Why you don't have to be a teacher to homeschool
Homeschooling can be a great option for kids who find the pace of learning in the classroom to be either too fast or too slow. It’s also a good alternative to mainstream education for youngsters who suffer as a result of bullying.
Whatever their reasons, a rising number of mums and dads are turning to homeschooling. Highlighting this fact, education specialists Oxford Home Schooling note that approximately 150,000 children are currently being educated at home in the UK, and this figure is expected to increase by three per cent a year. You don’t have to be a teacher to home educate either, and here’s why.
You’re well within your rights
Many mums and dads are deterred from taking this path because they’re worried that they’ll be breaking the rules. In fact, it’s perfectly legal to educate your child at home, and you don’t have to be a qualified teacher to do so. As long as you provide a full-time education for your little ones from the age of five, you’re well within your rights to school your kids at home. You don’t even have to follow the national curriculum.
There’s lots of help on offer
It’s true that embarking on this journey with your children can be a daunting prospect if you don’t have any teacher training. However, bear in mind that there’s plenty of help on offer. By far the simplest option is to follow the distance learning courses offered by home education specialists. This way, you’ll receive all the study packs and materials you need, and you’ll benefit from the guidance of personal tutors and advisers. These service providers can even help you to choose the best courses for your kids.
Because these resources are so readily available, you don’t have to an expert in the subjects your children are studying. You can simply work through the material provided along with your youngsters.
You’re able to give your undivided attention
Although you might lack the training and experience of a professional teacher, you do have a crucial advantage over these experts. Instead of having to split your focus between up to 30 children, you can give your kids your undivided attention. This is really important. After all, in classes pupils are at risk of falling behind their peers, or of getting bored because they find their work isn’t challenging enough. When you’re teaching your children, you’ll be able to see exactly where they excel and where they struggle, and you can tailor your lessons accordingly.
You understand your child’s needs
You also know your youngsters much better than a teacher ever could, and this means you should be able to create a more tailored learning experience. You can help ensure that any special abilities are nurtured from a young age, and you can address any weaknesses by spending extra time on certain subjects.
Hopefully, after considering these points, you’ll see that qualifications aren’t all that counts when it comes to teaching your kids. Of course, homeschooling isn’t right for all children, but if you think your youngsters could benefit from learning outside of mainstream education, you should have the confidence to try alternatives.
1 Comments
LyndseyJ
May 14, 2015 at 11:48 am
It is great to know your facts. We are only just thinking about starting our family but this is something I would think about lots.
xxx
Lyndsey
http://www.labeau.co.uk