skill, or leaves behind those who need extra attention. This child-centered, individual-paced feature of homeschooling is a major attraction for many.
There are no special skills or training required for homeschooling. You are teachers simply because you are parents. Requirements for homeschoolers vary from state to state, but I don't know of a state that requires any certification or special degrees for homeschooling parents. Besides, most education courses of study apply to traditional classrooms and managing 20 or 30 students at a time. They really don't focus on one-on-one teaching. There are plenty of resources available to help parents who don't have any experience at homeschooling. For example, the curriculum we have been using (now in our sixth year) provides me with a daily lesson plan which spells out everything to do to learn the topic. They also have counselors available to answer any questions we may have. It would be very difficult to fail with so much help and support.
Of course, a packaged curriculum is not for everyone. But even those who create their own plan of study will be able to find books, websites, support groups, and more to assist them. No one needs to "re-invent the wheel" when starting out with homeschooling.
Wherever you may be in this journey, I wish you the best. In the end, you need to discover the path that works best for YOU - so don't let anyone else tell you otherwise.
- Related Videos
- Related Articles
- Ask / Related Q&A
- Teaching About Strangers in Home Education
- Homeschool Program: Education of the Future
- Home Education History
- A Home Education For Your Family?
- Some Homeschooling Home-what You Need to Know
- Home Education Disadvantages
- Home Education And Your Special Child
- Homeschooling Setups That Make Your Home Education Run More Smoothly




In Bible versus Quran: God made Jacob’s hip disjointed
By: Prof.dr. Ibrahim Khalil | 09/11/2009The Bible says that God touched the hollow of his thigh; and Jacob’s hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with the Lord God; this is what the Bible declares. This story is not mentioned therein in the Noble Quran.
Does Homeschooling Create Superior Students?
By: Janus Rivera | 08/11/2009Believe it or not, some homeschooled children out performed those who studied at Harvard!
Homeschooling children with special needs
By: Natalie van der Vyver | 05/11/2009Homeschooling your child with special needs, let's you accommodate the challenges of your child’s disability better and allows your child to enjoy a better and more appropriate education.
Educating Your Family and Friends About Your Decision to Home-School
By: Melissa Murdoch | 04/11/2009While your decision to home school is uniquely your own, it is great if you have the support of your family and friends too. Unfortunately, getting your friends and family on board can sometimes be challenging. For the uninitiated, home schooling can be a new and strange concept, even though we, as a society, have actually been home schooling for centuries.
In Bible versus Quran: my beloved's fruit was sweet to my taste
By: Prof.dr. Ibrahim Khalil | 31/10/2009In the Bible, King Solomon says in his Song: my beloved's fruit was sweet to my taste, was sweet to my palate. In the Noble Quran, the well-known Prophet King Solomon does not say that.
Home Schooling Advantages and Disadvantages
By: Monty Carlos | 31/10/2009Home Schooling like anything else has its advantages and its disadvantages. People generally have mixed opinions whenever the topic of home school is up for discussion. Some can only think of the many benefits with regard to money, time and convenience and some bring to light only the drawbacks and inadequacies associated with home schooling.
Educational toys best for kids
By: Bernard Mcclain | 29/10/2009For the 5 years old children, this is the right age when the decisions about their formal education should take place. Although some children start going to schools or start taking pre-school classes at this age, yet this can be quite scary for the others, because until this age majority of the children have been spending their time with their parents or with close relatives and could not have a chance to spend the time with the complete strangers. This, no doubt is a major and importa...
Christian Homeschooling
By: Allan Tan | 29/10/2009In the NHES (National Household Education Survey) of 2003 and 2007 more than two-thirds of parents gave their concerns about the school environment as a reason for homeschooling. Moral and religious instruction, as a reason, was given by 83% of the parents.
Making Time For Your Kids When You Own A Business
By: Cynthia Brandolini | 31/07/2007 | Home BusinessWhen you own a business, no matter if you run it from your home or if you have an office building that your business is located in, making time for your kids is always something that you want to focus on, and it is always something that you are going to be concerned with.
When to Go With a Work at Home Business Opportunity
By: Cynthia Brandolini | 26/07/2007 | Home BusinessWhen is starting a work at home business opportunity good for you and your family?
Homeschooling With a Packaged Curriculum
By: Cynthia Brandolini | 04/03/2006 | HomeschoolingOnce the decision is made to homeschool, the next major issue is which curriculum or methodology to use.
What Does Homeschooling Mean to Me?
By: Cynthia Brandolini | 24/02/2006 | HomeschoolingWhat does homeschooling mean to me? It has become such an integral part of who we are as a family, that it would be difficult to analyze it separately. It truly has become our way of life.
What is Homeschooling All About, Anyway?
By: Cynthia Brandolini | 24/02/2006 | HomeschoolingThe term "homeschooling" refers to choosing to educate one's children at home, rather than in a public or private school.
Is The Use of Pop Windows in Internet Marketing Effective or Irritating?
By: Cynthia Brandolini | 22/02/2006 | Online PromotionStudies have shown, that even with some set backs, pop-up windows are still an effective method of Internet marketing.
Is it a Hobby or a Business?
By: Cynthia Brandolini | 22/02/2006 | Home BusinessEvery internet marketer or would-be online business owner eventually reaches a point where they have to ask themselves: "Is this just a hobby, or a serious business?"