Three Reasons why Parents Choose to Teach Kids at Home

Homeschooling, where children can learn at home with their parents instead of being in a classroom setting with a teacher and a specific schedule, has always been an alternative to public or private school education.  Every family’s reasons for choosing home school are different and personal, whether based on health, location, finance or religion. In recent years, the number of families choosing to keep their kids home has increased; and in the last year, the global pandemic is among the top reasons families have changed to homeschooling.

Families often decide to enroll their students in the top Christian schools online so their children receive an education based on teaching that is in alignment with the family’s worldview. Families attend church and enroll their kids in church programs and Christian clubs, but they also partner with a Christian homeschool program so they can have a holistic educational experience. While this is an important factor in parents deciding to switch to homeschooling, it is not quite at the top of the list as it used to be because there are other factors driving the decision with more urgency.  

In recent years,  peer pressure and bullying issues in traditional schools have risen significantly in all grades -- from elementary to high school, and the results have been an uptick in school violence and personal student issues. Homeschooling gives parents the opportunity to minimize their children’s exposure to these concerns and allow them to focus more on their education. Students develop academically with more confidence because they don’t have to compare themselves to everyone else in a classroom or wonder if someone is going to get mad and bring a weapon to school to hurt others.

Another factor that has come about recently is the global  COVID-19 pandemic which has parents concerned about sending their kids back to a public-school environment where they must wear masks and be exposed to large groups. The number of families enrolling in homeschool programs has dramatically increased over the past year with the primary motivation being the safety and health of children. The best online homeschool programs are designed to be flexible for family situations -- so that parents can teach, or leave the teaching to the professionals and while providing a quality curriculum, formal documentation and a reliable support system.

No matter what the reason is, deciding to homeschool will always be personal so that families are invested in the process and will pursue a program that meets their needs. There has never been a better time to transition kids to home learning so they stay safe, healthy, confident and ready to pursue their education with a determined focus. Go online and search for a quality backed program but also look for local homeschool groups and online resources that can help provide tips on how to get started, the pitfalls to avoid and best practices for teaching all grades and learning types.