Homeschooling, as an effective educational program, has undergone numerous debates. In fact, opinions are equally divided between the pros and the cons. Homeschooling, indeed, offers benefits for the child but like many things, there are also some downsides to implementing the program. It is therefore best to know the pros and cons before you get your kid into the program. It is up to the parents to sift through the positives and the negatives of homeschooling.
Pros
Flexible structure
One of the things that puts homeschooling in stellar position is the fact that it is highly flexible and dynamic. Unlike traditional curriculum which is fixed, the homeschooling system allows changes, in fact it encourages them.
Tailor-fit to the child
Because of the fluid structure of homeschooling programs, the lessons can be tailor-fitted to the child’s capability, pace and learning style. There is no pressure to keep up with the lesson of the day and students can start or finish their lessons any time of the day.
More practical learning activities
Homescholing is an unstructured educational program, which allows for more freedom in terms of learning activities. Parents can actually decide on what to do to better teach the subject. This means that there can be more unstructured learning exercises such as visits to zoos or museums.
Cons
Lacking in social interaction
One of the downsides of homeschooling program is the fact that it lacks the social component, which teaches the child to interact with other people. This is especially needed during the stage when the social and communication skills of children are just developing. To supplement the absence of this component, some parents organize social activities for their children.
Time constraints
Although time is rarely a factor in homeschooling because of the lack of a structure, it only applies to the children. It will be time consuming for the parents, some of which have to leave their work to go full time in teaching their children. Remember that you have to be with your homeschooling child all through out his or her lesson. In addition, a lot of time need to be given to correcting worksheets and making visuals.
Money problems
Although there is actually no tuition fee for a homeschooling program, the money problems come in when one of the marriage partner has to leave work to teach the child. Remember that homeschooling can take so much time. For parents who both have careers, sacrificing one source of income can be pretty hard for the whole family.