Is home schooling an ideal option for your learner?

The debate about home-schooling is an endless one. However, a whole new dimension was added to this debate after the pandemic hit and kids had no option but to attend online classes from home. While home schooling means protection against COVID-19 and ensures a lot of benefits including flexibility of learning among others, there are quite a few concerns too.  

Here, we shed light on both sides of the coin.  

Pros of home schooling 
From flexibility to customised learning, there are many advantages of home schooling.  

Flexibility: Home-schooling gives the opportunity to parents and kids to discuss and come up with a personalised schedule. This can be especially beneficial for kids who have a heavy participation in extra-curricular activities and sports. So, the next time your child has an online guitar class, he does not have to miss out on a science lesson. 

Personalised learning: Learning in a classroom environment can have a cookie-cutter or a one size fits all approach. Some kids are exceptional at some things while they may need more time to understand others. Home-schooling can ensure a more personalised learning experience for your child so that she can decide what to focus on more. 

Reduced exposure to COVID-19: This is easily one of the most important boons of home-schooling. With the virus still around and new variants emerging, parents have anxiety of letting their kids into a crowded space like school. Home-schooling ensures the health and safety of kids while reducing the risk of them contracting the virus. 

Cons of home-schooling 
While the advantages of this format are undeniable, the concerns cannot be overlooked as well.  

Lack of socialisation: The purpose of school is not merely education- it is also the development of different life skills. Home-schooling can prove to be a barrier for your kid’s social life. Communicating, making friends, learning to co-exist with others- all of these are uniquely learnt in a classroom.  

Difficulty in concentration and focus: Being at home in an easy, familiar environment can lead to kids not taking studies seriously. This can lead to a nonchalant, dismissive attitude. A little bit of pressure can prove to be healthy and challenging.  

Extra work for parents: Being a parent is already challenging in itself. With managing domestic work, your job, etc., now you would have to take on the role of a tutor/ teacher. While it can be a great way to further bond with your kid, there is no doubt that it will add to your workload. Planning lessons, sitting through them with your kid and being present to answer questions takes a lot of time and effort.