Help with studying

pleataring

Has anyone had any experience of homeschooling? In particular, I am interested in the age group of 4-6 years old. My niece is too often sick, so the paediatrician advises me to switch her to home schooling. The whole family is worried that the girl will be limited in social contacts and this may play a cruel joke. They are also interested in the financial aspect.

Emmia

How capable do the people involved feel about taking this responsibility on? Can someone afford to not work to provide the education?

How does the child feel about not going to school and seeing and making friends?

Is your niece genuinely sick, or would a different school be something to consider, if there's bullying etc.

marcia_

 I have a friend who home schools, she swears by the many facebook groups on home schooling  in our area. The families meet up and do educational and fun activities together. They also share lessons and resources. 

Savvy_Sue

I know quite a few home schoolers and the children take part in Cubs, Brownies etc as well as all the home school groups already mentioned.

Education Otherwise https://www.educationotherwise.org/ is a good place to start.

elsien

I’m slightly confused as to why a paediatrician is advising you rather than the child’s mother?

It’s an unusual thing for them to recommend so it would be helpful to know what the specific health issues are. If it’s the coughs and colds that children get when they first start going to school, that’s pretty normal unless there’s some sort of immune system deficiency which is of concern.
Also, what do you mean by the financial aspects? Do you mean it might cost more because of doing extra activities? 

Homeschooling will become more difficult as the children get older unless parents are committed and have the knowledge or resources to make sure they get the education they need.

sheramber

If attending school is the source of the repeated illness will social groups not also be a source of infection. 

unless the illness is not caused by infection?

sheramber

My neighbour home schooled her son and my friend’s DiIL home schools  her 4 children.

As far  as I know there is no government  help with home schooling but your local authority may provide something. 

db3333

Hi,

We home educate and it's the best thing we ever did.

Our children have so many opportunities to play with other children, the 'lack of socialization' thing is a myth unless you choose to not leave your house with your children!

They also learn to mix with kids of all ages and are confident having conversations with adults.

I'd advise checking out this website to give you a clear view of what is expected of you and what your rights and responsibilties are....

https://educationalfreedom.org.uk/

I'd also look at local home education facebook groups as that's where the majority of people advertise meet-ups, groups, days out etc.

You get no financial support at all from the gov and most families have to give up a wage in order for the other parent to educate the child but there are tons of cheap and free resources and you save on school uniform, trips, 'bring in £5 for this day' payments.

Most home educators don't do 'school at home' but as long as your child is getting a suitable education, this can look almost any way that works for your family.

A lot of the children who are home educated in the UK have extra needs that aren't being met by schools and the parents want to know their children are safe and happy.

Itt also doesn't become difficult as the child gets older - many people learn alongside their child as they are teaching them and there is currently no legal requirement for them to sit any exams.

A lot of families also use tutors for subjects they aren't confident teaching.

I would ask (quoted from another website) - if an establishment didn't teach you well enough to educate your own primary-age children, why would you want to send them there??

elsien

There may not be a legal requirement to sit exams, but they will be disadvantaged in the workforce for most jobs if they don’t do so when they get to GCSE age.
Which I think is important to bear in mind.

db3333

elsien said:

There may not be a legal requirement to sit exams, but they will be disadvantaged in the workforce for most jobs if they don’t do so when they get to GCSE age.
Which I think is important to bear in mind.

It is, and ours will be, but it is not essential and many children have health problems that make that very difficult.

Emmia

db3333 said:

elsien said:

There may not be a legal requirement to sit exams, but they will be disadvantaged in the workforce for most jobs if they don’t do so when they get to GCSE age.
Which I think is important to bear in mind.

It is, and ours will be, but it is not essential and many children have health problems that make that very difficult.

The difficulty is that at some point children become adults and should really enter the workforce.  Without formal qualifications this becomes harder, leaving people at a lifelong disadvantage.