My opinion - coming from seeing and testing many kids - both school traditionally and those homeschooled:
In GENERAL - I feel that homeschooling provides opportunities for things that traditional school does not, like special field trips or hands-on learning experiences.
BUT, nearly all of the homeschooled kids seems to lack social awareness. They don't seem to know how to interact as well, especially with other kids.
It's my opinion that traditional schools teach more to children than just "book stuff" - teamwork, interaction, etc. That I think all kids need, especially if they want to participate well in the working world.
I attended a school in Toledo from 7th to 12th grade that had a very strong home school program. Therefore, I went to school with these kids.
The students involved in the program would come in for classes that their respective parent couldn't offer at home: some art classes, gym, etc. And also, all homes chooled students were always considered part of our class - were in our yearbooks, could come to events, sports games, etc.
Did they? Very seldom.
When they did come, did they seamlessly blend in or feel part of the class?
Seriously? I don't think so. I really, truly don't.
I'm a HUGE believer that a large part of education is the successful integration of the child into social experiences. It is my opinion that a well-socialized child will absolutely feel comfortable later in life in social and work environments. A child who is taught in the comfort of his/her own home with his/her loving, accepting family has not had the valuable teachable experiences that a child who is taught within a school does.
Classmates are tough. Kids get made fun of. Cliques form. Teachers sometimes don't like certain students.
MUCH of this builds character, in my opinion.
Some could argue that the quality of education in today's schools is lacking - well, if that's the case - supplement it. I wouldn't take my child completely out of the system.
NOTE: There ARE children who require a different educational path. I understand and respect that. A good friend of mine didn't attend school her senior year, but instead did a, "walk-about" and learned in real-life environments and that's awesome. I respect that.
I think a little part of me is tired of us telling our kids that they're the smartest, most deserving creatures out there. I fear that this breeds a notion of entitlement that has soured much of our generation. It is important to learn to be part of the class, to deal with people you'd rather push in front of moving truck. To welcome a new person to a seat at your lunch table, to make change in the lunch line. To have some independence from mom and dad.
I'm actively involved in the Charter school movement. I have had a closer look these last 4 years at the different aspects of public, private, and in home education.
I feel that Homeschooling can be wonderful, IF you are dedicated enough to truly teach everything COMPLETELY, and if you are actively involved in other social settings (church, playgroups, sports, etc.) I don't think you have to attend school to learn valuable social skills.
That being said, I think the majority of families who homeschool aren't putting in the effort in these areas to actually make it the valuable experience it could be.
I know I couldn't pull it off, but I also know that I would never put my kids back in a neighborhood public school, after my experience with our charter school.
I could never homeschool just because I would have to... stay home. I love my job, no way! I think homeschool kids can learn just as much about books and lessons at home but they miss out on a lot of the social experiences that help adjust them to adult life later- for example my friend Adam whose mom homeschooled him because she had cancer- sure, he is super smart, but he totally fails at interacting with people and couldn't handle all the "rules" of college and dropped out.
Though I am not against homeschooling at all if the parents are in it 100% and the kids are involved in different social activities/sports/groups, I will not personally homeschool my children. I think that the lessons learned going to school are invaluable. Even if you hated school (like myself) or loved it, it is a very important part of your development that is necessary and will benefit you through college and the workforce.
Of course I went to a smaller school that had a very well-rounded educational system. Maybe my views would be different if I went to a different school or may be different depending on where we send our kids to school. Who knows.
Also, I do agree with Sarah about the fact that there are opportunities that homeschooling can provide that many schools currently do not provide. I also think that one on one teaching allows students to learn more and really understand what they are learning. However, parents just being very active in their kids schooling while they go to an acutal school could also provide similar results.
I wonder what makes any parent feel that they are more qualified than a teacher to homeschool their children? I think making that decision for a child is extremely selfish. Most parent's (not all) who choose to homeschool their child/ren have trust issues, and have separation issues. I believe interacting with our children plays a very important role in their development, but when it comes to schooling, I feel that it is best left up to the teachers. If your school in your area does not suffice, perhaps look into moving, or private schools. Social interaction with other children (& without Mommy & Daddy) plays a key role in any child's development.
Do you agree that the experiences we have in school, help shape who we become as adults? You cannot shelter your child/ren from life. You are robbing them of a youth, that they will never be able to get back.
I think homeschooling is for a "certain time and place" type of school situation. I'll elaborate, but I apologize if this becomes long-winded.
If homeschooling is to be done, it needs to be done correctly; meaning, children NEED to have opportunities to interact with other children. The term "homeschooling" includes all the available options to children who attend public schools (otherwise it would just be known as "home-education"). Schooling incorporates the "indirect education" that children learn through interaction with other children. For example, you can sit a child down in front of as many Barney episodes that emphasize sharing until you are blue in the face, but children will never actually learn to share (or what sharing really is) until they are given the opportunity to engage in sharing. So, allowing children to be involved in weekly YMCA sports, dance classes, academic competitions, etc. allow children to actively learn from other students.
Schooling is not simply about what you learn from books or from a teacher. The reason there is so many drama in school, so much emphasis on things such as recess, is because school-aged children ages five onward (especially as chidlren move towards adolescence) learn so much of themselves through comparison with others. Yes, this at times can become hurtful and harmful. Yet children learn right versus wrong also by observing what others do wrong, not just doing wrong themselves.
My biggest concern with homeschooling is how the situation will change as time goes on. Suppose a child is homeschooled and that child insists on going to college. That child has known nothing other than one room, one desk, one student, one teacher, five days a week for a specified numbers of hours a day. It will be an irrefutable culture shock for that child. This is where, in my opinion, homeschooling does a disservice. At some point the child will need to interact with other children his/her own age in order to acclimate themselves to society. Again, this involves my earlier argument that you can give that teenager going off to college all the advice in the world. But, if he/she has not been in a situation where they had to move from room to room (or building to building) for classes, had more than one professor, interacted on a highly personal level with other students, and in the very least gained some independence, you will have one of two situations: a complete rebellion against their earlier lifestyle, or no acclimation at all. Simply, the child will be screwed either way.
I guess to summarize my thoughts: homeschooling is a great option for younger children. But by the age of ten or so (fourth or fifth grade) and preferably by age eight, the child needs to be "mainstreamed" in order to have necessary social and independent skills.
I lack the discipline to homeschool a child, nor do I have the desire to. But, in this day and age, I completely understand why some parents choose to homeschool, especially if they can only afford to live in a failing school district. And I think schools fail not necessarily because of teachers, curriculum, and administration, but rather a lack of parental involvement or concern. I do agree that school teaches some valuable life lessons that cannot be taught in books. The experience of going to school is valuable in and of itself.
I think there is a definite stigma attached to homeschooling, but I also think, if it must be analyzed, it should be done on a case-by-case basis. Sure, I know of sheltered homeschooled kids. But I also know that my BFF was homeschooled, and she is one of the most intelligent and well-integrated members of society that I have ever met.
A lot more kids are being homeschooled now because their parents choose not to fulfill the mandatory public school entrance requirement of immunizing their children.
Of course there are some obvious exceptions, but overall, I think people do what's right for their families.
9 comments:
My opinion - coming from seeing and testing many kids - both school traditionally and those homeschooled:
In GENERAL - I feel that homeschooling provides opportunities for things that traditional school does not, like special field trips or hands-on learning experiences.
BUT, nearly all of the homeschooled kids seems to lack social awareness. They don't seem to know how to interact as well, especially with other kids.
It's my opinion that traditional schools teach more to children than just "book stuff" - teamwork, interaction, etc. That I think all kids need, especially if they want to participate well in the working world.
I attended a school in Toledo from 7th to 12th grade that had a very strong home school program. Therefore, I went to school with these kids.
The students involved in the program would come in for classes that their respective parent couldn't offer at home: some art classes, gym, etc. And also, all homes chooled students were always considered part of our class - were in our yearbooks, could come to events, sports games, etc.
Did they? Very seldom.
When they did come, did they seamlessly blend in or feel part of the class?
Seriously? I don't think so. I really, truly don't.
I'm a HUGE believer that a large part of education is the successful integration of the child into social experiences. It is my opinion that a well-socialized child will absolutely feel comfortable later in life in social and work environments. A child who is taught in the comfort of his/her own home with his/her loving, accepting family has not had the valuable teachable experiences that a child who is taught within a school does.
Classmates are tough. Kids get made fun of. Cliques form. Teachers sometimes don't like certain students.
MUCH of this builds character, in my opinion.
Some could argue that the quality of education in today's schools is lacking - well, if that's the case - supplement it. I wouldn't take my child completely out of the system.
NOTE: There ARE children who require a different educational path. I understand and respect that. A good friend of mine didn't attend school her senior year, but instead did a, "walk-about" and learned in real-life environments and that's awesome. I respect that.
I think a little part of me is tired of us telling our kids that they're the smartest, most deserving creatures out there. I fear that this breeds a notion of entitlement that has soured much of our generation. It is important to learn to be part of the class, to deal with people you'd rather push in front of moving truck. To welcome a new person to a seat at your lunch table, to make change in the lunch line. To have some independence from mom and dad.
Life ain't easy and school teaches that.
I'm actively involved in the Charter school movement. I have had a closer look these last 4 years at the different aspects of public, private, and in home education.
I feel that Homeschooling can be wonderful, IF you are dedicated enough to truly teach everything COMPLETELY, and if you are actively involved in other social settings (church, playgroups, sports, etc.) I don't think you have to attend school to learn valuable social skills.
That being said, I think the majority of families who homeschool aren't putting in the effort in these areas to actually make it the valuable experience it could be.
I know I couldn't pull it off, but I also know that I would never put my kids back in a neighborhood public school, after my experience with our charter school.
I could never homeschool just because I would have to... stay home. I love my job, no way! I think homeschool kids can learn just as much about books and lessons at home but they miss out on a lot of the social experiences that help adjust them to adult life later- for example my friend Adam whose mom homeschooled him because she had cancer- sure, he is super smart, but he totally fails at interacting with people and couldn't handle all the "rules" of college and dropped out.
Though I am not against homeschooling at all if the parents are in it 100% and the kids are involved in different social activities/sports/groups, I will not personally homeschool my children. I think that the lessons learned going to school are invaluable. Even if you hated school (like myself) or loved it, it is a very important part of your development that is necessary and will benefit you through college and the workforce.
Of course I went to a smaller school that had a very well-rounded educational system. Maybe my views would be different if I went to a different school or may be different depending on where we send our kids to school. Who knows.
Also, I do agree with Sarah about the fact that there are opportunities that homeschooling can provide that many schools currently do not provide. I also think that one on one teaching allows students to learn more and really understand what they are learning. However, parents just being very active in their kids schooling while they go to an acutal school could also provide similar results.
I wonder what makes any parent feel that they are more qualified than a teacher to homeschool their children? I think making that decision for a child is extremely selfish. Most parent's (not all) who choose to homeschool their child/ren have trust issues, and have separation issues. I believe interacting with our children plays a very important role in their development, but when it comes to schooling, I feel that it is best left up to the teachers. If your school in your area does not suffice, perhaps look into moving, or private schools. Social interaction with other children (& without Mommy & Daddy) plays a key role in any child's development.
Do you agree that the experiences we have in school, help shape who we become as adults? You cannot shelter your child/ren from life. You are robbing them of a youth, that they will never be able to get back.
- A High School Math Teacher
I think homeschooling is for a "certain time and place" type of school situation. I'll elaborate, but I apologize if this becomes long-winded.
If homeschooling is to be done, it needs to be done correctly; meaning, children NEED to have opportunities to interact with other children. The term "homeschooling" includes all the available options to children who attend public schools (otherwise it would just be known as "home-education"). Schooling incorporates the "indirect education" that children learn through interaction with other children. For example, you can sit a child down in front of as many Barney episodes that emphasize sharing until you are blue in the face, but children will never actually learn to share (or what sharing really is) until they are given the opportunity to engage in sharing. So, allowing children to be involved in weekly YMCA sports, dance classes, academic competitions, etc. allow children to actively learn from other students.
Schooling is not simply about what you learn from books or from a teacher. The reason there is so many drama in school, so much emphasis on things such as recess, is because school-aged children ages five onward (especially as chidlren move towards adolescence) learn so much of themselves through comparison with others. Yes, this at times can become hurtful and harmful. Yet children learn right versus wrong also by observing what others do wrong, not just doing wrong themselves.
My biggest concern with homeschooling is how the situation will change as time goes on. Suppose a child is homeschooled and that child insists on going to college. That child has known nothing other than one room, one desk, one student, one teacher, five days a week for a specified numbers of hours a day. It will be an irrefutable culture shock for that child. This is where, in my opinion, homeschooling does a disservice. At some point the child will need to interact with other children his/her own age in order to acclimate themselves to society. Again, this involves my earlier argument that you can give that teenager going off to college all the advice in the world. But, if he/she has not been in a situation where they had to move from room to room (or building to building) for classes, had more than one professor, interacted on a highly personal level with other students, and in the very least gained some independence, you will have one of two situations: a complete rebellion against their earlier lifestyle, or no acclimation at all. Simply, the child will be screwed either way.
I guess to summarize my thoughts: homeschooling is a great option for younger children. But by the age of ten or so (fourth or fifth grade) and preferably by age eight, the child needs to be "mainstreamed" in order to have necessary social and independent skills.
I lack the discipline to homeschool a child, nor do I have the desire to. But, in this day and age, I completely understand why some parents choose to homeschool, especially if they can only afford to live in a failing school district. And I think schools fail not necessarily because of teachers, curriculum, and administration, but rather a lack of parental involvement or concern. I do agree that school teaches some valuable life lessons that cannot be taught in books. The experience of going to school is valuable in and of itself.
I think there is a definite stigma attached to homeschooling, but I also think, if it must be analyzed, it should be done on a case-by-case basis. Sure, I know of sheltered homeschooled kids. But I also know that my BFF was homeschooled, and she is one of the most intelligent and well-integrated members of society that I have ever met.
A lot more kids are being homeschooled now because their parents choose not to fulfill the mandatory public school entrance requirement of immunizing their children.
Of course there are some obvious exceptions, but overall, I think people do what's right for their families.
Ok - what do you think, Nadja?
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