Organically Inclined

Because I have homeschooled all of my children at one time or another - and currently have two who are homeschooled - and two teens who are not (Jack is just 2 and doing his own thing!), I get asked a lot of questions about homeschooling. Here are some of the more common questions and my replies. If you have a question - please email me anytime - misha@mishakennedy.com, and I’ll be happy to reply.

What does it mean to homeschool?

Homeschooling is different for everyone. For some, it means to simply replicate a classroom environment at home. These families might turn one room into a schoolroom complete with desks, a chalkboard and an alphabet chart at the top. They might also give out report cards, schedule field trips and work each day from 8 to 3.

For others, it means to totally turn conventional schooling on its head. These families might not adhere to any schedule and some utilize the method of completely student-guided learning, where what the child is interested in dictates what the parents help them learn about. For these families, there may be no such thing as a report card or a test.

Many families do a little of both. They like the idea of a relaxed schedule and student-guided learning, but still follow a strict curriculum for subjects like math and science. Or they might involve the student in their home business or farm and allow them to read and study different subjects at their own pace. Some might purchase a curriculum - or join an online school, but still allow their child to have the afternoons to themselves to do a project that inspires them.

One of the most interesting aspects of homeschooling is that every family can choose what works for each child in their family. One child might respond - and need - a very formal curriculum that has them do A, B and C before D, E, and F. And then gets a test on it at the end of a certain time period. Another child in the family might be able to work very well on their own and might have the motivation to learn about certain topics with little more than guidance from Mom and Dad.

What are the benefits?

The benefits to homeschooling are enormous and varied - depending on each person’s goals. A particularly gifted child will have the free reign to go as far as they can (or want to) in a homeschool setting without having to wait for other classmates to catch up.

A student who has interests in areas that are not taught in the local school can excel in a homeschool environment because they can explore their interests without losing valuable time on topics of little interest to them.

John Holt said, “The human animal is a learning animal. We like to learn, we need to learn, we are good at it, and we don’t need to be shown how or be made to do it. What kills the process is people interfering with it or trying to regulate it or control it.”

Allowing a child to learn without trying to instill a prescribed list of achievements is a huge benefit to some families. So is family closeness. Families who homeschool are very close because they spend so much time learning, living and playing together as a family. Further, because the family is at the heart of the child’s daily life, the child is more apt to be affected by the family’s values, as opposed to those of a child’s peers.

Flexibility is one of the benefits most often cited by homeschooling families. Rather than having to wait to “do something fun” in the summer or over a school vacation, the family can schedule their life as it suits them. This also gives children the opportunity to explore real life by being a part of it - rather than having it shown to them in an artificial environment.

What are some of the challenges?

There are many challenges in homeschooling - as there are in any other lifestyle choice. You might start out with a lot of enthusiasm - buying all sorts of great materials and then find yourself stagnating, or bored after the honeymoon period is over. You might find that you get frustrated trying to teach your child a particular subject, ready to blow your top over long division. Or perhaps you feel like you are spending all of your time on homeschooling and you never get to do anything else.

Like with anything else, transitioning to homeschooling requires time, energy and flexibility. Remember too, that while your children were at school six or seven hours a day, they never spent all of that time learning something. In fact, some education experts have postulated that in a six-hour school day, a child spends perhaps as little as one full hour actually engaged in learning. The rest of that time is spent on lining up, walking to and from classes or “specials,” disciplinary issues, recess, breaks, lunch, and what have you.

The amount of time actually spent on one individual child (if that child is not on an IEP - or Individualized Education Plan) is more like five minutes.

Bear this in mind when things are rough going. One of the benefits of homeschooling is having the time to take a break if one is needed - whether that break is for an hour - or a week or two. You can move on to something else when one subject is frustrating. Or if you are becoming bored, try and shake things up. Following a regimented plan only fosters these challenges rather than helping to alleviate them.

Don’t I have to be a teacher?

You do not have to be a certified teacher to homeschool. However, you are a teacher. You are a parent, and so by default, you are a teacher. Think of all of the things you have already taught your child. You may have taught him how to tie his shoes, how to hold a fork, how to use the bathroom, how to swim or how to ride a bike. These might seem like simple things to you - and perhaps they were, but you had to employ teaching techniques - whether you knew it or not - that were probably custom made for your child, in order to teach him or her a specific thing.

For example, when my oldest was ready to learn to tie his shoes, I used the same method that my father used on me: tie the square knot; make a loop, etc. etc. However, when my fourth child was learning how to tie his shoes, this simple play-by-play instruction did not work for him. He lacked fine motor skills that his older brother had at his age. So, I watched him work at it for a while and then helped him devise a way to tie his shoes that worked for him.

It’s the same with anything else. You know what your child is good at and you know what your child enjoys. This knowledge will help you guide your child in his or her learning experiences.

What if there is a subject my child wants to learn but I can’t teach?

This happens more often with older children and can easily be rectified in a number of ways. First, if it’s something you feel like you could learn - you can learn it along with your child, perhaps seeking out books or expert-based Web sites to guide you on your quest.
If it’s something like Algebra, you could try and find a friend or mentor with whom your child can work. Often a teenager who has already been through such a class will be willing to help out for a few dollars an hour, or a great reference on a college application.

If this doesn’t work out, there are an ever-multiplying number of schools that have gone online and offer a wide range of courses with teachers. Or, your child can simply take the course at the local public school. In most states, a school is required to offer any child in their district a place in a class - regardless of whether or not the child goes to that school full-time.

Obviously, for music and other classes, private lessons may have to be sought out, but a growing number of music schools, YMCAs and other organizations are starting to offer homeschool classes during the middle of day, so that homeschool children don’t have to compete for space with after school programs.

What about my special needs child?

There are many parents that have had wonderful successes homeschooling their special needs child. Some of the most important advice such parents give other parents who are looking into homeschooling such a child for the first time is to first find out everything you can about your child’s condition.

Then you will need to check with your state’s department of education and determine what the legal requirements are for educating a child with your child’s particular challenge.
Further, you will want to make sure that you are taking full advantage of what your state offers as far as education opportunities for your child. They may be required to offer occupational, physical or speech therapy services as well as a variety of other services.

In addition, every parent of a special needs child emphasizes the need for patience - not only with your child, but also with the system itself. Patience with oneself is also required as too often as parents we can get down on ourselves if we lose our cool - or don’t see improvement fast enough.

Also, homeschooling a special needs child can be physically and emotionally draining. All homeschooling parents need to take a break for themselves from time to time, but parents of special needs children will benefit from help if only to prevent burn-out.