Homeschooling Q&A

My previous post I made on #homeschooling on my Instagram account got so much positive attention and so many questions- so here are some most common fears/ questions/ concerns when it comes to homeschooling that holds people back of making that leap. 

I will share my experiences, beliefs and opinions that may help you in your journey of picking the right way to raise your kids. The right way is what is right for you and your family. 

Before I answer common questions here are two questions that one need to find the answers within and come in peace with:

Are schooling and education the same?

Who decides whats best for the child- state or a parent?  

Additionally, some countries don’t even have an option of homeschooling like Serbia my home country and in United States different states have different policies on homeschooling. 

Luckily in Alabama where personal freedoms are somewhat still respected, parent is their own private school. You don’t have to/ need to report to anything or anybody. Pretty simple. If you need a degree you can make your own transcript and diploma: Ex. Violet Taylor graduated from Common Sense High School/University.

So here we go: 

Is the parent qualified teacher?  

Well, are you qualified and who decides what qualified is? Most of qualifications are not a degree rather than the confidence and eagerness. Are you willing to answer all kinds of questions and be hands on? Because the learning doesn’t happen because somebody is qualified to teach, but rather that somebody is willing to be present, take time and learn with child through doing and experiencing life one day at the time. Siblings tend to teach each other and I find older sibling the most qualified teacher. 

What curriculum do you use? 

Whatever style fits your family and child. We do more unschool approach, where we do things that interest our kids. Reading is the main part of education as they can explore world of wonders through the materials they desire. However if you like more classroom style there is tons of online resources, programs, worksheets.

Example 1: you can learn fractions from the book and paper and test on it. Or you can make recipes with your child and you will use measurements, fractions, chemical reactions. quanitities etc. 

Example 2: you can learn fungus from biology book or you can go to the woods different time of the year, pick and identify species and their uses.

Example 3: you can learn about life cycle through charts or just plant your own seeds and watch.

Example 4: you can learn from the book about soil or you can take compost out everyday and observe your soil under microcope and all organisms that work in symbiosis. 

Are the kids socialized? 

First, I think socialization comes from home interaction as well as personality of a child. Its most common misconception that kids get socialized in school- on contrary these days they can do anything but socialize. Time at their own desks, computers in masks with “social distance’ is not exactly socialization. Additionally social interaction in school seems to be having to be a great stressor/ anxiety inducer for most kids. Most of the homeschool kids have their communicates, fields trips, play dates and extra curricular-sports and church groups. 

What about the grades/ exams?

Life will send you an exam every day. The grade is not the value of a person or their knowledge. I may be exceptional and interested in one area but disintesrested in other.  Thats why learning by interest seems like less stressful and wiser use of a time. I was always a great student and made a great grades-but guess what- I can’t remember one thing I was graded on other than how stressed I was about making a good grade. Most things that left trace on me in my formal education where meaningful discussion’s, engaging/ inspired teacher and hands on learning through doing.

Can they go to University? Yes, homeschool child can go to university if they desire to and have ambitions to pursue careers that require schooling and diplomas/ social certificates. Although personally I don’t get what going away from public school system before age of 18 is good for to only jump right back in.  So so so many careers can be established without university degree. One can also start career and then supplement with degree if that’s needed. Funny thing is most people get their degrees, get into thousands of dollars of debt only to please others and never use it. 

Can they have successful careers? Yes, actually homeschooled kids tend to develop skill set outside of the system and they do think and act differently. 

Is my child going to be different?

Compare to what? And yes they will but that’s the goal right. 

Once again, I hope this blog makes you think and think for yourself. I work with tons of homeschool kids through my volleyball academy and they are always first to volunteer to help, are kind to others and their maturity is beyond their age. They also tend to do better with time management, entrepreneurial ideas and majority work by the age of 15. None of them regrets being homeschooled.