7 Benefits Of Homeschooling: Is It A Good Fit For Your Family?

A list of 7 benefits of homeschooling to discover if this non traditional education method could be a good fit for your family.

There’s no denying that these last few months have been an adjustment for us all. Countless changes, seemingly overnight, have had many of us stressed beyond our limit to say the least. The requirement of distance learning for our children was, understandably, a change that many American families were unprepared for.

Some parents have struggled with the added responsibility of helping to educate their children at home. If this has been your experience, please know that I feel you. I completely understand that such drastic changes can easily overwhelm anyone, let alone under the circumstances that we’re currently in. Change is rarely a walk in the park.

Surprisingly, though, I’ve also heard of numerous families who are enjoying their extra time together and are actually considering traditional homeschooling this coming school year.

*Originally published June 1, 2020.

7 Benefits of Homeschooling

I’d like to share a few of the benefits of homeschooling we’ve experienced over the last few years. It has been a genuine joy and blessing to our family!

Before we dive in to the advantages, I’d also like to point out that online distance learning (that our public and private school students have become accustomed to) is not equivalent to regular homeschooling. Online distance learning requires students to sit in front of a computer for most of the day. This is difficult for many adults to do let alone children who have extra energy and shorter attention spans.

Normal homeschooling allows you the freedom and flexibility to walk away from being confined to a seat for the school day. It permits you to learn through hands on experience as well as traditional book study, experiments, field trips, co-op classes etc.  

1. More Time Together

The extra time I’m able to spend with my children is a tremendous blessing. There have been many times that I’m working with my daughter on learning a certain concept and we rabbit trail off into a wonderful thought provoking conversation. One of the beauties of homeschooling is that our children can ask all the questions they want! Their curiosity is piqued so easily while they’re young. Don’t let it go to waste!

It is exciting to be able to teach young learners who eagerly soak up all they can. The one on one instruction you’re able to provide your child naturally results in a more efficient school day. It is standard for younger children to work around two hours a day, while older children may take around four hours to complete their school work. This adds to more free time you’re able to spend together as well.

2. A Greater Amount of Influence Over Your Child’s Education

I’d venture to guess that most parents would agree there have been times they’ve been uncomfortable with or in disagreement with something their child has learned at school. Homeschooling allows you to choose what curriculum you’d like to use and how you’d like to teach it. As long as the standard age appropriate requirements are met each year, you as the parent have a say in what is taught. (Students are tested at the end of each school year by a licensed teacher to assure they have learned the required material and can advance to the next grade).

I believe it has always been God’s desire that parents have the greatest amount of influence in the lives of their children (Proverbs 22:6, Deuteronomy 6:4-9). And what a privilege it is!

3. Establishes Healthy Social Development

I also believe that friendships with peers are healthy and needed! Contrary to popular belief homeschoolers don’t live under a rock. During the school year my daughter interacts with friends and children her own age 4-5 days a week. Part of this is due to co-ops and extracurricular activities. The last couple of years she has taken a gym class with about 15-20 other homeschool children her own age right here in our home town and absolutely loves it!

And thanks to the Tim Tebow Act (Equal Access Athletics) more than 30 states now permit homeschool children to participate in sports and extracurricular activities through their local school district.

There are many social benefits of homeschooling for our children that also allow us as parents to be a bit more in tune with what is taking place.

I’m not exactly sure where the concept of homeschoolers being socially awkward originated, but I believe that’s rarely the case. In my experience the majority of homeschool children have a more healthy confidence than their peers because they aren’t working towards the approval of others by fitting in and measuring up to the standards of those around them.

As parents and our children’s teacher we can invest time into teaching them character building traits rather than keeping them focused on dressing, looking, and acting a certain way to impress their peers.

4. Cater To Their Learning Style

Not all of us will excel in a traditional classroom setting. Some of us are visual learners while others thrive on auditory or kinesthetic learning.  My daughter is a big reader and can do pretty well with textbook learning overall. My son, on the other hand, often struggles to focus and needs lots of movement, repetition, and variety to keep him engaged. Basically, if I can relate everything to basketball in some way he seems to better grasp it!

Homeschooling allows me to cater to their individual needs without sacrificing their ability to retain what they’re taught. I don’t have to teach to the test. I can ensure they’re genuinely understanding and retaining what they learn long term.

5. Flexibility

Although I believe it’s a great idea to have a schedule each day, the flexibility of homeschooling is an added benefit. If there is a field trip or outside activity that could be beneficial then we can easily shift things around so they’re still able to complete their school work in a timely manner. I know of some families who choose to homeschool year round so they can have even more flexibility throughout the year.

There may even be times that your child gets ahead of schedule and can devote that extra time to learning more on a particular topic that interests them or even graduate a bit early so they can work full time to earn money for college.

6. Helps Prepare Them for the Independent Learning of College

I doubt that I realized it at the time, but my high school years of homeschooling definitely helped to prepare me for college. This wasn’t the case for me in every subject (ahem… Algebra), but often times older students are able to teach themselves. My mom still played a vital role in instructing me when necessary, evaluating my education, and discussing my studies, but I was given the freedom to learn independently if I chose.

Learning to study this way taught me responsibility and to take ownership of my education. Without a teacher to hold my hand every step of the way I realized that it was up to me to take initiative if I wanted to succeed. This made for an easy transition into college life.

7. Freedom to Incorporate God’s Word Into Their Education

As a Christian this was a defining factor in my choice to homeschool my children. Raising our children to be diligent workers who can think for themselves should be the goal of any parent. However, I believe that even more important than the way we educate our children is our decision to lovingly guide them to live a life that will honor their Creator.

Instead of simply teaching our preschooler the colors of the rainbow, we actually have the freedom to share with them God’s promise to us and reason for creating it. We can take the opportunity to share the gospel with our junior high student as we discuss injustices throughout the world. Or teach them apologetics alongside world history.

God and education were never meant to clash. He created us with the ability and desire to learn. The very least we can do is do it in a way that shows Him gratitude.

Related: FINDING JOY IN THE MUNDANE: 6 TIPS FOR THE WEARY MOM

11 TIPS FOR RAISING GRATEFUL CHILDREN

Is Homeschooling More Effective Than Public School?

I’d first of like to say that I’m not a super intelligent expert teacher. I am just an average mom who loves my children and wants the very best for them in every area of their life. I have a Bachelor’s degree in English, but never went on to get my Master’s in Education as I had originally planned.

In the eyes of some people I may look unqualified to teach my children at home. I’ve learned to be okay with this assumption, but I know that it is not true.

Please don’t misunderstand me here. I am not against public or private schooling and have many friends and family who opt for these education methods. In regards to the benefits of homeschooling vs public school… each and every child is unique in their ability, circumstances, and needs. Not every child will thrive in a homeschool environment.

However, I sincerely believe that there are far more families out there who would immensely benefit from this way of learning than are willing to give themselves credit for.

My desire is to simply share with you my own experience with this way of learning and how homeschooling may be beneficial to you as well. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard someone say “Oh, I could never homeschool my children!” And to the vast majority of these parents I would say “Yes, you can.” And it could bring a whole lot of joy to your family too!

Who better to teach your children than the one who knows their individual needs better and loves them more than anyone else on the planet? That would be you, friend.

What Are The Biggest Advantages of Homeschooling?

If I had to sum up the greatest advantages of homeschooling I would say:

#1. It allows you to tailor your child’s education to their specific needs and interests. My daughter (who has ADHD) has greatly benefited from the one on one instruction, multiple breaks, and deeper discussions that we rabit trail off into on topics that she’s especially interested in.

Yes, there are obviously core subjects that we all need to learn, but if you’re child is naturally drawn to a certain area of study then you can allow them to dig deeper. This will naturally foster an even greater appreciation and understanding which could even be stepping stone into their desired profession someday.

#2. It gives you more time with your children. I cannot believe how quickly these days of parenthood are flying by! Our time with our children is truly precious and we don’t get a redo. In our fast paced society it is all too easy to get swept up in obligations, extra curricular activities, and distractions.

The typical American family spends very little time together truly investing in their relationships. Homeschooling is a wonderful way to be intentional with that time together and deepen those parent/child and sibling relationships.

Are The Benefits of Homeschooling Sufficient For Your Family?

If you are uncertain as to whether or not the benefits of homeschooling are enough to make it a good fit for your family I’d encourage you to pray about it. Do your research. And then pray that God will simply give you peace one way or the other.

If you feel as if He’s already nudging you in that direction, but are terrified to follow through, please know that He will enable you to do what He’s called you to do. And for the record, the rest of us felt the same way when we first started this journey as well!

God created your children and is entrusting them into your care. He specifically chose you to raise them. Let’s do this right and raise them for His glory.