4 Best Pros and Cons of Homeschooling

There are several pros and cons of homeschooling that parents should assess when making the critical decision. While homeschooling offers flexibility to parents, they should also know the cons that are associated with homeschooling kids.

There are many challenges that you will have to deal with when it comes to homeschooling and traditional schooling as well. That’s why you should know both the pros and cons of homeschooling, to know if you will be able to overcome the root challenges of the learning model yourself.

Schools also offer a more diverse environment for kids to grow in, which may not be there when it comes to homeschooling. However, a homeschool environment is perfect for kids that are specially-abled, or those that flourish in direct one-to-one space.

You should also talk to your kids about what they prefer when it comes to learning, especially if they’ve had previous exposure to either style of learning. You can get a sense of what they respond to the most, when they are able to share their opinion with you freely.

It is also important to know your own ability to teach strategically. Educators have decades of experience teaching kids, and they understand the best strategies to help your child excel. But, in the case of homeschooling, you can offer a more direct conversational approach to teaching that is time-effective and impactful.

Here’s more information on homeschooling math curriculum if you want to explore more on the subject!

Now that we’ve introduced both sides of the homeschooling paradigm, we can venture into the pros and cons of homeschooling.

4 Pros of Homeschooling for Kids

Let’s start with the pros of homeschooling, which is one of the main reasons why parents want to opt for this learning model. There are several benefits of homeschooling, such as flexibility and cost-effectiveness.

It’s also important to know why these benefits are inherent to homeschooling, so that you can ensure that you’re incorporating them into your teaching routine. 

1. Greater flexibility in teaching

One of the main benefits of homeschooling is the flexibility provided to parents and kids. You can plan your own routine and teaching strategies through highly flexible ways. You can focus on three day runs, weekend learning, daily sessions, and other strategies.

You can also experiment with different teaching tools and techniques of teaching to understand what works best for your child. This helps them figure out the best way to self-learn as well. They can gain confidence in their own abilities to learn productively.

2. Maximum utilization of technology

Parents can use a range of technology solutions when it comes to homeschooling, compared to minimal options in public schools. You can implement learning tools, videos, sing-alongs, worksheets, and other online solutions to help your child excel.

You can also use an iPad, a smartphone, tablets, lesson boards, educational toys, and other creative technologies to help your child learn through multisensory means. They can enjoy the process of learning as they use technology to help them flourish.

3. Completely personalized education

The educational experience provided under a homeschool curriculum is completely tailored to your child’s ability to learn. Your child may respond better to long learning sessions, one day off, or other forms of learning.

The homeschooling approach also works best for a specially abled child. You can introduce specific programs for dyslexia, autism, and ADHD, so that your child can learn progressively at their own pace. You can also introduce self-driven learning to empower your kids further.

4. Safer environment for learning

Homeschooling is a safer environment for kids as there is limited exposure to bullying and disruptions. Your child can learn in a free space and explore their potential to the fullest. They can also excel in a completely safe space as they don’t have to adhere to strict models of learning.

Parents are also increasingly concerned about school violence, which is another reason why they’re opting to learn through homeschooling models. The safety of the homeschooling model also enables them to develop their communication skills without the fear of judgment or bullying outside of class.

Related Reading: How to Select a Homeschooling Curriculum

4 Cons of Homeschooling for Kids

While homeschooling may work for some families, it is important to understand that it may not work for everyone. That’s why it’s important to assess the pros and cons of homeschooling with equal attention and care.

After exploring the pros, it is time to understand the disadvantages of homeschooling. There may be several issues that emerge because of homeschooling long-term, which is why parents should be aware of all factors involved.

When parents wonder – “Is homeschool a good idea?”, the list of cons can start to stack up. You may start to focus on the downside of homeschooling when compared to the positives that it may provide.

Let’s explore the major cons of homeschooling so that you have a clearer idea about the learning model.

1. Significant amount of time and energy

While homeschooling is flexible by design, there is still a lot of time and energy that is required to run a successful program. You need to be fully prepared to handle a range of challenges, such as lower attention span, lack of enthusiasm, trouble catching up, and issues with retention.

You’ll also need to create a robust lesson plan that focuses on multidimensional skills development, across motor, cognitive, behavioral skills and social learning areas. This will help you ensure that you’re compliant with grade-wise educational resources while providing your child direct attention.

2. Lesser recognition and encouragement

An often underrated and missed benefit of traditional schooling is the recognition and constant praise that kids get. Educators are trained to offer consistent praise and positive reinforcement to children so that they’re able to feel proud.

Teachers also prepare a range of arts and crafts activities for kids that are social and individualized in nature. As a parent, it may be difficult for you to keep coming up with new ways of encouraging your child to complete activities.

3. Handling administrative work yourself

You need to understand the administrative requirements of teaching your child. From following state guidelines to preparing weekly lessons, there is a lot of work involved in teaching your kids. You can follow online homeschooling programs, but you’ll ultimately have to do all the work yourself. 

There is an additional risk of missing out on critical topics or subject areas when you’re homeschooling. Your child may fall behind in specific areas such as tenses, fractions, or binomials, if you don’t have a complete list of every topic they need to learn.

4. Lesser social interactions

There are lesser interaction opportunities available to kids when they’re homeschooled. You won’t be able to provide an enriching social environment to them so that they can find new friends and discover their social self.

You’re also not going to be able to replicate a school learning environment when it comes to homeschooling. Your kids may not have exposure to other adults, such as teachers, administrators, principals, etc. This may lead to delayed social skills development over time. 

Related Reading: Helpful Homeschooling Resources for Parents

Is Homeschooling Right for Your Child?

One of the main questions that you should ask yourself as your child is growing, is whether homeschooling is right for them. In many ways, homeschooling can be better for your child than public school if those are the options that you are considering.

A top homeschool program can be more beneficial for your child than going to a traditional school model. You can get the curriculum online, and start teaching your kids about the wonders of math, science, ELA, geography, and other interesting subjects.

Also, when asking yourself – “Is homeschooling good for students?”, it is important to understand the core benefits of homeschooling that are relevant specifically to your lifestyle. If you are constantly traveling for work, or have time constraints in any domain, then homeschooling can be the right option.

There are also several advantages of homeschooling, which is why parents prefer the model over sending their kids to school. These advantages are universal, in terms of customized curriculum, safer environment, direct involvement in learning, and so on. These advantages may be right for you as a parent.

You should also consider the social element of homeschooling and traditional classrooms. Your child has access to more students to interact with when it comes to traditional classrooms. If you are opting for homeschooling, then you should organize play dates, museum trips, and other fun outdoor social events for your kids.

Related Reading: Best Tips on Homeschooling for Parents

10 Ways How Homeschooling Works for Your Kids

There are many strategies that you can employ to make sure that homeschooling works for your kids. You can focus on pros of homeschooling and learn from the cons, to make the entire program work for your child.

It is also vital to have an open line of communication with your child with regard to homeschooling. They should be able to provide their thoughts on the curriculum in a free and open manner. This should help you gauge the effectiveness of your teaching methods.

1. The preliminary step in making homeschool work for your children is to research the local state requirements. This will help you gain a complete list of core subjects that you should target, along with pre-requisites for next year.

2. You should also research the best curriculums online so that you understand the right approach in setting lesson plans. You can customize them as you go on, giving you more flexibility and control over the subjects.

3. You should optimize time management using the right principles, tools, and approaches. You can design a comprehensive schedule for your little one and have them adhere to it to maximize their productivity.

4. It’s important to consistently check-in with your kid. It is vital that your child responds positively to the homeschooling curriculum, while also being excited about the topics of the next day. If they aren’t excited about the day, then you should change the curriculum around to help them look forward to learning.

5. For the homeschool curriculum to be most effective, it is important to keep the studying area away from disruptions. This will help your child gain adequate time to reflect on what they’re learning in a peaceful environment.

6. Organizing play dates will help your child remain socially active with their community. You can network with other parents that are homeschooling, and have your kid connect with them regularly.

7. Incorporating technology in the homeschool curriculum can be the right way ahead. Using different activities, worksheets, play-along, and other tools, can help streamline your homeschooling program.

8. You should organize field trips regularly for your child, so that they’re able to learn organically through exploring their curiosity. You can schedule visits to the local museums, art galleries, zoos, and other fun spaces.

9. You can also prepare testing protocols on a weekly or monthly basis, to track the effectiveness of your teaching methods and their ability to grasp concepts. These tests can be standardized to map your child’s performance to the overall goals list.

Related Reading: What is a Homeschool Co-op?

Why Is Homeschooling Gaining Popularity?

While the pandemic contributed to the growth of homeschooling in the USA, there is also a larger shift towards homeschooling in general. The trend is shifting over time, wherein parents want to provide individualized attention to their children to learn in a safer environment.

The curriculum can also be customized with ease, giving parents more power over what they’re able to teach their kids. You can select a highly personalized set of topics, lessons, and subjects that are relevant to your child.

Homeschooling is also highly flexible for parents with younger kids, as they can travel or work remotely without having their kids miss their school work. You can set out a schedule, routine, and milestone list, and leverage different teaching methods to help you accomplish your goals.

The growth of technology has also made homeschooling more accessible over time. Parents can use different video calling, lesson plans, and interaction tools online through the power of technology. You can use the best teaching tools available for kids, with the right technical solution.

Conclusion

After analyzing the pros and cons of homeschooling, you can make a more informed decision about what to do next for your child. You can set them up for a lifetime of success with the right teaching strategies, and continue to evolve your homeschooling curriculum based on what works best.

You can also add-in elements of homeschool learning in your child’s daily routine as well. You can teach your little one new topics, lessons, and subjects over the weekend or after-school, by referencing a homeschool curriculum.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

When is homeschooling not advisable?

Homeschooling is not advisable in the cases where the child is not able to study in an isolated environment. You should opt for a traditional set-up when your child prefers to learn in school.

Is homeschooling always better than school?

While some parents may claim to be in favor of either side, it is ideal to weigh the pros and cons of homeschooling thoroughly.

How do I improve participation in a homeschooling curriculum?

You should include interactive elements in your teaching curriculum, such as oral assignments, puppets, toys, and role playing.

How do I make homeschooling more fun for my kids?

You need to use different modes of teaching, such as online, technology-based, one-on-one, and book-based, to see what your child loves the most.