Homeschooling as a form of education has been around for quite some time. But these days, it has evolved into “online homeschooling.” Here, the basic concept remains the same—a parent or a guardian, who is not necessarily an accredited teacher, educates their child at home. The only major difference is the use of online resources and course materials. As it turns out, this form of homeschooling offers a lot of benefits.
Vast choice of study material
One of the biggest advantages of online homeschooling is the extensive choice of resources. With access to the internet, it has become a lot easier for parents to find study material to teach their kids. Also, one does not have to rely on written matter alone. Parents and guardians can try to incorporate video lessons or even interactive games into their child’s study plan. Most of these study materials are available for free on the internet, so one can also save a lot of money.
Tailored curriculum
Since traditional schools cater to multiple students at once, they have a fixed curriculum for everyone. But this is not the case with online homeschooling. Here, parents or guardians can choose and design a curriculum using the internet that best fits their kids’ skill level, learning pace, and interests. One can also go beyond the traditional curriculum and include subjects that the child is especially interested in. This will significantly increase the child’s motivation and interest in learning.
Personal attention
It is not possible for traditional schools to focus on every child’s growth individually since they have a high student intake. But when it comes to online homeschooling, parents can give undivided attention to their kids. They can instantly understand if the little one is able to grasp concepts, and if not, adjust their pace accordingly. It also makes it easier for parents or guardians to create test sheets and quizzes using the internet. They can use these tests to assess their child’s strengths and weaknesses.
Development of behavioral skills
With personal attention, parents can achieve a lot more with their kids than just educational goals. They can keep a close eye on their child’s behavioral skills, emotional maturity, and social skills as well. And wherever they find scope for improvement, they can use it as an opportunity to teach. With online resources, it even becomes easier to find images, videos, and other creative resources for teaching emotional and life skills to kids.
Flexibility
With online homeschooling, one can be a lot more flexible with their teaching plans. Parents can easily come up with a schedule that best fits their and their kid’s lifestyle. Plus, on days when emergency situations or family commitments pop up, one can simply adjust the schedule accordingly instead of having to skip the teaching day altogether. Another aspect where online homeschooling offers flexibility is the place of teaching. Instead of keeping the kids restricted within a room, parents can take the learning anywhere, like in a park or in a museum. All they would need to keep the teaching going is a device (like a tablet) with an internet connection. Such outdoor study sessions can keep things interesting.
Better chance to identify special talents
With online homeschooling, parents can allocate time for their kids to participate in extracurricular activities. These activities are important for children to develop social skills and follow their interests. And since parents can give personalized attention to their kids, they can also identify any special hobbies or talents they might have. With the help of online resources, finding ways to help kids grow their specialized skills and interests becomes easy.
Improved bonding with the child
With online homeschooling, parents have a better shot at improving their bond with their kids. Doing that is not so easy with traditional schooling since the kids are not around for a major part of the day. Online homeschooling ensures parents are actively involved in each step of their child’s education. They can be a lot more than just an instructor or a lecturer by working together with their kids on projects, problem-solving, and even extracurricular activities. All of this will contribute significantly toward strengthening the bond and trust between the kids and their parents.
Supportive environment
Unlike in the traditional schooling system, children are not exposed to an unnecessarily competitive environment in online homeschooling. This keeps them away from a lot of pressure and stress of racing for good grades. Kids also do not have to worry about deadline-driven assignments and projects. Rather, with online homeschooling, a child is surrounded by individuals who are committed to supporting their growth and development. This ensures the child studies and grows in a safe and peaceful environment.
Although online homeschooling has several benefits, one must not rush with decisions. Parents should understand that everyone is different, so what works for one may not work for someone else. Speaking to other parents who have already begun their online homeschooling journey can help.
