Factors to consider before homeschooling your child

Homeschooling in the Philippines is on the rise. Just like any new thing, people may jump on the bandwagon without considering various factors. Wisdom requires that one should consider the various factors before homeschooling their child . Homeschooling is not easy and parents should consider several issues before making the decision to homeschool.

Mr. Arturo N. Tangal, Director of Harvest Christian School International of Cebu, Inc, have many things to share with those prospect parents who are contemplating to homeschool their children (taken from About.com by Carol Brainbridge with some revisions):

Temperament and Anger

The first consideration perhaps is temperament, of both parents and children. It takes a lot of love and patience to homeschool children. Keeping up with house chores in addition to teaching the children can be stressful and stress may lead to bad temper. In addition, children tend to be intense but some are more intense than others. Parents who get easily upset may find it difficult to homeschool, particularly if their child is one who gets easily frustrated.

Time and Commitment

The next factor to consider is the amount of time a parent has to homeschool. One parent, if not both, must be committed to homeschooling and make sure that lessons are done. Homeschooling parents need to find the necessary materials and provide guidance for their children. Gifted children tend to be uneven in their development so they may need one level of instruction for math and another for reading. Children can't simply be given materials and left alone, at least not every day!

Flexible Scheduling

Although children need to learn subjects they don't like as well as those they do like, lessons should be flexible. Children do not need to spend time each day on each subject, nor do all lessons have to take place in the day time. For example, children can spend an entire afternoon on math or science or the subject of their choice. Flexible scheduling can be ideal for children s(especially the gifted ones) since they often love to immerse themselves in a topic before moving on to the next.

Academic issues

Although the flexibility of homeschooling makes it easy for parents to nurture the strengths of their child, they must also be sure to help a child strengthen a child's weaker areas as well. Homeschooled children can spend more time learning about their favorite topics in great depth and those topics can be connected to other subject lessons. Children who love dinosaurs, for example, can work out math problems involving dinosaurs and then write stories about them.

Socialization issues

Parents often worry whether a homeschooled child learn socialization skills. While this is a legitimate concern, all socialization need not take place in school. Children can be enrolled in community programs - choirs, theater, sports - all of which will allow them to spend time with other children. Schools should also allow homeschooled children to participate in extracurricular activities (but not usually to spend time in classes). Homeschooling co-ops also provide opportunities to socialize.

Legal concerns

Different states have different laws regulating homeschooling. Parents should learn about these laws before committing to homeschooling since some require quite a bit of time. For example, in some states, parents need to submit their curriculum and in some cases some lesson plans for approval. Other states, however, require only that parents declare that they will be homeschooling their children. Still other states require something in between these two. (Homeschooling in the Philippines is legal. The Constitution of the Philippines, Article XIV, Section 1(2) states that the country shall “Establish and maintain a system of free public education in the elementary and high school levels. Without limiting the natural right of parents to rear their children…” Under this last phrase, “Without limiting the natural right of parents to rear their children," ”religious groups, mission boards, and families can branch off from public education to create their own private education. In the Bible, the parents are the ones tasked by God to nurture and rear their children. Hence, the parents have the right to choose which form or manner of education is beneficial for their child. However, the Constitution also provides under Section 4(1) that “The State recognizes the complementary roles of public and private institutions in the education system and shall exercise reasonable supervision and regulation of all education institutions.” This is now where private schools will come in particularly, Harvest Christian School International (HCSI). In the Philippines, HCSI is a Dep Ed recognized and/or permitted to operate pre-school to high school courses in its physical campus in Mabolo, Cebu City, Philippines. It is on the basis of its Dep Ed recognition that it offers homeschooling/distance learning programs in the Philippines. In USA, HCSI is accredited to offer homeschooling/distance learning programs in basic education by the National Association of Private Schools (NAPS), Oklahoma, USA.)

Resources

Parents may feel overwhelmed by the possibility of homeschooling. What kind of curriculum should be used? Finding a local homeschooling group can be helpful. Parents can also contact high schools and colleges to look for tutors. A gifted high schooler can provide help with subjects a parent doesn't feel confident teaching their primary age children. Universities may have graduate and undergraduate students who may be interested in tutoring as well.

Finances

Finally, parents need to consider whether they can afford to homeschool. If both parents work, it can be a hardship to lose one income in order to stay home and homeschool. However, some parents are able to work at least part time if they participate in a co-op. Some co-ops are made up of parents who share teaching responsibilities. Not only does that allow parents to teach their strong subjects but it also allows them time to work or fulfill other obligations.

For more information about Homeschooling in the Philippines or Online learning, one may contact the following:

The Admission Director

Homeschooling and Distance Learning Programs

HARVEST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL INTERNATIONAL

24-B Tres Borces Street, Mabolo, Cebu City,

Philippines 6000

Tel. 6332-2310208; 6332-2329608

Cell. No. +639194968240

Website: www.hcsinternational.org

E-mail address: info@hcsinternational.org