5 Challenges of Homeschooling and How to Tackle Them

Home education options such as traditional homeschooling and on-line education are becoming increasingly popular in the digital age, but that doesn’t mean it’s always easy. Here are five of the biggest challenges home education parents face, along with ways to help you overcome them!

Lack of socialization

One of the most common concerns about homeschooling is that children will feel isolated and won’t get enough socialization. Homeschooled children may not have as many opportunities to directly interact with other children on a regular basis which might make it more challenging for them to make friends and learn social skills. 

However, this is only part of the story! The Centre for Learning@HOME understands there are many ways to ensure your child has plenty of opportunities to interact with other kids. Look for local homeschool groups, online communities, and extracurricular activities like sports or music lessons. Meaningful social interaction can be a key component of a home education program!

Time management

Homeschooling can be very time-consuming, especially if you’re also working full-time. Some parents who homeschool might not have a lot of experience with teaching, so they might not be as organized as a professional teacher would be.

Planning ahead with a schedule and taking advantage of online resources can help make homeschooling manageable. Try to set aside specific times for each subject or activity and get it done on time to establish a clear routine. Remember to take breaks throughout the day to avoid fatigue and burnout—and most importantly reach out to a homeschooling organization such as The Centre for Learning@HOME for support!

Finances

A home education program can be expensive, especially if you need to purchase learning materials. Homeschooling requires an investment of time and energy, which can mean that one parent may need to stay home to homeschool, resulting in a loss of income. 

However, there are many ways to save money, such as using free resources, used materials, borrowing materials from friends, or taking advantage of discounts. 

Curriculum

One of the biggest challenges of homeschooling is selecting the right curriculum for your child. There are so many different options available, and it can be hard to know which one will work best for your child. Another challenge is making sure that you are teaching all of the required subjects. 

Some tips on finding the right curriculum include researching different curriculum options on homeschooling websites and forums, talking to other homeschooling families to see what they recommend, and attending homeschooling conventions or workshops to get a feel for different curriculum options. Most importantly, reach out to home education experts at an organization such as The Centre for Learning@HOME for guidance! 

Keeping your child engaged

There are a number of reasons why it might be hard to keep a child engaged in a home education program—be it traditional homeschooling or on-line education. Some children may struggle to stay interested with the lack of social interaction that comes with being at home. Others may find it difficult to focus on their studies without the motivation of being in a traditional classroom setting. Additionally, some parents may not have the time or resources necessary to provide a high-quality homeschooling experience.

Some general tips that may help include making learning interactive and hands-on whenever possible, using a variety of different media and activities, and letting the child have some input into what they are learning. It is also important to keep the lessons interesting and engaging for the child, as well as making sure they are challenged but not overwhelmed.

Home education can come with challenges, but with a bit of organization and a positive attitude, the decision to homeschool can be very rewarding!

At The Centre for Learning@Home, we’ve supported homeschooling families in Alberta for almost thirty years and encourage parents to select a curriculum that suits their children’s specific needs. Call us at (403) 938-4119 or at our toll-free number 1-800-659-1945 to learn more about our home education programs.