Homeschooling an option for many families

Although it may seem strange to many, the option of  homeschooling or home school is an alternative that, according to data from ALE (Association for Free Education) have already chosen more than 2.000 families in Spain. From «Mothers Today» we do not want to defend one educational style over another, each father and mother is in their responsibility to choose what kind of education you want to offer your children. Our purpose is only to inform about this type of approach present in every society, and that it is always appropriate to know.

The reason why many families choose the homeschooling It is simple: they consider that the current educational system does not "educate" or is focused on the real needs of the child. In countries like the United States, for example, this type of education is more standardized and many universities accept "homeschoolers" before students educated in public institutes because they consider that they are more prepared. However, there are many nuances that we must talk about and that we will explain to you below.

Homeschooling, when ordinary school is not a good option for many families

Many of us don't even think about it. When a child reaches the age at which he should be schooledWe look for a place in that center that is closest to home or that best meets the educational expectations that we want our children to meet.

However… What makes a father or mother choose to educate their children at home? Let's see the most common dimensions that define this option:

• The ordinary school does not cover the emotional development of a child. The academic and curricular organization does not adjust to the closest social reality in which we all live. Life is not organized into subjects, life does not make us fit just by mastering the multiplication table or know which rivers pass through Europe.
• Classroom learning is automated and completely decontextualized from reality. The centers do not educate to give the world adults emotionally mature and apt to carry out their own life, the centers educate to give the child a grade. If you do not meet basic minimums then you are considered "unfit for society."

These are the basic axes by which families choose homeschooling. However, according to Laura Mascaró, lawyer, writer and founder of the platform «For Educational Freedom«, Many families view this alternative with some fear. Although they accept these principles and do not wish to delegate something as important as the education of their children to third parties, society itself (especially the Spanish one) still does not fully conceive this option.

Pros and cons of homeschooling

Drawbacks about homeschooling

• To this day, and at least in Spain, there is no explicit legal recognition on the subject. In addition to this, something that families must also face is the fact of "having to give continuous explanations" to friends, acquaintances or relatives. The school is often raised as a sacred institution, as a backbone in every society that no one doubts. When in reality, it does not always offer the best answer to many children.
• Some families who have decided to "deschool" their children, that is, to opt for home schooling, have been persecuted by the administration.
• Another aspect to keep in mind is that to opt for home schooling, fathers and mothers must be prepared and trained to guide their children's learning. It takes time, structure, knowledge, habits and materials. Competencies that not all families have.
• Another drawback to take into account is that according to many pedagogues tell us, school is still the first social circle that a child must face. It is the first contact with society where they will have to assume competencies that go beyond academic ones, such as making friends, competing, assuming authority, and acquiring all those positive and negative life experiences that help them grow, and that they would not have, for example, in the safety of a home, and that perhaps, many children would miss.

Positive aspects of homeschooling

• According to statistical data, home schooled children have excellent preparation. The personalization of the teaching-learning process promotes the correct acquisition of knowledge, so that many boys and girls arrive perfectly prepared to be able to access university if they wish.
• They are more mature children when making decisionsThey have greater self-esteem and personal security.

To conclude, each family is responsible for the education of their children, therefore, knowing their own personal reality and if they wish, they can perfectly assume this option, in which, the first step will always be to inform yourself and have the maximum help what organisms like Platform for Educational Freedom can offer with complete peace of mind.

Likewise, the ordinary school continues to be that institution in which we continue to trust, and where educators, fathers, mothers and society itself will never stop fighting for it to improve, to make it more sensitive, wise and welcoming to educate our children.