Homeschool vs. Mainstream education

Some years ago, my husband and I homeschooled our first two children. As I mentioned earlier, it was a very enriching and rewarding experience. Four years ago, however, some circumstance had changed so that we could no longer homeschooling but sending them to mainstream school.

Having been often asked how my children copy in mainstream school after homeschooling, I think it might be helpful to share some of my two cents worth.

Many of my friends decide to homeschool their kids for two main reasons:

1. The child is either too advance or too slow;
2. The parents own preference, might be out of building closer bonding, or religious reasoning. etc.

Homeschooling needs parenting 120% commitment.

When I was homeschooling my two kids, at that time, we had just three out of five our children. The age difference of the first two is about two years, and my second child is an advance learner. So I was able to teach them at the same phase. Fortunately, my third child was an easy baby, he was content to play by him own while I was teaching the other two. But when number four came, things became more difficult. The fourth baby was a demanding one, by then, my third child had strong desire in learning, while my two older kids had progressed into more challenging area of curriculum. I found myself hard to copy with different level and different needs.

With other circumstance concerns in mind, we decided to send them back to school.

The coping to new learning environment was not an issue for my children. In fact, both of them adapted very well. My son is thrilled by school sports, while my daughter finds the competitive learning atmosphere further motivated and strengthened her.

Concerns about BAD influence.

Honestly speaking, that was main reason when we considered homeschooling. We were worry the worldly influence would robs our children away from the love of GOD. Till today, after our children having been in school for almost four years, I do not deny there are certain BAD influences in school,but the point is, where else do not have?

The evil does not have boundary. Sadly I daresay I have seen the worse evils in church than anywhere else. So to some extends, our parents can only "protect"our kids that much. Wherever they are, we need GOD to be the Guardian, ultimately, they are the gifts from God.

Comparing Homeschooling vs Mainstream schooling.

Homeschooling provides a relax learning atmosphere, which is double edged sword. My eldest boy has tendency to do his exam SLOWLY. When he does his exams in school, he finds he has not enough time to finish paper. Many of his learning habits are not so well developed.

On the other hand, school has offered kids with many opportunities in other areas of interests like sports, community work, IT and leadership etc.

Both my children were chosen to represent school sport team, which is certain an eye opening for us. They enjoy the sport training, and interacting with team players and friends. In that sense, I would never be able to provide such an experience had we continued homeschooling.

While homeschooling, my daughter, who is very competitive in nature, always set target to compete with her older brother. That sometimes could be very unpleasant to my son. After going to school, though she proves herself to be one of best students in her level,she is mindful that there are always someone better than her. It gives us opportunity us to teach her to be grateful and gracious, and the same time, to strive for the best.


So much about PSLE

PSLE,a placement test, is a very important milestone for every student, bases on which, students are given different choices to secondary schools. No one doubt that secondary school's culture and learning environment are far more important than of primary school. Therefore, PSLE is crucial no matter homeschool or mainstream. In that area, homeschooler have disadvantage than students from mainstream. No only the methodology differs,but also the answer requirements are various.

At Secondary posting, homeschooling kids are also placed at the bottom based on lacking of CCA and other school based activities exposure.

Finally,

So in conclusion,I feel personally, if you kids are above average, he/she may be better off in mainsteam; if your kids are stuggling, then, homeschooling is better.

However, as parents, our choices or preferences concerning our children's future and development, we should not make any of these choices becoming legalistic or self glorying. Whethere or not homeschooling,keep options open, and admit our limits, most important, pray and enjoy your children. Ask divine help in every area of each child's development.