Are you a family that loves to travel? Do you find yourself constantly planning trips and dreaming of new places to explore but don’t want the kids to be behind in school? Have you heard of homeschooling and or road schooling? There are many different homeschooling options available, and each one has its own set of benefits.
So, how do you decide which option is best for your family? In this blog post, I will explore the pros and cons of homeschooling, the different methods you and your family can try, as well as enjoy the experience of traveling without taking away their schooling.
Let’s get started!
The Pros and Cons
When you think of homeschooling, do you think that it always has to be at and or in a “home” aspect? That doesn’t always have to be the case. A pro to homeschooling is when traveling, you are not always bound by local restrictions. With regular schooling, you are having to miss school because of your travel schedule. Leaving your kid behind on their studies as well as gaining an absence on their record. With homeschooling, your child will be on their own time and never be absent. A con is that the kids miss out on opportunities that take place at a regular school. Like enjoying interacting with other kids or in school activities.
Different homeschool methods
Parents who homeschool their children often do so because they want to provide them with more personalized education or feel that the public or private school system isn’t meeting their child’s needs. And while there are no hard and fast rules for traditional homeschooling, most parents follow a general curriculum that includes reading, writing, math, science, and social studies.
There are several different methods to try if you want to explore homeschooling your kids. Let’s explore some of your different methods!
Traditional Homeschooling
Traditional homeschooling can be similar to traditional school. Typically schooling takes place online or at home and parents focus on the four core subjects, Math, English, Science and History. There is usually some structure and parental oversight.
One key difference with homeschooling vs the other methods we’ll cover is traditional homeschool parents can be hands off if they choose to homeschool through a charter school or an online school like ASU Prep Digital. These types of programs are set up just like public schools where online learning takes place online with real teachers and often include other students. They utilize pre-made curriculums, a mix of textbooks, worksheets, videos and can also include field trips.
Unschooling
With unschooling, it is a child-led approach to education that allows kids to learn at their own pace and in their way. Some structure and parental oversight are sometimes included in unschooling, but it’s typically much less rigid than what you would find in a public or private school.
Eclectic homeschooling
Eclectic homeschooling is a term used to describe a homeschooling approach that incorporates a variety of methods, philosophies, and materials.Eclectic homeschoolers may choose from Charlotte Mason, Unit Studies, Classical Education, Waldorf Education, Unschooling, or any number of other approaches. They may use traditional textbooks or unschooling methods. They may follow the principles of one specific method or mix and match different ideas to create their own unique approach. Eclectic homeschoolers believe that there is no one “right” way to homeschool and that diverse resources and approaches can be combined to best meet their individual families’ needs.
Homeschool Co-Ops and Hybrid Programs
A homeschool co-op is a cooperative of homeschooling families who join together to provide educational opportunities for their children. Co-ops can be as informal as a group of parents getting together to swap ideas and resources, or they can be more formal with scheduled activities and a designated leader. A hybrid program is a school that offers both home instruction and traditional instruction. The home instruction may occur in the student’s home, in a public school classroom, or online. Traditional education may arise in a public school, private school, or home with a tutor.
World schooling
World schooling is an approach to education that allows students to learn from various cultures and experiences. Students who are world schoolers may travel the world and live in different countries for varying lengths of time to gain an education. Some people might choose to homeschool their children and take them with them on their travels, while others might enroll their children in local schools in the various countries they visit. There are no set rules for what constitutes world schooling—the important thing is that the student has access to various educational experiences.
Road Schooling
As I mentioned earlier, Road Schooling is a term used to describe the practice of homeschooling while traveling full-time in an RV. There are many reasons people choose to road school their children. Some people do it because they want their children to have a more immersive learning experience, while others do it because they want to travel and see the world. Still, others do it because they don’t think traditional schooling fits their child. No matter why you choose to road school your children, there are some essential things you need to keep in mind. First, make sure you have enough space in your RV for all of your children’s school supplies and materials. Next, create a schedule that works for both you and your children. Finally, investigate the available resources for homeschooling while you are on the road. Not all curricula are adaptable to a mobile lifestyle, so it’s important to find one that works for your family.
Don’t take the fun out of traveling!
Schooling doesn’t always have to be exhausting or time consuming. Turn travels into learning about travel. Incorporate games in their curriculum that involve the whole family while out exploring the world. Even better, have them learn about the places you’re going before arriving at said location! This could fall under the history subject and, to kill two birds with one stone, reading as well.
There are various homeschooling methods available to parents who decide to educate their children at home. Some families choose traditional, formalized homeschooling, while others opt for more relaxed approaches like eclectic homeschooling. Whatever your particular philosophy, it is important to find curricula that align with your beliefs and give you the flexibility you need to homeschool your child. Lastly, don’t forget to make this new way of learning fun for your children!
