Negative Effects Of Homeschooling
Homeschooling is becoming an increasingly popular option with many American families. Not only are you in full charge of the homeschool curriculum, you can even adjust it according to the needs of your child and completely forget about the trauma of attending a public school. Teaching your children at home can be accomplished several ways. There are three options: 1) Purchase a program from one of the homeschool curriculum providers, or buy used homeschool curriculum 2) Read to your child from great books, and explore the world together paying attention to what interests your child or 3) Design your own homeschool curriculum for free using the internet and the library. Teach your kids to get more organized. Award the kids for doing a good job.
There are however, consequences to schooling your child at home - sometimes it can affect their mental and social development. Children need friends, usually, they meet their friends in school so take a child out of school and where will they meet potential play partners? What will the other kids think of your homeschooled child? Like it or not, children in public schools often think that homeschooled children are not in public school because of mental disorders, behavioral problems, or “freaky” parents. Your child might be made fun of or picked on because he isn’t considered normal. These challenges must be overcome if you want your child to have a positive social life and be able to function amongst their peers when they get to college.
When you decide to homeschool the child, also take care of his companionship needs and this as important as his academic needs. For the child to have a positive social sphere later, here are some tips that would help you to put him on the right path. The best place to start is your own environment and neighborhood? How many children of the same age as your child live around your home? Do you know their parents? If not, try to get going now. Seek out parents nearby and let them know you have a child that you’d like to set up a play date. Because you have started the process, it is also up to you to take the initiative of organizing a kid party and calling a clown perhaps. Invite all the local kids over, their parents and organize a ballgame, fishing, bowling, or any other activity that children enjoy - even offer to baby-sit.
It is critical to organize sporting activities as, other than school, these are best chances which children get to make true friends. They spend a lot of time at practice and root for each other in games and you’ll be meeting other parents while watching all the games. If your child has physical problems or would embarrass himself on a playing field, get them involved in activities like Boy/Girl Scouts or any other local organization for children.
Some parents make the mistake of believing that homeschooling their children means they can keep them safe from the outside world but this too is an unhealthy attitude. While it is good to protect your kid from the so-called evils of modern society, remember the child also needs exposure to things which other kids are exposed to. Already your kid is getting branded as a ‘funny’ kid and having problems to cope with it, can you imagine where it would land him in the social circle if he was clueless about TV shows, the latest bands or even the current kid fashion trends? If they don’t learn about life outside their home and make other friends they will have a difficult time integrating into the world you so much want them to succeed in.