If you’re a parent of young children and have been thinking about switching to homeschooling, you should know you’re not alone. Homeschooling is a growing trend in the US, with more parents choosing to take their child’s education into their own hands and out of public schools.
There are a lot of advantages to homeschooling — it offers parents a chance to tailor their child’s learning to their individual needs and spend a lot of quality time with them. But it also involves some serious challenges, and shouldn’t be approached casually. Being your child’s educator is a big responsibility on top of the already major responsibilities of being a parent.
So is homeschooling right for you? We’ll take a look at some of the pros and cons, and I’ll give you some resources to help you get started with homeschooling in Missoula.
Pros of Homeschooling
First, let’s talk about the potential perks of homeschooling:
A personalized learning experience. Traditional schooling has a lot of strengths, but with teachers underpaid and schools underfunded, tailored one-on-one learning isn’t likely to be one of them. A “one-size-fits-all” approach to learning will invariably leave some children feeling bored, unchallenged, or left out. Homeschooling allows you to tailor the curriculum to your child’s pace and interests.
Freedom and flexibility. When you choose homeschooling, you can set your own schedule, take breaks whenever needed, and enjoy much more latitude in terms of travel or holidays. Traveling can also be a great way of incorporating real-world experience into your lessons.
Closer relationships. Homeschooling means you’ll be spending a lot of time together, and that’s a good thing — you’ll be more deeply involved in your child’s education, and if you’re homeschooling siblings, they may develop stronger connections from learning together.
Challenges of Homeschooling
It’s important to remember that homeschooling is not for everyone. It presents a number of challenges that you should weigh carefully before deciding to take the plunge.
It takes time. Homeschooling is a significant time commitment, requiring not only time for teaching and grading, but also research and planning. Parents who work full-time or have other responsibilities might find it extremely challenging to meet the demands of homeschooling.
It takes money. Homeschooling requires out-of-pocket expenses, including those that might normally be met by public school. Curriculum materials, textbooks, and other resources all cost money, to say nothing of extracurricular activities. If you’re leaving your job to pursue homeschooling, that may have a major impact as well.
Children need socialization. The fact of the matter is, homeschooled kids do not, by default, have the same amount of daily interaction with public-school kids. That’s why it’s crucial to make time for socialization and seek out opportunities for their children to develop social skills. Neglecting this part of your child’s education could lead to them facing major challenges down the line. Fortunately these days there are so many after-school programs and homeschooling group options that this fear is largely negated!
Legal and regulatory challenges. When it comes to laws and regulations, not all states are created equal. Parents should be aware of the laws and requirements in their area. You may have to submit a notice of intent to homeschool, and may be required to keep detailed records and participate in standardized testing. This can be a little scary at first, but it’s preferable to running into legal issues later on.
Homeschooling Resources for Missoula Parents
Here are some online resources to help get you started with homeschooling in Missoula:
The Montana Coalition of Home Educators provides tons of information on homeschooling laws, as well as resources and support groups. This can be a great place to start.
The Missoula Homeschool Network offers support and resources for Missoula families educating their children at home. They organize social events, field trips, and even co-op classes, making it easier for your kids to have some socialization time.
One of the best resources for homeschooling families is the Missoula Public Library, which (obviously) offers access to books, educational materials, and more. They may also host events or workshops that could go along with your homeschooling curriculum.
You may also look into online homeschooling programs such as K12, Time4Learning, and Khan Academy, as well as The Well-Trained Mind, a website for parents who want to take a classical education approach to homeschooling.
Home Science Tools offers resources for parents who want to include hands-on science experiments into their home curriculum.
Finally, the Homeschool Legal Defense Association provides legal support and resources. This is a great place to learn about state homeschooling laws.
