What do you imagine when you envision a homeschooled child? I must admit that if you asked me that question 5 years ago I would say that I pictured a feral cat of primary school age. A child who was utterly untamed, and whose parents probably made some of life’s biggest decisions based solely on celestial events.
I had as many preconceived notions of homeschooling as anybody else before we began our journey. Children who were not in school each day couldn’t possibly be learning as much as children with access to fully staffed educational hubs, filled with trained professionals, libraries full of materials, and curriculum designed to get the most out of each child. These institutions of learning were unrivaled in their ability to provide everything a child needs to develop their minds, their bodies, and their souls. How could a child educated, socialized, and indoctrinated by only their parents become anything of great value to society?
How could a parent deprive their child of the educational opportunities provided through the school system, be it public or private? The social interactions provided through school and school-related activities are important factors in a child’s development. The diverse learning experiences provided by a schedule of primary subjects and ancillary programs like music, art, and physical education are the building blocks of a healthy and well-rounded child.
What I realized through our journey is that these children are not feral, well sometimes, but they are free. They are free to be children for as long as they possibly can. They are free to choose what interests them and to dive headfirst into those subjects. We also believe that as parents who have removed our children from the school system, we are even more responsible for making sure they get access to learning materials, trained professionals can be found online through Youtube videos, books, and learning guides authored by teachers and scholars in every subject. Our children are free to explore any avenue of life, and we are free to explore it alongside them. Our children’s minds are filled with knowledge that interests them, except reading sometimes. There is no filler, no unnecessary time spent studying to pass a state-mandated test, and no filter on what they are allowed to learn. They will learn about religion, all of them. They learn about good and evil, and that it is present in just about everyone regardless of race or gender.
The reality is that a parent of a homeschooled child has made a promise to that child that they will sacrifice their time, an extra income, and anything else it takes to ensure that child gets the most well-rounded education and childhood possible. We are providing our children the same opportunities as their traditionally schooled peers without constraints, a vastly improved teacher-to-student ratio, and a curriculum that can be tailored to suit their exact needs and interests as they grow.
Nicely said. Well written.