Homeschooling Spinoff

Do you feel like homeschooling is becoming more popular on Long Island? I just found out that our new neighbors will be homeschooling their children and a family member is also considering it. I feel like my children are afforded so many opportunities at school and I would be doing such a disservice to them keeping them home.

Thoughts?

Homeschooling Spinoff

Perhaps the mandated vaccines are/will cause a rise in home schooling. I am against it, as an educator I feel kids learn just as much by interacting w peers, teachers, faculty as they do subject matter. In my opinion home schooling is isolating for children and will not benefit them socially. I am sure there are parents who make it work by having their children in after school activities and such but I would not home school.

Message edited 10/24/2019 1:16:39 PM.

Re: Homeschooling Spinoff

I have mixed feelings on this. I do think the social aspect of school is so important, but if it's a kid that is getting picked on/bullied, I would totally be for it.
Someone I know was considering it, because her son was getting picked on by the teacher - but decided to wait it out and after speaking with the principal - it has gotten better.

Re: Homeschooling Spinoff

I think the rise in this has to do with a few things. One being that there will no longer be a religious exemption to vaccines. Others I know homeschool because they feel like they can't find a school to meet their child's needs (so many special education parents I've heard of doing this). Or because of bullying and school not taking any action to stop it.

Re: Homeschooling Spinoff

I know several people that home school, all of which are dippy hippie types. Now with the new mandates, several other anti-vaxers I know are home schooling.

The ones that were doing it before the mandates, who I call the OG homeschoolers LOL, they all have found "communities" if you will of other home schooling parents and they do science, art, reading, music, etc. together in various meeting spots. Their kids definitely get the social component through that. However, it's a LOT of freaking work! I should also mention they are all SAHM.

These new ones that are homeschooling because of vaccinations are probably in for a rude awakening. I think the school district mandates 5 hours a day (but I think the guidelines are pretty loose). That isn't counting "specials" and socializing. I actually know someone who left her husband and moved to another state so that her kids can go to school and she doesn't have to vaccinate. It's a little extreme.

Homeschooling Spinoff

I've strongly considered it for my kids, despite the fact that my daughter is currently enrolled in public kindergarten.

While I know for a fact there has been a *small* rise this year because of vaccines, I don't see it staying that way for the long term. Homeschooling is a LOT of work.

As far as socialization, in the 2 months my daughter's been in school I haven't been terribly impressed with the "socialization" she's received. She emulates behaviors I don't care for at times. Also, I find this argument interesting. When learning, we wouldn't expect 5 year olds to learn good math skills from another 5 year old, yet we expect them to learn good social skills from other kids their age? I'd much rather model appropriate social behavior with those who know how to act socially. Also, at school they aren't actually socializing as much as people seem to think-a lot of the environment is heavily structured.

Other issues I have with public schools:

I don't think they get near enough time outdoors, nor do I think they have enough time to play. Both of these are crucial to the development of critical thinking skills and creativity, both of which are the best indicators of the ability of individuals to learn in the long term.

I think the expectations of the earlier grades are completely developmentally inappropriate in the context in which they are taught.

I think the focus on learning is not well-rounded enough as a whole. It's not the teacher's fault, because there are too many curriculum boundaries, but there's no breadth to the education they receive as a whole.

Homeschoolers are often typically involved in other types of activities though-co-ops for subjects, classes for specials, etc. They also have a lot more freedom to do what I view to be more authentic learning-visiting places to learn about the instead of reading a textbook, catering learning to individual style, etc.

And although it hasn't been mentioned, many colleges are actually impressed with the background of homeschoolers, and there are routes to obtain a traditional diploma even if homeschooled.

The only thing holding me back, quite honestly, is that I have three small children, and I don't think I could appropriately give them the attention they deserve for learning at this moment in time. However, I do supplement their education at home with homeschool curriculums rather than traditional "workbooks." My daughter has yet to learn anything in kindergarten she didn't already do at home.

Re: Homeschooling Spinoff

Re: Homeschooling Spinoff

Homeschooling Spinoff

I wanted to homeschool my son. I just don't agree with a lot of the BS that goes on in the public school system. However, my son is ASD and needs a high level of support and structure. In order to get a lot of the help he needs, he is in the public school system.

But there are a lot of opportunities for homeschooling parents on LI. Much more than I ever imagined.

Re: Homeschooling Spinoff

I don't home school my kids, but can understand why families would make the decision to do so. While outsiders may see them as doing a disservice to their kids, they obviously see sending their kids to a public or private school as doing a disservice to them. It's none of my business, and I give them allot of credit. I'm too lazy and would end up letting my kids play all day

Message edited 10/24/2019 3:23:23 PM.