Homeschooling or home schooling, called simply home schooling or elective schooling, is the schooling of school-age children in a private, domestic setting or any number of locations other than the school. Homeschooling is done with the parents' permission and knowledge, and there are mixed results in regard to the success of home schooling. Some parents who do home schooling successfully, find it very rewarding. The methods and techniques of home schooling vary widely, as shown on this website. In general, however, most parents teach students in some form of a Montessori-style curriculum, utilizing fixed techniques and strategies that they have chosen for themselves based on individual assessment of how these techniques can be taught with the child's learning style.
Home schooling in the United States has experienced a boom of growth since the early part of the 20th century. During that time period, there was an increasing interest by parents in homeschooling their children. Many parents who were outright opposed to the public schooling system, believed that it was in the interest of the schools to limit choices of curriculum for the public to follow.
At that point, many families in the United States were electing to home school their children out of fear of what the educational standards for public schools were becoming. Concerns over the dangers to society in general, and the danger to schools in particular, led more families to home school their children. Concerns over clean water, unsafe food, safe fuel and other aspects of public health led more families to home school as well.
As the 20th century wore on, more parents began to realize that they could benefit from a home schooled child. There were social benefits to having children who studied independently. The ability for them to interact with peers and develop meaningful relationships was fostered by homeschooling. Students enrolled in public schools were typically placed in the same class group with little opportunity for socialization outside of the classroom. This type of learning environment was not conducive to learning and growth.
By the early part of the 21st Century, the need for more public schooling was beginning to ebb, as more parents had decided that it was time for the educational standards to increase. Concerns over clean water, safe fuel and food safety led more parents to home school their children. Increasing parent involvement in the education of their children, spurred by the need to provide a better quality of life for their children, led to the public school system accepting this change in education.
Homeschooling has definitely come a long way from the days of "Moms and Dads just keep going." The Internet offers a wealth of information on how to introduce home learning your children, or if you already have done so. There are even web sites that allow you to find local support groups in your area, that can help you get through the initial challenges. It is interesting to see how much more we really have to learn about the home schooled child, what is really required, and how much more parents are willing to take the time and money to educate their kids.
Education is a never ending process, so continue reading here:https://www.britannica.com/topic/homeschooling.
