When you have children that are getting ready to start school, there are many decisions that you as a parent have to make regarding your child's education. One of the first decisions that a parent must make regarding school is whether to send your child to public school, private school, or to homeschool. There are many factors that can affect this decision and each option should be weighed carefully. While many parents decide to send their child to school whether it be public or private, there are also a large number of parents that choose to homeschool their child. Children who are homeschooled can grow up to be just a successful as children that have received there education out of the home.

Homeschool Advantages

• When a child is homeschooled they are often given the one-on-one attention that cannot be given in the classroom due to the number of students and one-on-one tutoring has been proven to be a very effective way of teaching

• There are quite a variety of curriculum options available for homeschooling and parents have several options for teaching

• A good portion of the time that children spend in school is not spent learning, there is waiting for recess, waiting for lunch, waiting for other kids to finish work, and waiting for the teacher to move on to another subject, all of which can be avoided with homeschooling

• It has been proven that homeschoolers consistently score higher in almost all subjects on standardized tests, and studies have shown that children whose parents are involved in their education are more likely to excel

• Homeschoolers tend to have more varied social experiences as they are not in a classroom with peers all their own age all of the time

Homeschool Disadvantages

• One of the biggest disadvantages of homeschooling is the amount of time it requires, you have to prepare lesson plans, plan field trips, and make sure you child has time to socialize, which doesn't leave much time for yourself

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  Homeschooling: Is It Right For You?

  
  

  It can be very difficult to homeschool and work, often times the homeschooling parent stays home to make sure their child gets the best education possible and this is not always financially feasible

• While public school is free, homeschooling can be costly, as parents are responsible for purchasing the needed curriculum which can cost upwards of four hundred dollars a year, and that doesn't include field trips, materials for projects, as well as many other needed resources

• When children are homeschooled it can be hard for them to develop social skills so it is essential for homeschooling parents to make every effort to socialize their children

• Children that are homeschooled may feel that they are missing out, and eventually want to attend school like many other children do

Deciding whether or not to homeschool your child is a very big decision and one that should not be taken lightly. There are many factors to consider when deciding on your child's education. If you decide that homeschooling is best for you and your child there are many resources available to make sure your child has the best education possible and goes on to be successful in life.

The following resources may help aid you in your decision to homeschool

• Homeschool Resources – some great articles on various topics regarding homeschooling your child, also includes some good curriculum resources

• Homeschool Magazine – the website of Practical Homeschooling Magazine with great information on homeschooling including articles, events, organizations, and a catalog

• Reasons for Homeschooling – an article that discusses parents reasoning for deciding to homeschool their children

• New Homeschoolers – an article that features some really helpful advice for kids and parents that are new to homeschooling

• Montessori Homeschool – information on a style of homeschooling known as Montessori homeschooling and is based on the observation of children to discover their needs as opposed to a planned curriculum

• Homeschool Pros and Cons – a list of some of the possible pros and cons of homeschooling your child

• Should You Homeschool? - some great information on deciding whether or not to homeschool your child, includes pros and cons, information on curriculum, finances, scheduling, community activities, and much more