Research Paper on the Benefits of Homeschooling
Homeschooling is defined
as an educational approach in which children receives most of their education
at home. Oftentimes, the child is taught either by the parents or tutors. This
educational method is largely different from the traditional type of
“schooling” which involves classroom-based education. Home-based learning is
considered as a legal option for parents in many parts of the world. In the
United States alone, there are more than 1 million homeschooled students (Lines,
2000 74-85). A large body of study now suggests that homeschooling has numerous
benefits for both the child and the parent. This includes moral and character
development, flexibility, and an increased parental participation in the
child’s learning experience.
Recent surveys show that
most of the parents who advocate homeschooling believe that a child who
receives his or her education at home is more likely to develop proper social
and moral values. Although public school environment provides the chance to socialize,
it similarly exposes them to negative influences that may affect the child’s
social and moral development. In fact, scholars suggest that discerning and
avoiding harmful values from beneficial values is a quality that is difficult
to for an adult, let alone a child to practice. And this is evident in the
increasing number of school-related bullying, teenage pregnancy, teenage drug
use, and drinking among many others. The growing number of such cases therefore
suggests that it is difficult for most students to handle the pressures and
temptations of the outside world. This is where homeschooling comes in.
Home-based learning allows the parent to monitor and instill the child with
essential moral values. Moral and character development can be integrated as
major part of the curriculum, thus allowing the child to build a strong
foundation that he or she will need in the future.
Another benefit of
homeschooling is that it offers flexibility in learning. This is particularly
beneficial to student with special needs such as physical or mental disability.
Homeschooling allows the parent or the tutor to tailor fit the activities to
suit the student’s need. This way, the pupil gets the most out of his or her
education. Flexibility in learning may also apply in terms of learning style.
Scholars argue that every child has a different and unique learning strategy.
Home-based education allows the parent to adopt a different teaching style that
will cater to the child’s learning capacity. For example, parents or tutors can
teach a child who is a visual learner by using images and audio-visual
materials among many others. Similarly, a kinesthetic learner can be taught
using activities that will allow the pupil to understand the lesson better
(Brian, 2002, p. 50).
In addition to moral
development and flexibility in learning, homeschooling also benefits the parent
as it allows him or her to be an active part of the child’s educational
experience. Studies and researches suggest that homeschooling fosters a
stronger child-parent relationship as compared to public educated students who
feel distant and disconnected with their parents. This is because most
public-educated children often depend on their peers for emotional support. In
addition to this, public-schooled students look up to their friends to find
their sense of identity. On the other hand, homeschooled students are more open
and honest with their emotions to their parents. At the same time, homeschooled
children derive their sense of self from their family as well as from the
values that they see at their home (Parker, 1999, p. 413).
Based on the points
provided, it is apparent that homeschooling presents a number of important
benefits for both the parent and the child. This includes the child’s moral and
character development, flexibility in learning, as well as a better
child-parent relationship.
References
Lines, Patricia. (2000). Homeschooling comes of
age. Public interest, 140. pp. 74-85
Parker, Boak. (1999) Parent-child relationship,
home learning environment and school readiness.
School Psychology review, 28 p. 413
Ray, Brian. (2002).
Customization through homeschooling. Educational
Leadership, 59. p.50
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