10 MORE Reasons Why Homeschooling is Good For Kids

More and more parents are seeing the BENEFITS OF HOMESCHOOLING as the NUMBER OF HOMESCHOOLERS IS CONTINUING TO CLIMB. What is it about homeschooling that is SO good for kids? Here are 10 MORE reasons WHY HOMESCHOOLING IS GOOD FOR KIDS.

Time to Read.

I don’t think it can be overstated that 1.) READING ALOUD to kids and 2.) giving them lots of time to read- catapults kids towards a voracious appetite for learning.

Do you want your kids to love learning? Read to them.

Would you like them to grow into a lifestyle of learning on their own? Let. them. read.

Give them access to a plethora of quality books, whether through a home library or trips to the local library, and then provide plenty of time for them to read.

The flexibility in homeschooling makes it possible to spend large quantities of time reading.

Healthy balance of time with friends and time at home.

Rather than being locked in to a certain group of kids for certain time periods daily, homeschoolers own their schedules. Parents can influence their kids’ social lives as they observe their child’s needs.

If a parent senses that their child needs more time with friends, he or she can plan more play dates or sign up for more co-ops, classes, or events. On the other hand, if its a busy life season- maybe a move or unexpected health crisis or even the holidays, the parent can block out the schedule and have more quiet days at home.

More opportunities to help people and be involved in the community.

Do you know what it means to an elderly neighbor to have trustworthy kids nearby who offer to get your mail or help during the day if needed?

Can you imagine what it does for them just to SEE kids during the day- outside playing or walking or working?! Seeing kids out in the middle of the day is a beautiful thing!!

Because their schedule is more flexible, homeschoolers also have more chances to volunteer in community activities. These kinds of opportunities teach them sympathy and give them the satisfaction of contributing to a noble cause.

Kids can pursue friendships by choice.

We all know there are just some people you click with better than others. Homeschooled kids can be choosy about which friendships they want to invest in most. They are not lumped into one group or even one age level.

Also, parents have more freedom to discourage friendships that are unhealthy and encourage bonds that are mutually strengthening.

No bullying

No explanation needed!

Current Events

Because our kids are home, we can capitalize on current events locally and around the world.

We usually do current events in the morning with our breakfast.

Resources like World Magazine, World Watch, and The Worldview in 5 Minutes have all helped to keep us abreast of what is happening around the world.

Free Time

What happens when the school day is shortened by several hours (as it is when you are homeschooled) and kids have extra free time? They learn skills.

Homeschooled kids are free to pursue their interests and hone their skills.

They might paint or play imaginative games with siblings. Maybe they will explore outside or experiment in the kitchen with a recipe they found on Pinterest.

During their free time after lunch, my kids have…practiced soccer skills, learned to knit, sold items on ebay, written and performed skits or plays. They have searched and learned on YouTube how to do magic tricks, how to play piano songs from their favorite movies, how to repair an iphone.

This is when some of the best learning happens!

Think about it. What kinds of things do you remember most? You remember the things you were interested in and took time to search and learn on your own.

two boys at a computer taking something apart

Meaningful Conversations

Here’s another great reason why homeschooling is good for kids. Think about it. When do you have the most meaningful conversations with your kids? They are usually not scheduled.

They happen late at night or in moments when you least expect it. When parents spend large quantities of time with kids, the chances for meaningful conversations to happen increase.

Length of lessons developmentally appropriate and individualized

Many times lessons have been too easy or too difficult for our kids and I have the freedom to adjust as needed.

If a lesson is too easy, I can assign more or give an extension activity. If, on the other hand, a child has spent a good deal of time on math, has only finished two problems, and is becoming frustrated, I have the freedom to sit down, work with him on one or two more problems and call it a day.

There are times for plugging away at things, but an exasperated child will not make much progress. It’s better to walk away and try again tomorrow.

Investment in relationships that are life-long.

By far, I believe one of the best benefits of homeschooling is the childhood spent investing in relationships that you will have for the rest. of. your. life.

Your family.

It is not easy to develop close relationships with siblings when you spend the majority of your waking hours separated and with people you will only know in grade school.

It’s important to have friends. Being involved in a co-op and having your kids regularly see others in their inner circle helps them develop important social skills. BUT spending a lot of time with family is a long term investment that pays!