Homeschool misconceptions! Homeschooling, even though it is rapidly becoming a mainstream choice for education, is a difficult leap to make. If you’re considering homeschooling, even after hours upon hours of research, you probably have some nagging doubts in your mind. Let’s go ahead an knock three of the biggest misconceptions off of your “things-to-worry-about” list.
1. High School!!!!!
People have a hard time with the idea of homeschooling high school. Family and friends will all have similar reactions when you tell them you plan to homeschool. First, homeschooling is a year-by-year kind of thing. Your kids might well end up in a more traditional high school. No need for panic when your oldest child is just five. If, however, you opt to homeschool high school there are some facts you should know.
Homeschoolers in just about every state can participate in high school sports, band and theater if you’re willing to do the paperwork. Homeschoolers have the advantage of being able to sleep in. Numerous studies have shown that teens tend to be nocturnal and need more sleep in the morning. A home schooled teen is more likely to have an apprenticeship or internship in a field they want to pursue as adults. Homeschooled teens also have the freedom to travel and explore the world. Finally, many states offer homeschooled high school students the chance to take community college courses at no or little cost. Many homeschooled kids enter college with enough credits to qualify as a sophomore or junior!
The prom! Oh, how people worry about the prom. Not only do larger homeschool groups and many state homeschool conventions offer prom and graduation ceremonies, your homeschooled high schooler might be invited to a prom by a traditionally schooled friend. If your high school homeschooler wants to go to the prom, it can happen. Prom-ise. (Get it?)
2. Parents Are Not Qualified.
There is no evidence to back this myth. The bulk of university education classes for teachers focus on “crowd control,” following government rules and applying “fairness” in all situations. Little time is spent learning the subjects the future-teachers might actually be teaching.
A motivated parent can find the resources and support needed to teach grammar and middle school. In fact, most homeschool parents talk animatedly about how much fun they have learning things alongside their children.
Once kids hit high school, parents become more facilitator than teacher. Local tutors, homeschool co-op groups and community colleges supply the resources to teach lab sciences, calculus and other advanced subjects.
3. The Big “S”
It comes up all the time, socialization. Most adults you’ll encounter attended a traditional school surrounded for 12 years by kids very close to their own age. It’s likely you did too. That is a pretty limited form of socialization.
Homeschooled kids are surrounded by siblings, friends, and adults of a variety of ages and learn early on to communicate effectively to all of these age groups. You will find a lack of “only 6th graders do this” mentality among homeschoolers. They will accept friends and siblings of many ages in most situations. You will also find an articulate bunch of young people who are comfortable with adults in give-and-take conversations.
You pick which type of socialization you want for your kids.
It doesn’t matter whether you are a brand new homeschooling parent or a 15-year veteran, you will run into these myths over and over. The longer you homeschool, the more you see how unfounded they are. Go ahead and cross these three off your list. When you come across other misconceptions about homeschooling, do some research and put your mind at ease.
You might also like:
* 3 Common Homeschooling Mistakes
