Advantages and Disadvantages of Home Education

Whilst my husband isn’t too keen on the idea of home education, I thought I would do some research to find out more about it.

 

Here are some of my previous home educating posts if you fancy a read:

Is home education the way forward?
My questions answered featuring Katie
Home Education: Featuring Prudence

Advantages of learning in a school environment

• Parents have more time to focus on their careers/things they need to do 
• School teachers perform all tasks from teaching lessons, making timetables, sorting out resources and organising trips and visits etc 
• It’s cheaper than home education because schools will provide most learning resources such as books and computers 
• Allows both parents to bring in an income 
• Opportunities to meet adults and other children of the same age form a part of every day life and can make life less fraught 
• Schools offer qualified teachers with experience of various teaching methods 

Advantages of home educating

• Child centered learning and you can learn with your child at their own pace
• There is no competitive aspect 
• Socialisation will be more structured and organised as your children will meet other other people who share the same interests and hobbies rather than merely meeting children of the same age
• Children will be able to take part in extra-curricular activities 
• More flexibility of education, which takes into account a child’s level of learning that day 
• You can fit in once in a lifetime opportunities as and when they occur, such as an exhibition coming to town 
• Home education can happen anywhere and can take place in exciting locations such science museums, parks, farms and zoos 
• More family time 

Disadvantages of home educating

• Sacrifice time – no ‘me’ time 
• Can takes time, motivation and a lot of organising to arrange lessons, timetables, preparing visits, resources, field trips and ensuring your child has time to socialise 
• Can be expensive (buying resources) 
• Qualifications – Deciding whether or not your child will take exams 

Tips to help you get started

• Find local support groups and families near you who home educate 
• Find out about what you will teach (curriculum) 
• Find out how you will teach. What method/structure will you use?
  Will you use a timetable? 
• Talk to your local education officer 

Are you thinking about home educating your child or do you home educate your child? What do you think are the advantages and disadvantages?