What are the benefits of homeschooling? You probably have a few in mind, but until you experience the ups and downs of life and homeschooling your list will be incomplete. I love to make lists, so I’m keeping a list of homeschool benefits. **This is just a beginning list. I’m trying to keep track of the moments when I think, “I’m sure thankful to homeschooling today.” Use these lists as encouragement and start your own list of blessings. If you’re thinking about homeschooling, start here.
We can learn about anything, anywhere and anytime. Here are some learning opportunities from this morning’s trip into town.
We recently discovered delight led learning. While my girls loved learning about Monarch Butterflies, I think I learned even more than they did. Go ahead and sneak a peak at our Monarch Project.
When you start talking about homeschooling, someone will ask you about socialization. Don’t you think your kids need to be with other kids? No worries here! We get plenty of opportunities to socialize (Church, homeschool group, library, family, friends, park days).
If socialization is your main worry, I will quote my third-grade teacher (whom I consider an expert), “Stop! We are not here to socialize. We are here to learn.”
Did you notice that many of the homeschooling benefits on my list aren’t specific to homeschooling. Many are parenting and family moments.
I wish that I’d had these moments with my family when I was a kid. Our school bus picked us up early in the morning and brought us home late in the afternoon. Most evenings we rushed through homework, chores and supper. Then we went to bed and repeated the routine. We didn’t have time together as a family unless it was the weekend. Even then our weekends were full and on the go.
Homeschooling has a different feel to it. We set our schedule. We choose what is important to our family. We are learning all day long, but my children don’t even realize it. For them, school is the stuff we do out of books. For me, it is what we do all day long (and yes it can be exhausting, but exciting at the same time). Questions and teachable moments abound, if you are looking for them.
What blessings and benefits have you experienced from homeschooling?