The idea of home schooling is fast catching up in the US with over one million kids undergoing home schooling across the country in 2005. This trend is independent of any religious motivation, unlike in the past when conservative Christians wanted their kids to study at home as they distrusted public school methodology and moralities. This was revealed in a survey conducted by the National Center for Education Statistics.
The survey is an indication of increasing disillusionment with the public school system in the US. Recent surveys also highlight this trend. Irrespective of their religions outlook or regional prejudice, more and more parents are unhappy with the perceived negative environment at the public schools such as the reported incidents of drugs, negative peer pressure, violence and other abuses.
These parents also consider the learning at public schools as mechanical and unproductive. On the contrary, they think home schooling is the best way to provide lasting and productive education, as well as social skills. Besides, the kids get all these benefits through a method that strengthens family ties. Kids at public schools are often bullied by their peers, and they feel nervous and frightened. There is also a danger of them imitating some of their classmates and become violent themselves.
Home schooling kids are under the protection of their parents, and therefore, are free from the negative influences of the public schools. Parents can guide them and take care of them until they reach an age when they are mature enough to face the outside world. Parents can rest easy because the kids are always under their direct control. Even the moral and religious teachings could be taken care of by the parents. The kids are also happy because they know that their parents are near at hand, and they can depend on the parents for help around the clock.
Home schooling involves all the family members, and all the activities done together at home become a learning experience. Parents know their kids very well much more than any one else, and this help them to make changes in the curriculum schedule to suit their kids. All the indoor and outdoor activities done with the help of each other develop strong emotional ties among the family members.
It also goes without saying that one of the parents has to stay back home to look after the kids. Hence, the earning power of the family is greatly reduced, but every body can chip in to curtail expenditure and find ways to save money so that the family can pull on smoothly. This sort of involvement helps to develop responsibility and co-operation among the family members.
Posted on April 27th, 2008 by admin
Filed under: Child Care, Learning, Toddler, school
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