A Look At HomeschoolingWritten by Demetria Zinga
For many people, homeschooling is either best option or only option for teaching their children. This is due to various factors: conditions of school systems, temperaments of children, vast learning abilities or disabilities of children, and a wide spectrum of other factors such as school-family incompatibility, multiple intelligences in which certain children learn best under circumstances and environments that are not offered in either public or private schools, as well as religious convictions and beliefs that are not tolerated in public school system (specifically, Christian beliefs such as creationism). These are all valid and unquestioningly solid reasons to homeschool your child. With wide selection of homeschooling programs, curriculum, and both state-supported and/or Christian endorsed programs available, opportunities are endless for a parent who wants to homeschool. The very best thing to do is to check out your resources with your local community in mind. Homeschooling support groups should be available in your area. Do a search online or get a community events and organizations calendar from your local library. Ask neighbors and friends. Most of all, ask around to different churches. There are so many churches today that are offering a "covering" program in which homeschooling parents may fall underneath their program "umbrella". The church will help you with record-keeping such as test scores, your daily homeschooling journal, and vacinnation records for state. Secondly, discover what it is you want to accomplish through homeschooling. Does your child absolutely NEED to be homeschooled for specific reasons or is it a choice that you and your family feel strongly convicted of as a necessity for your child? Either way you look at it, you are justified in your choice. However, be sure that your child will BENEFIT from being schooled at home. As a homeschooling parent, you have now become teacher. Organization and discipline are important disciplines you will need in order to be a successful teacher and to have your child be a successful student. If you need additional help and need to hire a private tutor, for instance, never feel ashamed by any means. Doing what's best for your child is only thing that matters.
| | Homeschool - Planning AheadWritten by Mary Joyce
Probably one of first tasks you should assign yourself after you have committed to your decision to homeschool would be to investigate homeschooling law in your area. As a parent you will need to understand your state’s laws and regulations concerning operating of a homeschool. Each state sets its own guidelines, parameters, and regulations for homeschooling. Some are quite easy and some are not. There is no general statement that applies to all states. Be sure to inquire and get copies of all homeschool rules and regulations for your state.Be sure to check with your state about mandatory school ages. If possible don’t feel as though you have to begin homeschooling your child at traditional age if state allows. Studies show that many children that start traditional schooling at required early age also get bored earlier that those who start at a later age. Looking ahead what about college? Do home schooled kids have trouble being accepted into colleges? Without question! Home schooled young people have successfully enrolled in State Universities across country, Tech Schools, even Ivy League Universities. In fact, many universities send recruiters to Homeschool seminars and conventions to attract home schooled kids.
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