Homeschool?

[Hypermodestmuslima]

Why Should We Homeschool Our Children?

"For the sole true end of education is simply this: to teach men how
to learn for themselves and whatever instruction fails to do this is
effort spent in vain." Dorothy Sayers

There are numerous reasons to homeshool our children, which is why so
many people are choosing this educational option for their families.
The most common reason is the obvious failure of the modern
educational system to train and educate young people. The 1993
National Adult Literacy Survey found that one in every five adults
was illiterate. The numbers in the 2003 report (to be released in
2005) are expected to be even worse.

Departments of education in such states as Alaska, Tennessee and
Washington have conducted studies that found the typical homeschooled
student comes out ahead on every significant measurement. Achievement
tests have found that homeschoolers average as much as 30 percent
higher than both public and private school students. Many elite
universities, such as Harvard and Yale, are beginning to recognize
the excellence of a homeschooled student's education, and are
actively recruiting students at homeschooling conferences and fairs.

For many parents there is also a concern about the child's character
development. With the tendency on school playgrounds towards peer
pressure, bullying, and cliques, it is difficult to encourage the
finer qualities in a growing child such as kindness, justice, and
compassion, Another natural quality in a child is self-motivation. In
the modern school system where the love of learning is cut off at the
root, children lose the ability for self-motivation and become
dependent on outside factors to stimulate them. In adulthood this
translates into the subsequent need for entertainment, amusement, and
diversion from what should be a life spent in the pursuit of
knowledge and excellence.

On both public and private campuses there is the increasing problem
of children being exposed to violence, drugs, and sex at very early
ages. Many parents don't want to gamble on whether or not their child
will become the victim of a violent crime, a drug user, or have a
teen-age pregnancy as a result of going through America's public
school system.

Another important aspect of homeschooling that often gets overlooked
is the bonding that takes place between the child, the parent, and
its siblings. A homeschooled child spends much more time with their
parents and siblings, time that forms deeper bonds and more
meaningful relationships with their family members, A healthy family
relationship sets the stage for the child's abiltity to form lasting
relationships outside of the home which is essential if one is to get
along in the world.

There is the amusing concern about socialization and homeschooled
children, and the irony is that homeschooled children are in fact,
better able to engage socially with all age groups than public or
private schooled children, which usually only feel comfortable with
their own age group. That homeschooled children are unsocial has
turned out to be a myth.

Some perks also come with homeschooling. Homeschooled families choose
their own curricula, not the state homeschooled families choose their
school days and hours, not the state, homeschooled families choose
their days off and vacations, not the state, and homeschooled
children though better educated actually have more time in the day to
learn a musical instrument, excel at a sport, become involved in
community activities, and form meaningful relationships.

The benefits to homeschooling are innumerable, If we are to have
healthy relationships with our children, raise independently
thinking, just and compassionate people, homeschooling, as an
educational option should be seriously considered by every parent who
is able to teach their child at home.

More @ http://www.kinzaacademy.com

[haqq]

Homeschooling is the best option these days. Especially with all the liberalism and the destruction of culture, morality, modesty and spirituality in these institutions. It brings in its wake anarchy, strife, mischief, immorality-fitnah, fasaad, fisq and fujoor.

Parents should really consider the option of homeschooling their children. They would be doing themselves a favor.

[Goldi]

Homeschooling, unless I do every bit of it myself, cannot be a legitimate option. and if I'm working full time, it's totally unrealistic.

(i mean, im for it, it's just difficult in the practical sense)

What alternative solutions are there?

[abdul518ca]

I do homeschooling, and it doesn't work like most people think it does.

The center that I go to is the biggest one in my province, about 5000 students. Most of them are hardcore-Christians. You go there at the start of every semsester, and you pick up books, and question sheets. At the end of the unit, you go back to the center, hand it in, write the test, then start the next unit.

Your parents do not really have to do anything. All they have to do is send an e-mail to the teacher once a week asking them how their son/daughter is doing in school. Most people think it's actually the *parents* who have to do the teaching, but that's not the case. Most of the stuff taught is self-explanatory, and even if you do not get it, you can call or have a video-conference with a teacher which is assigned to you.

[haqq]

Assalaamualaikum,


Homeschooling, unless I do every bit of it myself, cannot be a legitimate option. and if I'm working full time, it's totally unrealistic.

(i mean, im for it, it's just difficult in the practical sense)

What alternative solutions are there?

Many parents who work full time homeschool their kids. Homeshooling rules varies from country to country and even province to province. You don't need to spend 8 hours a day!!! From what I know and what families that homeschool their kids told me that all you need is about 2-4 hours a day.

Before you write off homeschooling for you kids, you should seriously spend time to find out all the details involved in your area.

It's not as hard as one might think. You'd be surprised.

Was-salaam,
haqq

[Abdur_Rahman]

Assalaamualaikum,



Many parents who work full time homeschool their kids. Homeshooling rules varies from country to country and even province to province. You don't need to spend 8 hours a day!!! From what I know and what families that homeschool their kids told me that all you need is about 2-4 hours a day.

Before you write off homeschooling for you kids, you should seriously spend time to find out all the details involved in your area.

It's not as hard as one might think. You'd be surprised.

Was-salaam,
haqq
:salam:

Na'am I agree homeschooling is pretty good my wife homeschool our kids :mash: and it takes lots of time (from the wife) and money (from the husband) to get things working. Living in America alot of working parents have sacrifice their working career to educate their children, a lady who works with me quit her job so she can be around her children more. As a parent one can understand the aspect of missing the time out for your child, :alhamd: we have a couple of muslim schools (the majority is from Grades 1-8).

Also there have been non-muslims families who prefer homeschooling thier children because they feel like their children do not recieve the necessary attention to give towards the child. Acutally 20 yrs. ago homeschooling was considered very 'odd' now as we see countless reports of school violence (especially in the US) the parents felt like it was time for them to be closer to thier kids. For my children we use HOP (See Link (http://www.hop.com/;jsessionid=PBK0ATUWJEAILQFIZDECFEQ) (wallahi it's a good program to have :D, even though you have to overlook the musical chimes and stuff) and also Calvert Schooling (Homeschool Link (http://www.calvertschool.org/engine/content.do). I feel like as a parent it's the best sites out their but other parents out there please feel free to post any other sites that I and other families can benefit :insh:

:salam:

[eat-halal guy]

:salam:

I've been through it all: public school, madrasa, correspondence courses (similar to homeschooling). I see the importance of being with other children and learning how to interact with others, but I still think homeschooling/correspondence courses are the best option. Parental supervision should always be there, since not everyone is a self-starter and self-motivated. But it teaches a lot of self-discipline and independence most students don't get in regular schools.

To all those who say correspondence courses are a disadvantage for getting into university, I think that's total hogwash. (personal experience, :alhamd: )

[VeiledOne]

:salam:

I've been through it all: public school, madrasa, correspondence courses (similar to homeschooling). I see the importance of being with other children and learning how to interact with others, but I still think homeschooling/correspondence courses are the best option. Parental supervision should always be there, since not everyone is a self-starter and self-motivated. But it teaches a lot of self-discipline and independence most students don't get in regular schools.

To all those who say correspondence courses are a disadvantage for getting into university, I think that's total hogwash. (personal experience, :alhamd: )


asalaamualaikum,

I agree that homeschooling is the best method and as for interacting with other students...well you can always put ur children in extracurricular activities and stuff. An after school program or aerobics classes are always options and this way they get to interact with non muslims as well. I think its important for kids to know they are people in the world who are not muslim and they are'nt aliens...lol..However, its a separate issue that we should teach them right from wrong and have them practice that insha'Allah. Kids should know how to conduct themselves with non muslims as well.

[Muslimsister]

http://www.penny.ca/homeschool/Life.htm

What About Socializing ??

Homeschool children interact with people of all ages
and all walks of life daily, at their convenience.
Public School children see the same people,
of the same at the same time, at the same place, every day.
The social standards of today's schools aren’t the best.
Going to school at home does not make you "socially screwed up"
Homeschool is not subject to peer pressure, or violence.
Nor do children adapt behavior patterns of their playmates.
Home schooled children are no more prone to become "social rejects",
than those attending the school system.
Which is geared to cliques, in-crowds, ridicule,
and labeling such as geeks & freaks..
Homeschool children aren't embarrassed
to be seen with their siblings.
They are also less prone to communicable diseases.
There is more to Homeschool than "HOME".
The World is Our classroom.

After all,
School is not about socializing.
It's about Learning.

[Idrees]

THE GREAT HOMESCHOOLING MYTH
For many people a homeschooled child brings up images of a socially sheltered and immature child. There is a myth in the mainstream culture that a child receives his only opportunities for socialization through a school environment. This is not true. On the contrary, homeschooled children actually have increased opportunities for positive types of socialization. This in turn leads to a more rounded and socially matured child.

In this day and age where gang problems, increased peer group pressures, drugs, crime, and haraam male-female relationships are an ever increasing problem in the public school; it is even more important for the Muslim parent to pick and choose his child's social experiences.

For the Muslim parent, one of the most important educational tasks to convey to their children is the necessary skills to enter Jannah (Paradise). Parents need to teach children the required aspects of Ibadah and Aqeedah in order for them to be successful in both this life and the one to come. One of the methods to attain this important goal is to provide them with appropriate social experiences. Homeschooling actually frees up valuable time for the parent to provide these experiences. In a homeschooling schedule, parents have the freedom to schedule and plan educational, social, and religious activities without the interference of a set school schedule. Rigidity is a common problem in the public school system where parents may have to negotiate with the school in order to provide religious experiences for their child during school time. For example, for male children over the age of seven attending Jumuah prayers with their father can be both a religious duty and an opportunity for important father-son bonding. While this task is easily accomplished for the child who is homeschooled, it can become a real obstacle for the parents of a public school child.

Another myth is that children who are homeschooled do not attend classes. This is the furthest from the truth for the typical Muslim child. Often times a Muslim child will either receive tutoring in Arabic from an Arabic teacher or attend a weekend school for religious and Arabic language instruction. Furthermore, many homeschooled children attend a variety of classes that can range from swimming, cooking, to enrichment science programs at a local university. The key is to shop around to find an appropriate class and experience that meets your child's educational needs and interests. Furthermore, these specialized types of classes and skills are usually not available to the public school student. For example, archery is a very good sport for children to learn. The Prophet Muhammad, sallallahu alayhe wasallam, said, "Allah, The Most High, will cause three people to enter Paradise for one arrow: the maker when he has a good motive in making it, the one who shoots it, and one who hands it; so shoot and ride, but shooting is more appreciated by me than your riding. Everything which a man amuses himself is vain, except his shooting with his bow, his training of horses, and his playing with his wife, for they pertain to what is right." (Tirmithi and Ibn Majah) Not many public school districts include archery as a part of the curriculum!

Other types of socialization opportunities available for Muslim homeschooled children include activities with local youth groups at the masjid. Active participation provides children with invaluable skills in leadership and teamwork, which will benefit them in the "real world of work". More importantly this helps create a stronger Ummah. Active participation within a Muslim youth group begins a lifetime of active participation within the Muslim community. Homeschooling can incorporate youth group activities such as working in soup kitchens, helping sick Muslims without family, and organizing clothing and food drives for the needy. These are just a few examples of activities that homeschooled children can participate in which brings a sense of accomplishment and InshaAllah good rewards on the Day of Judgment.

Therefore, a school environment is not the place where children can learn appropriate social skills. In fact, for the Muslim child, active participation within the community and additional classes actually increase the social opportunities of the student. Furthermore, these activities can benefit the child both in this life and the Hereafter. With the exception of an Islamic school, the social opportunities of a homeschooled child may be the only method of providing duality socialization experiences for the Muslim child.

Maysoon Zaza

http://www.alinaam.org.za/social/homeschooling.htm

[eat-halal guy]

asalaamualaikum,

I agree that homeschooling is the best method and as for interacting with other students...well you can always put ur children in extracurricular activities and stuff. An after school program or aerobics classes are always options and this way they get to interact with non muslims as well. I think its important for kids to know they are people in the world who are not muslim and they are'nt aliens...lol..However, its a separate issue that we should teach them right from wrong and have them practice that insha'Allah. Kids should know how to conduct themsleves with non muslims as well.

I totally agree. Actually, I was going to write something similar but I forgot and got carried away.

[Hypermodestmuslima]

Homeschooling is good. But it depends on the child and their individual learning. I know that I'd do pretty well in homeschooling, because well i learn better on my own, but for others attending a school is the best deal because they're just majorly in need of constant interaction to learn.

Ironically, I attend an all girl Islamic school, against my personal opinion of course.

[eat-halal guy]

If a kid is really smart, can he/she fast-track through homeschooling? The reason I ask is because my cousin's 8 year-old son (I think he's 8) is really smart, :mash:. He reads his sisters' grade 10 and grade 7 books and knows all this stuff from the science/geography books that even some adults don't know.

I was thinking he could get way ahead if he were to be homeschooled....

[Mossy]

Yeah, there's an 11 year old doing med and a phd at uni of chicago at the moment. At Oxford we get the odd person a few years ahead having been homeschooled too.

[VeiledOne]

If a kid is really smart, can he/she fast-track through homeschooling? The reason I ask is because my cousin's 8 year-old son is really smart, :mash:. He reads his sisters' grade 8 and grade 5 (I think) books and knows all this stuff from the science/geography books that even some adults don't know.

I was thinking he could get way ahead if he were to be homeschooled....


yeah sure, homeschooling really depends on the kids ability. If he/she picks up on a faster pace then you can move further on. I teach 2nd graders and I have kids from the ages of 5-8, all around the same level. Some kids just pick up faster.

[VeiledOne]

Yeah, there's an 11 year old doing med and a phd at uni of chicago at the moment. At Oxford we get the odd person a few years ahead having been homeschooled too.

Are you serious about the 11yr old? I always heard those stories and thought they were myths.

[Mossy]

Are you serious about the 11yr old? I always heard those stories and thought they were myths.

My bad, he was 12:
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2003-08-24-prodigy-school_x.htm

cuter pic:
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2000/12/05/60II/main254786.shtml

The young mind is a wonderful thing - think about the feats of the great ulema of the past :)