Reasons for and styles of homeschooling are as unique as each individual military family. There are several homeschooling families at Osan. Chances are you have encountered one of us, whether you realized it or not.
I would like to address some popular misconceptions about homeschooling, and share a little about why and how it might be done.
Misconceptions
1. All homeschoolers do so for religious reasons – very untrue. Religion does not always factor into the decision, nor are all homeschoolers conservative Christians. We are also Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Pagan, Agnostic, and Atheist, just to name a few possibilities.
2. Homeschoolers deprive their children of “socialization” – absolutely not. We are always on the go along with the rest of society. We run errands, meet in co-ops and support groups, go on field trips, visit the library, meet for playdates, scouts, sports, and more.
(Personally, I’m still waiting for someone to prove that children who go to public school somehow benefit socially from sitting in silence or standing quietly in line for several hours a day.)
3. Homeschool families have many children – our families come in all shapes and sizes. We happen to be an adamant only child family, while others feel the more, the merrier.
4. Children who are homeschooled are prodigies or geniuses – we wish! Homeschooled children range in abilities and talents. Also, many parents find that homeschooling children with learning disabilities or autism is more beneficial than placing them in public school. One on one attention can work wonders for all children.
Reasons for Homeschooling
I can only address our personal reasons. For me, I simply feel that the one-size fits all system of education is inadequate. The current way of doing things in a typical classroom puts boys at a disadvantage (check out The Minds of Boys by Michael Gurian if you want to learn more).
This isn’t to say that boys in public schools can not thrive; they certainly can and do!
But public school fails to take the needs of the individual child into account. They are simply incapable. Thus some parents choose to take their child’s education into their own hands.
My husband’s reason is that he is tired of schools teaching children what to think as opposed to how to think. This lack of acceptance of critical reasoning skills in public school is his main reason for wanting to homeschool our son.
Reasons can be varied and numerous, or simple. They can be religious or academic, social or practical. The reasons may be based on the child’s or family’s needs, lifestyle, morals, or ethics. If you want to know why someone homeschools, ask them. It will give you insight into their choice, but it will not be the same response for every family.
Style, Method, Approach
Perhaps you picture homeschool families sitting around a table, doing their work, or at little desks in a homemade classroom. Maybe you think we get out of bed at 5 or 6 a.m., like a family preparing for a public school day.
These scenarios are possible, but not the most likely. Homeschooling takes various forms. Some words you might see or hear are classical, Waldorf, Charlotte Mason, Montessori, or unschooling.
Some methods are academically rigorous, which others are child-led. Some focus on reading and language, while others focus on nature study.
Homeschoolers may get up early in the morning or sleep in, get to work immediately in the morning or take their time accomplishing educational tasks.
One thing many homeschoolers seem to agree on is that our “school day” is far shorter, yet richer, than that of a public school day. Within 4 hours, we can complete lessons for math, reading, writing, poetry or literature, science, history, art or music, and foreign language. This often includes nature study outdoors, rather than through books, computers or television, a visit to an historic site, and/or a trip to the library.
This sort of one-on-one academic attention leaves plenty of time in the day for a trip to the beach or playground, a picnic or time with friends, a concert or visit to the theater, and so much more.
Homeschooling is experiential more often than not, which is what tends to give our children their academic edge. They are not sitting in a classroom hearing about a subject, but often exploring the subject with all their senses.
In the end, we are doing the same things as any public school family – that which we feel is best for our child(ren).
If you're interested in learning more, ask us at osanparents@gmail.com and we can put you in touch with some Osan homeschooling families and resources.
Wendy, guest blogger
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