Families come to the decision to home school for many reasons but not without examining three central concerns: socialization, parental qualifications and college prospects. All three are valid concerns but can be easily resolved with a little ingenuity and perseverance. The key to successful schooling at home is reaching out to others to find the resources that will aid you on this journey, whether they are educational materials or people who can offer advice or be a friend to you and your home school children.
Socialization
Many parents are concerned about whether or not their children will be properly socialized if they choose to home school. Friendships and proper social behavior are important aspects of raising well-rounded, competent children. Many communities offer home school support groups. These can often be located through libraries, churches and other organizations like 4H and scouting, which sometimes have clubs made up of home school kids. Field trips, park days, roller skating days, PE get-togethers are easy to arrange and provide ample opportunity for socialization. There are always neighborhood parks, after school activities like dance and gymnastics and summer soccer and baseball team sports.
Parental Qualifications
Perhaps you were not the best student in school and you are concerned that you might be unqualified to teach your own children. Professional teachers know plenty about managing classrooms and devising lesson plans but you have an advantage as a home school teacher. Parents know their child better than anyone else, his strengths and his weaknesses. They know what motivates him and what stresses him. They have at their disposal books, libraries, the internet and other people. If you are weak in math, your husband may not be. Other parents from the home school support group may be able to help you locate materials, give you tips or a lead a group class on dissecting frogs. Read the rest of this entry »
