Homeschooling 101

Homeschooling (sometimes called home education or home learning) is an alternative education of children at home, typically by parents but sometimes by tutors, rather than in the formal setting of a public or private school. Many parents who home school cite numerous reasons as motivations for this method of learning, including better test scores. It can also be an alternative for families living in isolated rural locations or living temporarily abroad.

This form of education is becoming more popular every day with millions of children across the country and the world currently learning at home. Home schooled kids are said to do well on standardized tests and go off to college just like their classroom peers. If you are a parent who is considering homeschooling, here is a list of pros and cons to consider:

The Pros:

- No Peer Pressure - if you have kids that get bullied or teased for instance, they won't have those distractions at home and will be able to focus on learning.

- Well-Rested Kids - your child doesn't need to be up at the crack of dawn to catch a bus, so you can work on an individual schedule.

- Less Busy work - homeschooled children can learn at their own pace.

- Hands on Learning - trips to the park, the museum or the zoo can be a great time to spend an afternoon educating your child and a bonding experience for you both.

The Cons:

- Time Restraints - learning outside of a school environment can consume a lot of a parent's time and energy.

- Financial Burdens - one parent is now staying home, forgoing an extra paycheck.

- Being with Your Kids 24/7- for some it can be overwhelming.

- Making Friends - it's important for your child to spend time with other children so make sure to schedule group activities such as dance lessons or little league.

Whether to home school or not, parents all want the best for their children and for them to do well in school. There are many online resources to aid parents in their child's education including study aids, online tests, virtual classes>, and online tutors. Online learning allows students access to specialized teachers and materials and greater flexibility in scheduling. Parents can be with their children during online tutoring sessions or check in their work when they are finished.

-Lara Cohn, Examville Blog Contributor