Homeschooling Pros and Cons for Kids and Parents
Jess Faraday
Before the COVID-19 pandemic , just over three percent of American families homeschooled their children. In the years since, that number has jumped to just over 11 percent overall, and as much as 16 percent among Black and Hispanic families (Eggleston and Fields, 2021).
Today, families considering homeschooling h ave a wide range of resources at their disposal. From packaged homeschool lesson plans to websites and meetups, and even activity groups just for homeschoolers, all of the ingredients are there to help homeschooling parents make the most of their child’s education.
But doing homeschooling right can be a huge commitment and a lot of work. It’s definitely not for everyone, and that’s okay.
Is homeschooling right for your family?
Related: Can Homeschoolers Go to College? Learn How to Apply
Academic Benefits of Homeschooling
Homeschooling has some distinct advantages over traditional school. For families who homeschool during the early years and send their children to a traditional high school, the benefits are still there.
Homeschool families like to point out that students with a homeschooling education often score higher on academic achievement tests than students from conventional schools. This is true — at least when students follow a structured homeschool curriculum. Though the opposite is true for students who have not followed a structured program (Goodwin, 2021).
Smaller Class Sizes and Individualized Attention
Academic benefits come down to a combination of small group size and individualized curriculum.
Homeschooled children can learn at their own pace rather than being chained to the progress of a larger group. This means that students who struggle with some subject areas are free to go over the material as often as they need to. It also means that students can move more quickly through the material that’s easy for them.
Personalized Lessons That Meet Kids’ Needs
Another benefit is that families can tailor lessons to an individual student’s interests, needs, and learning style . The current educational system simply doesn’t have the resources to do this for every student.
More Educational Freedom
Some parents choose to homeschool out of concern for the learning environment: what is being taught and how.
Educating children at home gives families control over both of these factors. Many states require homeschooled students to study certain core subjects, such as math, reading and writing, but homeschool families can decide how to approach subjects such as moral and religious education.
Social Benefits of Homeschooling
Proponents of traditional schooling often express concern that homeschooled kids are missing out on opportunities to bond with their peers. This isn’t necessarily true.
A Strong Homeschooling Community
As home education becomes more widespread, homeschool groups for study and extracurricular activities have appeared for just this purpose. Homeschool networks allow parents to organize get-togethers for study, play, field trips, and more.
Less Peer Pressure and Bullying
Families concerned about peer pressure or problems with their local public schools no longer need to choose between educational and social development
Homeschooling families have greater control over their children’s social interaction — who, where, when, and how. So rates of bullying are far less in a homeschool environment.
Flexible Schedules and Special Accommodations
Home education can be the best option for families with certain concerns, including:
- Professional or family obligations that require a flexible schedule
- Religious or moral concerns
- Special needs that can’t be met by the school system or at a private school
Academic Disadvantages of Homeschooling
Homeschooling is hard work, and it’s not right for everyone. Before embarking upon this journey, it’s important to understand some of the challenges that you might face.
It’s easy to underestimate how difficult the job of teaching can be—in a lot of ways.
Lack of Structure
One of the benefits of home study is a flexible schedule. But that shouldn’t mean “anything goes.” A lack of structure can mean wasted time, and that can mean falling behind very quickly.
Setting up up a home schoolroom and having dedicated school hours can help to keep your family on track.
Limited Resources
Homeschoolers have a lot of resources and options, especially online. However, if you’re living in an isolated area, you may have a lot less opportunity for social activities and field trips.
Potential for Knowledge Gaps
Credentialed teachers study specialized techniques for teaching reading, writing, numeracy, and more. It’s harder than a lot of people think. And as your children grow older, the gaps between what you know and what they will need to know will grow.
Moreover, if your kids have special needs, such as learning disabilities, you may have to hire outside professional assistance. After a long day of working with your kids, you may find yourself using your “free time” to play catch-up.
Access to Higher Education
Finally, some universities accept academic credit from homeschool study, but many do not . You’ll need to plan ahead to make sure your child has the most options when they reach adulthood.
Emotional and Social Disadvantages of Homeschooling
Homeschooling also poses emotional challenges for both parents and kids.
Homeschool Parent Burnout
We all love spending time with our kids, but for homeschool parents, that time can seem endless.
Being a homeschool teacher can mean always being “on.” Burnout is common, and when you are the teacher, principal, social director, and janitor, it’s hard to find time for a break.
Social Isolation
Homeschooling can also be isolating. Most other kids will be at school, and many other parents will be at work. Being a homeschool parent means carving out the time for self-care and for adult social interaction , and that can be challenging.
Logistical Challenges of Homeschooling
Schools have lots of different personnel to facilitate academics, field trips , sports, social activities, teaching life skills , and so forth. But when you’re homeschooling, it’s all you.
You will have to make the opportunities for socializing. You will have to direct sports activities. You will have to organize field trips. And on and on.
This can be daunting, but it’s not impossible. If you’re not naturally organized, however, you may need a crash course in organization and time management.
You’ll need plans for each day. You’ll need yearly plans to make sure your kids meet state requirements for each grade. And you’ll want to plan in the long term so that your kids learn what they need to learn and gather the necessary credits for university or career education.
Financial Challenges of Homeschooling
Homeschooling can be expensive.
Pre-made homeschool lesson plans can run as high as $600 per year per child. If you want to join a homeschool group (or “learning pod”), that can cost several hundred dollars a week (Guha, 2022).
Other expenses may include:
- School supplies like pens, books, etc.
- Tutors or special needs learning specialists
- Field trips (museum admissions, transportation, and so on)
- Sports activities
- Outside classes
You’ll also have to factor in having one unpaid adult at home, rather than the two incomes that many families have.
How to Make an Informed Decision About Homeschooling
Is a homeschool education the right learning experience for your family? Ask yourself a few questions.
Do You Know the Law?
Many states have laws and requirements to make sure that students who study at home learn the subjects they need to succeed in adult life. Some states also require homeschool instructors to pass a general knowledge test. Other states test homeschooled students periodically to make sure they’re keeping up with their peers.
Those laws vary by state. The Homeschool Legal Defense Association has a state-by-state breakdown here .
Are You Organized?
A homeschooling parent is a teacher, curriculum designer, school psychologist, activity director, social director, and more. You will have to have organized lesson plans that give your children the knowledge they’ll need to succeed.
You’ll also have to make opportunities for them to engage with their peers and develop appropriate social skills.
You may also have to provide records of what, when, and how you teach your students, to state authorities, or later to colleges and universities.
That’s a lot of balls to juggle. But if you can do it, you may have what it takes to be an excellent homeschool parent.
Are You Willing to Study?
Do you remember everything you were taught as a child? Me, either. But if you want to homeschool your kids, you’re going to have to learn, or re-learn school subjects well enough to teach them. Even the subjects you hated.
And you’ll have to familiarize yourself with your child’s study materials so you can answer the questions that will inevitably arise.
You might also consider taking child development courses through your local community college so that you’re familiar with the educational milestones and techniques to help your kids to meet them.
Do you love to learn? You could be an awesome homeschool teacher!
Can Your Family Afford it?
Doing homeschooling right is a full-time job. It’s unpaid, and materials and field trips can get expensive. Can your family afford to have one full-time unpaid teacher at home? If not, are you willing to get creative to make it happen? If so, you’ll be in good company!
Do You Have a Solid Social Network?
Education isn’t only academics. One of the most important parts of education is learning social skills . In school, opportunities to interact with other kids and adults are built in. But if you’re educating your kids at home, you’ll need to seek out regular social opportunities for your kids.
This can be hard if you’re not naturally outgoing, or if there are limited social opportunities in your area. Homeschool groups, sports clubs, youth groups, and service organizations are a few places to start.
Are You Willing to Work Hard?
For many homeschooling parents, educating their children is the most rewarding and important thing they will ever do. And like everything that’s important and rewarding, it can be nonstop.
Are you ready to spend a lot of time organizing and interacting with your kids? Are you prepared to constantly seek out new academic and social opportunities? Are you prepared to do these things even when you’re frustrated, burnt out, and just don’t feel like it?
Then you just may be a homeschooler!
Resources for Families Considering Homeschooling
Curious? Here are a few resources to start your research.
The Homeschool Legal Defense Association should be your first stop for learning about the laws in your area. They also have resources for putting together lesson plans, addressing special needs, preparing your child for the real world, and more.
The Homeschool Mom has a variety of resources about types of home education, curricula, planning your school year, and so forth.
The Homeschool Resource Room has a handy roundup of free resources for homeschooling families.
Eggleston, C. and Fields, J. (2021, March 22). Census Bureau’s Household Pulse Survey Shows Significant Increase in Homeschooling Rates in Fall 2020. Census.gov. https://www.census.gov/library/stories/2021/03/homeschooling-on-the-rise-during-covid-19-pandemic.html
Goodwin, C. (2021, September 1). The Research on Homeschooling. Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/parenting-translator/202109/the-research-homeschooling
Guha, N. (2022, January 26). How Much Does Homeschooling Cost? Parents. https://www.parents.com/kids/education/home-schooling/homeschooling-costs/
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Home > Blog > Tips for Online Students > Pros and Cons of Homeschooling
Higher Education News , Tips for Online Students
Pros and Cons of Homeschooling
Updated: August 15, 2024
Published: February 2, 2020
Whether you are a parent considering homeschooling a child or an adult thinking about studying online, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons before making a decision. Homeschooling and online education have gained popularity in recent years, offering flexibility and personalized learning experiences.
However, they also come with their own set of challenges. In this article, we’ll explore the benefits and drawbacks of homeschooling for children and adults to help you decide if it’s the right choice for you.
Pros and Cons of Homeschooling a Child
Homeschooling has become increasingly popular in recent years, with about 3.1 million students being homeschooled in the United States during the 2021-2022 school year. This represents roughly 6% of school-age children, a significant increase from 2.5 million in 2019. The trend shows that homeschooling is growing rapidly and is now considered a mainstream educational option. Homeschooling offers a unique, personalized learning experience, but it also comes with its own set of challenges. Let’s explore the pros and cons of homeschooling a child to help you decide if it’s the right fit for your family:
Pros of Homeschooling
Easier to teach and easier to learn.
Teaching one-on-one means adapting your teaching method to the child’s individual learning style, which makes for more effective learning. If the child is visual, you can include photographs, graphs, and charts in your teaching to help them absorb the material more easily. If the child is easily bored, you can include more activity, movement, and interactivity and take more breaks.
Discipline issues in the classroom are avoided
As your child isn’t sharing a classroom with 20 to 30 other children, the educational material can be studied more rapidly, as behavior and discipline issues in the classroom do not waste a significant percentage of the learning hours. This means that there is more free time, more time for extracurricular activities and socializing, and more rest/sleep time, which aids in concentration.
Photo by JESHOOTS.COM on Unsplash
Adaptation to special considerations.
If your child has a special consideration, perhaps a learning disability, physical disability or has ADHD, for instance, then you will have the complete flexibility to adapt the learning to the child’s specific needs.
Makes good use of time
By teaching a child at home, you can move along faster on subjects that are easier, without having to wait for other children to catch up. You can also spend more time teaching difficult concepts in order to ensure that your child understands fully, without holding up other children.
Stronger family bonds
Homeschooling allows for more quality time between parents and children, fostering stronger relationships and better family cohesion. This increased interaction can lead to a deeper understanding and trust between family members, creating a supportive and nurturing home environment.
Cons of Homeschooling
There are plenty of free and paid resources available. However, when asking yourself the question, “Should I homeschool my child?” you need to take into account the cost of the homeschool educator not working outside of the home. This would mean that the family would need to live on one income, which may not be possible for every household.
Adapting your child to a new reality
When your child is transferring to homeschooling from a school environment, there will be a period of adaptation. They will need to adjust to the flexibility, to being with a parent all day long, and to the lack of extracurricular school activities like competitive sports, school assemblies, social activities in the playground, etc.
The parent must ensure that the child has social time outside of learning hours so that the child has friends and develops social, intercultural, and interpersonal skills.
No social interaction during study time
Homeschooling means that the child is not socializing with children all day long as in the school system. They will therefore need additional activities outside of learning time in order to be with other children. Perhaps a gym class, basketball, soccer, art, music or swimming. You will, therefore, need to invest time in making contact with other children in the neighborhood and being proactive to encourage them to socialize.
Parental burnout
Homeschooling can be demanding on parents, leading to burnout and stress, especially if they are balancing other responsibilities or lack support. The constant need to plan lessons, teach, and manage household duties can become overwhelming, making it essential for parents to seek help and take breaks when needed.
Homeschooling For Adults (AKA: Studying Online)
Now, let’s take a look at homeschooling for adults — or more commonly known as studying online.
Online learning can include short skill-based courses from programs like Coursera , Udemy , and LinkedIn Learning . It can also include studying for a bachelor’s or master’s degree online.
There is a wide choice of online colleges, but it is important to always make sure that you research them first to ensure that your chosen degree is fully accredited.
Just as with homeschooling for children, there are advantages and disadvantages.
Affordable and accessible
Online education often costs significantly less than traditional in-person programs. Additionally, you save on commuting, housing, and other expenses associated with attending a physical campus. This affordability makes higher education more accessible to a broader range of people, allowing them to pursue their educational goals without incurring heavy debt.
Keep your existing commitments with no disruption to family or work
Studying online allows you to maintain your current job and family responsibilities while earning your degree. You can create a flexible study schedule that fits around your work hours and personal life, ensuring that you don’t have to sacrifice one for the other.
Avoid student debt and financial stress
You can minimize or avoid student debt by choosing more affordable online programs and possibly continuing to work while studying. This financial flexibility reduces stress and allows you to focus more on your studies and less on how you’ll repay large loans after graduation.
Flexibility
Online learning provides the flexibility to study at your own pace and on your own schedule. Whether you’re a night owl or an early bird, you can access course materials, participate in discussions, and complete assignments when it’s most convenient for you. This flexibility is ideal for those who need to balance education with other life commitments.
Less social interaction during study time
Unlike traditional college environments, online learning can be isolating. You miss out on face-to-face interactions with classmates and professors, which can affect your networking opportunities and the overall college experience. To counter this, it’s essential to seek out online study groups or local meetups to stay connected with peers.
Requires determination and motivation
Online learning demands a high level of self-discipline and motivation . Without the structure of a traditional classroom, it’s easy to procrastinate or fall behind. Successful online students need to be proactive in managing their time and staying on top of their coursework.
Requires planning, organizing and good time management
Managing your studies independently means you must be organized and have strong time management skills. Balancing assignments, exams, and personal responsibilities requires careful planning and the ability to prioritize tasks effectively. Using tools like calendars, to-do lists, and study schedules can help keep you on track.
Limited access to campus resources
Online students may miss out on the benefits of campus facilities such as libraries, study centers, and academic advising in person. While many online programs offer virtual resources, they might not fully replicate the support and community found on a physical campus. It’s important to utilize available online resources and seek additional support as needed.
How to Start Your Higher Education Journey from Home
Working towards a new, rewarding career is not an inaccessible dream but a realistic goal that can be achieved. If you are up for the challenge, University of the People (UoPeople) will guide you on your journey.
Accredited online universities like UoPeople enable you to access top-quality higher education while maintaining all your existing commitments . It’s easier than you think, and all you need to do is follow this 5-step process:
- Select a profession or subject: A good place to start is to compare salaries in your country. Websites like Payscale , Glassdoor, and Indeed provide excellent insights into salary ranges and job vacancies in your region, helping you make an informed decision.
- Choose an online university: UoPeople is a great option, as it is accredited , tuition-free , and offers a variety of degree programs .
- Check credit transfer options: If you have existing credits from prior learning, check if they can be transferred . This will save you money and reduce your study time.
- Secure your spot at the university: Once you’ve made your decision, enroll in your chosen program.
- Sharpen your learning skills: Improving your study habits will help you achieve better grades and enhance your learning experience. Check out these study skills tips to get started.
UoPeople is the first non-profit, American-accredited, tuition-free university designed to help anyone overcome financial, geographic, political, and personal constraints to study. We offer associate and bachelor’s degree programs in Business Administration , Computer Science , and Health Science , as well as an MBA and a Master’s in Education .
The online learning market is growing rapidly, with projected revenue reaching $58.45 billion in 2024 and expected to grow to $75.52 billion by 2029. The surge in popularity highlights the increasing acceptance and recognition of online education by employers worldwide, making now the perfect time to start your journey with online learning from home.
Photo by Christin Hume on Unsplash
There are pros and cons of homeschooling, whether it is for a parent teaching a child at home or for an adult studying online from home.
If you are a parent, you need to consider the needs of your child and weigh up whether or not you can make the commitment, both financially and emotionally.
If you are an adult wanting to get ahead in your career, remember that it is not an unachievable goal and can be done flexibly from home while keeping your existing commitments. It’s easier than you realize!
What are the benefits of homeschooling a child?
Homeschooling offers personalized education tailored to your child’s learning style, avoiding classroom discipline issues, adapting to special needs, making efficient use of time, and strengthening family bonds.
What are the challenges of homeschooling a child?
Challenges include the cost of a parent not working outside the home, adapting your child to a new learning environment, lack of social interaction during study time, potential parental burnout, and limited access to specialized resources.
How do I start homeschooling my child?
Begin by researching homeschooling laws in your area, choosing a curriculum that fits your child’s needs, setting up a dedicated learning space at home, and connecting with local homeschooling groups for support and resources.
What are the pros and cons of online learning for adults?
Pros include affordability, flexibility, and the ability to maintain existing commitments. Cons include less social interaction, the need for self-discipline and motivation, and the requirement for strong time management skills.
How can UoPeoplehelp me achieve my career goals?
UoPeople offers accredited, tuition-free online degree programs in various fields. The growing online learning market indicates a promising future for online education and its recognition by employers.
At UoPeople, our blog writers are thinkers, researchers, and experts dedicated to curating articles relevant to our mission: making higher education accessible to everyone. Read More
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