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Homeschooling

We've been homeschooling since the beginning, and it has been a real joy to teach the kids ourselves.

"It is a miracle that curiosity survives formal education."

--Albert Einstein

Picture of me and two of the kids

This is our daughter, Sadie. She was in a public service announcement for:

The Way to Happiness Foundation

As a homeschooling mother of 6 great kids, I have a strong interest in anything and everything relating to kids, education and homeschooling.

There are now over a million homeschooling families in the United States. With national geography bee, spelling bee, and science fair winners coming from homeschooling backgrounds, homeschooling has gained more and more attention in the media. Because of this, it may appear to be a NEW thing. But even just a brief look into the history of education will give one an understanding of homeschooling in a different light. It is not a "new" thing. Besides being an effective method of education, homeschooling is a traditional method of education.

All four men on Mount Rushmore were homeschooled. In fact, Abraham Lincoln became a lawyer (not to mention President of the United States) without ever attending a single day of school.

Recommended books include:

John Taylor Gatto, Dumbing Us Down

L. Ron Hubbard, Learning How to Learn

John Holt, Why Children Fail

You can find other books I recommend by reading my reviews and lists at Amazon.

What about Socialization?
 
I feel the socialization issue is actually a non issue. For millions of years, people have grown up in communiies without the "benefit" of schooling - people have learned to get along with others. In fact, one could reasonably argue that sending a child to school is a sure method of creating socialization PROBLEMS in the child.
 
Homeschooled children learn to get along with others the way people always have - by dealing with family members, neighbors, extended family, shop clerks, fellow parishioners, and others in their communities.
 
The typical classroom is a very UNtypical environment. It's unnatural. When, in your child's life, will he be put in a situation where he is segregated by age - and no other criteria? Only in school are people forced to deal with - day in and day out - others whom they have nothing in common with other than age.
 
Most people choose their friends. They choose their jobs. They choose their interests, their hobbies, their activities. In school, children are forced to get along with other kids whom they may have NOTHING in common with. I believe this is at the core of the "socialization" problems gifted and talented children tend to have in school. If they were able to choose their own classmates, direct their own education, and learn about those things which interest them, we would have happier high IQ'ed children, and more brilliance shining forth from them.
 
There have been absolutely no studies that have ever shown homeschooled children to be poorly adjusted in any way, in comparison to their counterparts in government school. On the contrary, they are less likely to drink alcohol, use drugs, and engage in premarital sex.
 
When people ask me "what about socialization? Aren't you concerned about their socialization?" I still almost don't know how to answer. Lately I've just answered with, "Yes, I am concerned about it. That's the main reason we keep them out of public school! It's a terrible place for a child to learn socialization skills."
 
 

I suppose it is because nearly all children go to school nowadays, and have things arranged for them, that they seem so forlornly unable to produce their own ideas."
Agatha Christie
 

More Educational Quotes

Homeschooling & Educational Websites that I Use:

The fundamental data on HOW to study! Thanks to this technology, developed by L. Ron Hubbard, the kids are reading way above grade level.

Applied Scholastics

For intrepid homeschoolers who want to create their own curriculum, or any parent who wants to make sure the basics are covered:

The Core Knowledge Website


For my recommendations of educational books, visit my Amazon homepage:

About Homeschoolmum

For homeschooling support boards, visit Parentsplace. Chats and boards links are at the top of the homepage. This website has been very helpful to me!!

Parentsplace.com

What I like most about homeschooling, is that the kids get the idea that learning is not something that only occurs with textbooks or at school. Their natural curiosity has not been diminished or squelched.

Homeschooled kids love to learn!

Here are more great homeschooling links:

Separation of School and State

Robinson Curriculum - radically traditional!

Visit Historic Portugal | Patio d. Fradique | Education Quotes | Elephant Documentary to learn about the work of animal activists, Synthian Sharp and Tim Gorski.