Freedom of Homeschooling

Supporting children towards their true purpose. Homeschooling: Benefits, Challenges, and Conscious Choice. As a homeschooling parent, I wish to raise awareness of both the benefits and challenges of homeschooling children.

The National Home Education Research Institute (NHERI) suggests that there are over 2.3 million homeschooled students in the United States. Although homeschooling was considered an alternative form of education a decade ago, it has now become increasingly mainstream. Research also shows that home-educated students typically score 15 to 30 percentile points higher than public-school students on standardized academic achievement tests (NHERI, 2019).

There are many reasons families choose homeschooling. In my experience, most families who take this path desire a more hands-on approach to education, as well as a more individualized curriculum and learning environment for their children. The experience of freedom and the value of independence over fixed learning outcomes, such as standardized testing, is the primary reason I chose homeschooling. Through experience, I have identified three core values common among homeschooling families that support children toward their true purpose.

Three core values of homeschooling

1. Freedom of thought

In traditional education, students are most often taught through standardized curricula designed to ensure that all students acquire the same information and learning goals. Freedom of thought allows homeschooling families to value each child’s unique interests and abilities, supporting them on their individual life path.

One practical way to nurture freedom of thought is to give children time to be curious and to self-evaluate their learning. Allowing children to participate in decisions about what they learn and how they learn strengthens autonomy and intrinsic motivation.

2. Freedom of individual achievement

Children can be taught from a young age that their achievements should be measured against their own development rather than compared to others. By learning to trust their inner validation and motivation, children grow in confidence and self-awareness. By focusing on co-creation rather than competition, children learn to reflect on their learning progress in alignment with their dreams, interests, and long-term goals.

3. Freedom of individualized pedagogy

Whether a child enjoys reading and writing, has creative talents, or prefers a hands-on approach to learning, homeschooling offers parents a unique opportunity to explore diverse learning strategies. Long-term, individualized learning approaches support children in self-evaluation and reflection. In contrast, traditional education often prioritizes short-term learning strategies focused on quickly acquiring information to pass tests or assignments.

Challenges of homeschooling and how to turn them into strengths

How does homeschooling differ from traditional education, and what challenges might parents face?

Although homeschooling is described as the fastest-growing form of education in the United States according to NHERI in 2019, parents may still hesitate due to common concerns. Below are three challenges and ways to transform them into strengths.

1. The challenge of time

Many parents work full time and struggle to imagine how they could educate their children themselves. Rather than focusing on the lack of time, consider co-creation. Children can be taught self-learning strategies that empower them to guide their own education. Parents can also join homeschooling communities or co-teaching groups, sharing responsibility and support with other families.

2. Academic success

Parents may worry whether they are good enough to teach their children. Homeschooling parents are not expected to be professional teachers. Support can come from private tutors, mentors, online resources, or group learning environments for subjects that require additional expertise.

Homeschooling does not mean doing everything alone. It means curating the best learning environment for your child.

3. Social life

Concerns about socialization are common. Homeschooling communities and co-learning environments provide children with meaningful peer interaction while also offering parents inspiration and shared experience. Many children thrive socially when removed from traditional school settings, especially if they felt overwhelmed by academic pressure. When energy is not solely focused on performance, children often feel more open and energized in social situations. It is also important to remember that homeschooling is often just one phase of a child’s life. It can support independence, self-knowledge, emotional resilience, and the ability to enjoy one’s own company, learning to become their own best friend.

Closing Reflection

When considering both the challenges and benefits of homeschooling, it becomes clear that there are many valid pathways for a child to thrive. Regardless of educational choice, children’s goals and inspiration grow strongest when they follow a path of freedom guided by inner motivation.

Homeschooling can support children on their life journey by helping them experience education and life as one.