1. …Allow children time to learn subjects not usually taught in their school.
2. …Allow children to have time for more in-depth study than what is allowed in school.
3. …Allow children to learn at their own pace, not too slow or too fast. (You don;t have to be concerned about teaching to the average)
4. …Allow children to work at a level that is appropriate to their own developmental stage. Skills and concepts can be introduced at the right time for that child.
5. …Not have to deal with bullying or racially motivated incidents that can hinder the learning process.
(-this is one of the top reasons why many blacks have pulled their kids out of school. I personally know kids who have begged their parents to homeschool them because of bullying. Many of these kids want to stand up for themselves, but they are in schools that have zero tolerance for violence policies. They are in schools where SELF-DEFENSE is frowned upon!) Others are tired of fighting the racial prejudices and inequities. We all know racism is a problem our kids will have to deal with sooner or later, but we have to ask ourselves at what point do we continue to allow this to interfere with getting the critical skills they need RIGHT NOW!
6. …Encourage concentration and focus - which are discouraged in crowded classrooms with too many distractions.
(One of my closest friends took her child out of a school that was one of the "top" academic schools in our communities after her husband visited the school. After sitting in his child's classes for a day he realized how much she WASN'T learning.)
7. …Spend a lot of time out-of-doors. This is healthier than spending most weekdays indoors in a crowded, and often overheated, classroom. (The average person, not to mention child, only spends 30 minutes or less outdoors everyday. WAY less then children of a generation ago. Homeschool kids spend 3 times or more than that outdoors. On warm sunny days, many parents hold class outdoors.)
8. …Time is available for more nonacademic pursuits such as art or music. This leads to a richer, happier life. (Music and fine arts are part of the academic curriculum, not side events.)
9. …College Prep-Children will not feel like passive recipients of subject matter selected by their teachers. They will learn to design their own education and take responsibility for it. (Isn’t this what college students are expected to do.)
10. …Learning can be more efficient since methods can be used that suit a child's particular learning style. (This is one of the best parts. You can tailor each subject to all your kids individual learning styles.)
I realize this is not an option for many households, but it's something to consider. Don;t think because you are a single parent you cannot homeschool. There are single parents who can and do teach their own children. Those who can afford it may hire tutors, those who cannot will often have a grandparent keep kids during the day and they home educate them in the evening. Let's face it, many of you are already spending up to four hours a night helping kids with homework! In that same time frame you could be teaching them, with grandparents taking them to art and music classes during the day. If they are older they could also take courses through online charter schools. (Be advised, many do not consider this true homeschooling since depending on where you live you will still be bound by state mandates.) But it is an option for those who are afraid to tackle it on their own.
If you are considering homeschooling there are a lot of resources. Do a web search of local groups to see if there are any groups in your area. Get to know people who are already doing it. Email friends and family to see if they know any homeschool families you can connect with to get more information.
It was scary at first, but we have never looked back. Yes, it is a financial struggle for most families, but I have not met one family yet who has regretted their decision to homeschool.
Posted By: Lena Arnold
Thursday, January 26th 2012 at 10:53PM
(SMILE)...because all of the above are winners...
Friday, January 27th 2012 at 3:26AM
Irma Robinson
...But, you know me Lean, I always have to add something. LOL...
If my grand children were home schooled, I would save a mint on sending them boxes of clothes.Their parentswould save a mint on public bus fare/ gas for the oldest 's car. (female teens). (smile)
Friday, January 27th 2012 at 3:33AM
Irma Robinson
4. …Allow children to work at a level that is appropriate to their own developmental stage. Skills and concepts can be introduced at the right time for that child.
5. …Not have to deal with bullying or racially motivated incidents ...
Precisely and I think these two points are indeed wonderful advantages to Homeschooling. It's funny though that when I used to frequent the BabyCommunityBlog, I was indeed taken a back by the rift between working mothers and stay at home mothers who homeschool their kids. Life is much too, short and against women for us to now go at each other about what's the best.
For me, although my child isn't homeschooled I believe the homeschool environment was ideal for him. When I changed my hours at work I saw my child flourish when he was around 1 1/2 years to 2 years old learning at home than when I used to have him in public care facilites while working fulltime. Even now... he seems to prefer being home learning with me although he likes going to school.
I supplement what he's learning at school with extra activities and workbooks. I know that each one of us must decide what is best and what we can actually do financially, but homeschooling is a great alternative to traditional classroom settings. Think of all the overcrowded schools, concentration on scores rather than learning, bullies, school closings, etc, ... it goes on and on. ... Homeschooling is something that we should think about more as a solution.
You are both so right. Now matter what you choose, life is way too short for women to be arguing against each other. The central point of the woman's movement wasn't for us to "Be like men" it was for us to have the opportunity to make OUR OWN choices for our lives. Whether it's to choose to work, stay at home, home school, or send our children to public/private schools. Thank God for all the options we have today! God bless you both and you are both WINNERS in my book!
Saturday, January 28th 2012 at 8:00PM
Lena Arnold
Sister Lena,
You should have been on that blog I mentioned to speak some sense into the mind's of the women there. Anyway, right you are in that we should be thankful as women that we have so much more options.
I absolutely agree! Wonderful ! Here is another tool that home schoolers and parents may find extremely helpful. Tutorial and college entrance portfolio "School Readiness for Parents & Children, K-12"
Why it is that you all do not have confidence in public schooling when White children thrive in public schooling?
As a matter of fact just a couple of years ago this White student graduated valedictorian of a prominent Black College, Morehouse College.
It seems that Whites can thrive in their setting and out do Black Americans in a Black American setting. I am here to help us and we will improve as a people in my lifetime.
Anyway, this situation tells me that it is not the public schooling or the Morehouse College curriculum as much as it is Black Americans are mentally dysfunctional.
I am the only Black American out of 41 million that is divinely wiser than any Black Americans and smarter than any White American.
So, why it is that you Negroes cannot thrive in public school?
Please, please don't get upset and fall apart by the things I say, okay. All what I want you all to do is to honestly and in good faith respond to my questions and comments intelligently and if I am wrong then show me, but if I am right tell me I am right as well and you all should make a change towards me. Am I making any sense?
@Harry
Why is it that you miss the point of this blog? This blog is about homeschooling as an option and White use homeschooling at a higher percentage so that statement you made is null and void.
You are wrong, but as usual you just want a response so that you can go back to your talking points about the usual "platform".
thanks for those resources Wanda. I will check them out. Jen you are right. People have a variety of reasons why they elect to homeschool, and the reasons are as diverse as the people who homeschool.
Monday, January 30th 2012 at 12:11AM
Lena Arnold
Ms Arnold,
Thank you, considering this myself: great topic and food for thought.
Tuesday, March 13th 2012 at 12:39AM
Michael Daniel
If you decide to homeschool, I would be more than happy to share my experiences with you, as well as help you connect with some people in your area. It has it's challenges, but overall it is worth it and we have never looked back.
Tuesday, March 13th 2012 at 1:03PM
Lena Arnold
Thank you,
Iam all for the challenges and I believe my lil princess is well worth it. She's 2.5 right now, so I do have a little time make a decision. Thanks for the info and I can always use that information. The school system is not only broken - its broke down! I will be attending a meeting with the Department of Education here next Monday, in reference to some racial discrimnation issue with DPS. So home schooling has taken the lead in my determining factors.
Thanks again.
Wednesday, March 14th 2012 at 11:59AM
Michael Daniel
