Is homeschooling right for my child?
Homeschooling is increasing in popularity
Traditionally, home-schooling has attracted a certain degree of stigma from stakeholders in the education world. Some parents may have preconceptions about home-schooled children feeling more isolated, with an atrophied ability to communicate and socialise. Thanks to the work of evidence-informed pedagogy, as well as continual improvement in the standard of service offered, this stigma is gradually being overcome. The popularity of home-schooling has grown significantly during the last twenty years, a phenomenon which is observable not just in the UK, but globally.
Nevertheless, the decision to follow the homeschooling route is not one taken lightly, and many parents will rightly ask whether homeschooling is right for their child. The answer to this question is, of course, highly dependent on context. Any number of factors can be at play in influencing your decision to explore the home-schooling route for your child. Here, we explore some of the benefits of homeschooling, the challenges that homeschooling can bring and the measures that can be taken to overcome them.
What are the advantages of homeschooling?
Homeschooling offers myriad advantages which are particularly appealing to new parents who are considering education options. One of the most significant benefits is the ability to tailor learning experiences to a child's unique pace, learning style and interests, fostering a deeper love for education through personalised practice. Unlike traditional schooling environments that often follow a one-size-fits-all approach, homeschooling eliminates the one-dimensional teaching methods and replaces them with customised lesson plans that can evolve with your child's growth. Furthermore, with a focused and familiar home environment, children experience minimal distraction. This optimal setting encourages concentration and allows for a continuity of learning that can be difficult to achieve in a conventional classroom setting where numerous stimuli vie for a student's attention. By choosing homeschooling, parents have the opportunity to cultivate a nurturing and distraction-free learning atmosphere that can significantly benefit their child's educational journey.
What does a homeschooling lesson look like?
One of the great benefits of homeschooling is that students can cover months of content in the space of weeks, or even days. The focused atmosphere, away from distraction, ensures that student attention is firmly fixed upon the task at hand. As a demonstration of what can be covered within the space of a single hour lesson, we have included here a typical lesson plan for a homeschooling lesson on cell biology, for iGCSE Biology:
Introduction (5 minutes):
Start the lesson by discussing the importance of cells in living organisms.
Teacher explanation: cells are the basic unit of life and are responsible for various functions.
Teacher asks the student what they already know about cells and their components. Write down their responses on Google Classroom.
Cell Structure (20 minutes):
Teacher presents an overview of cell structure, including the cell membrane, cytoplasm, and nucleus on Google Classroom.
Teacher uses diagrams or models to illustrate the different parts of a cell and their functions.
Teacher explanation: roles of each organelle (e.g., mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus) within the cell.
Teacher asks questions, and an extended writing task, to ensure understanding.
Cell Types (10 minutes):
Teacher discusses the differences between plant and animal cells. Highlights unique structures in plant cells like the cell wall, chloroplasts, and central vacuole.
Student compares and contrasts the structures of plant and animal cells using diagrams or visual aids.
Microscopy (10 minutes):
Teacher introduces the concept of microscopy and its importance in studying cells.
Teacher explanation: the basics of using a microscope, including how to prepare a slide and adjust magnification.
Activity (10 minutes):
Teacher provides a worksheet which requires the student to label the parts of a cell using diagrams.
Teacher encourages the student to identify and describe the functions of each organelle.
Conclusion and Recap (5 minutes):
Teacher summarises the key points covered in the lesson about cell structure, types, and microscopy.
Student explains the main functions of different organelles in their own words.
Will homeschooling work for my child?
The first point to emphasise when considering the suitability of homeschooling is that it can be an excellent choice for any student provided the programme is well thought through, rigorous and tailored to the student’s needs. Having said this, there are a number of different circumstances in which homeschooling is particularly advantageous as compared to traditional schooling options.
For gifted and talented children. Whether their talents lie in the world of academia, or in other areas such as music or theatre, homeschooling can be a great option for gifted and talented children. Students who are aspirational academically can benefit enormously from having a one-to-one tutor on hand to constantly challenge them, whilst students who spend a lot of time on extra-curricular activities are able to plan their study at times which would be impossible in a regular school setting, for example during the evenings.
Young professional athletes. Whether in tennis, football, sailing or formula one racing, young athletes often have to follow a busy training regimen which makes significant demands on their time. Homeschooling is a great way of meeting these demands whilst ensuring that the student does not fall behind academically.
Itinerant families. There are any number of circumstances which necessitate regular travel for either whole families or certain family members. Children within those families who regularly travel from one country to another can experience disruption with regard to their education. Homeschooling, either in person or online, can help to mitigate and even neutralise the impact of travelling on the child’s education, helping them to excel from anywhere in the world.
Families living in countries with sub-standard schooling options. Not all countries are able to offer schooling of the quality you will see in the UK. Where schools are sub-standard homeschooling can be a much better way to ensure your child’s success at GCSE, A-Level or IB.
Students with Special Educational Needs (SEN). Provision for SEN in schools has improved significantly in the last fifty years. That being said, the very nature of a classroom means that an SEN student receives only a fraction of the teacher’s attention, when in fact they need much closer supervision, as well as more supportive scaffolding in their learning. Homeschooling is the best way to ensure that neurodivergent students can learn in the way that suits them, in an atmosphere that allows students to make mistakes, as well as supports them in learning from them.
What are the challenges associated with homeschooling, and how can they be overcome?
Homeschooling, while offering a tailored educational experience, often brings forth challenges in assuring adequate social interaction for children. New parents, in particular, face the daunting task of preventing the isolation that can accompany a home-based learning environment. While homeschooled children may excel academically, it is important that they engage regularly with peers and cultivate friendships outside of the familial structure. Parents should ensure that there are ample opportunities for their children to connect and interact with others. This will facilitate a well-rounded upbringing that encompasses both academic growth and essential social development. Sport is a great way of facilitating socialisation, but this can also be done through academic clubs, reading groups, orchestras, choirs and amateur theatre companies.
Another challenge associated with homeschooling is no less fundamental: the quality of provision. Many homeschooling services provide weekly mentoring and termly reports which are crucial to structuring and guiding the process. Where possible, it is helpful to arrange regular lesson times to ensure that the requisite material is being covered week on week, although this may be difficult for some students, such as those balancing academic and sporting activities.
Homeschooling at Chapkin Edwards
With a team of highly qualified tutors on hand to provide structure and support, Chapkin Edwards’ homeschooling offering is among the best in the industry. If you would are exploring homeschooling as a viable option for your child and require advice, please contact us here.