A few months ago, I met the first real person who is a homeschooling enthusiast. She had big jeans and humongous shoes on. The big jeans looked like the baggy jeans cool guys used to wear back in the day. The shoes were like the ones Mr N wears to work. The big shoes protect the feet from accidents in a room filled with machines.
During our conversation, she mentioned homeschooling. I was interested in knowing more so after the programme, I stayed back with her to hear more about it. She told me she went to a public school, which threatened her faith in God. She said she really wanted to homeschool her kids who are still toddlers. She promised to give me a book about homeschooling, which she eventually brought to my house.
she gave me and that changed everything! I couldn't find one single reason to not want to homeschool. Yesterday made exactly one month since Mr N and I embarked on this journey of educating our girls. Here is why we do this:
1. Private Schools are Expensive
Public schools here are free which is a really cool thing because the bus comes and gets your kids out of your life for a few hours. They teach them, feed them and you do not have to pay a dime. But you can never be sure how your kids will turn out because they get to mix with kids from various backgrounds. Some public schools here are really good with teachers who are Christians, small classrooms and a great community. But this is not the case for us. So we decided that we would rather send the girls to Christian private schools. However, after a few phone calls to some choice schools, we discovered that they are so expensive. So we decided to use the many resources at our disposal to teach them ourselves.
2. The Girls are Fast Learners
When girl number 1 was tested for kindergarten readiness, she far surpassed the required score. But she had to go to preschool again for a whole year because according to the system here, you must be 5 years old by September 1st before you can go to kindergaten. She was four at the time of her test. So we had to send her to preschool again for another year just to let the time pass. Each time I had a meeting with her teachers, they told me she already knew the things they were teaching. The school system restricts kids to a particular class at a particular age regardless of whether they are ready or not. It doesn't allow the slow learners to catch up or the fast ones to learn as much as they want. We want to be able to help the girls learn as much as they want with no restrictions.
3. Homeschooling is Legal here
In some countries like Germany, it is illegal to homeschool your kids. Here in the United States, it is very legal. You only need to inform the government of your decision and they will test your child from time to time to see if they are learning well. A report shows that approximately 1,770,000 students were being homeschooled in the United States in 2013. The numbers keep growing. There are also LOTS of homeschooling resources and families around so it's not a lonely venture.
4. Faith
We are so driven by our faith in God to homeschool. Our curriculum is Christian-based, which means that we are not just teaching them to read and write, we are teaching them about Jesus. This is the single most important thing to us. What shall it profit them if they gain all knowledge and lose their souls? We want to raise godly women who understand that the most important thing in life is being like Christ.
5. Positive Social Interaction
One of the main reasons many people say they do not like homeschooling is because they think homeschooled kids don't socialise enough. I felt this way too and even pitied homeschooled kids. The truth, however is that kids that are homeschooled get to have positive social interaction. This interaction is not marred by bullying and other interactions at school that could negatively impact a kid for life. They also have an easier time relating to people of all ages and not just people of a particular age group.
6. Kids Teach Themselves
Kids have a way of figuring out things for themselves. So our job here is not to force things into their brains but to guide them to learn. Also, they get to study for knowledge and not grades. They pursue dreams and not scores.
7. Bonding
Being home with the girls each day is one of the things I appreciate much about my life at the moment. Life will not always be this way. While there are amazing people out there, no one loves and cares for my kids like me. They will eventually grow up and leave home so I want to be with them for as much time as possible. Homeschooling makes our bond stronger. They get to bond with Mr N when he teaches them. There is just this sense of togetherness in our family since we started doing this.
That said, I can't guarantee that I will always be an exclusive homeschooling mom. Life happens and sometimes we need to make changes. However, even if my kids eventually attend school I will always teach them actively at home because it helps them tremendously. Most parents hire private tutors to help their kids learn better. This is something parents can do themselves. I have heard teachers say the best teacher a kid can have is their parent. This is so true!
I am taking one step at a time and trusting Jesus as we continue on this journey. I am not wearing big jeans or big shoes like my homeschooling friend. I am also very flexible with no strict schedules or anything like that. It is not an easy ride but it is a worthy one.
Have you ever considered homeschooling? What do you think about homeschooling?
Esther says
OMG. This is so so cool. I like that you have embarked on something as daring as this. I don't know if homeschooling will ever be legal in Nigeria you know. But it would be something very nice of it were because just like you stated, the stuff kids are exposed to amongst other kids is brain shattering. A primary school level kid already knows too many negative stuff.
That bond that homeschooling creates in the family is also awesome. You can always watch your kids react to things - pleasant and unpleasant and steer them towards the right direction.
I trust Jesus to see you through. This is one hell of a beautiful decision. Stay strong.
Precious Nkeih says
S2C, I think it's not a thing in Africa generally. Perhaps with time, more Africans will embrace it.
Precious Nkeih says
Esther, where have you been?
I have read your comment again and again and I still can't get enough of it.
Thanks darling! You just made me hold on to this decision to homeschool tighter. God bless you.
Precious Nkeih says
I didn't even think of the sexuality education but that really matters too.
The people I know are Christians too. Apparently, Christians are more likely to make the choice than non-Christians.
S2C says
Homeschooling is not a thing in Nigeria but I loved your reasons. And I think that this post will be of much help to people who are considering it for one reason or another.
Ife Leke says
That's a nice one. Home schooling is cool.
MANUSCRIPT - CHAPTER 16 (Check out the previous chapter here) Pamilerin dropped the manuscript and smiled in approval. Good! She was getting her vibe back, he decided. This was a lot better than some of the chapters she had sent in. They were also coming in faster these days, in fact too fast he had been too busy to touch this particular chapter for three days. Continue here
http://www.ayandola.com/2016/08/05/manuscript-wrong-right-sixteen.html
Kachee Tee says
I was just talking to Tee about homeschooling yesterday. I think it's great if you can work around it. Most people I know who do it, are Christians and do not agree with a lot the sexuality education being taught in schools these days.
http://www.KacheeTee.com
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Angele marie says
I love the reasons for homeschooling. I am a pre k teacher and I understand what you are talking about. Homeschooling is great also in that you meet the education, emotional and psychological needs of your children instead of them being lost in a class or crowd. In this part of Europe it is not recognised. I would have loved to do just that.
Precious Nkeih says
Awww, you are a pre-k teacher? How cute! I really admire teachers.
That one on one time with the kid while homeschooling is everything.
Thanks for your encouraging words, dear.
Bubu Green says
Oh dear. This is so helpful. You know how this has bothered me. Inasmuch as we are still school- hunting, after reading this, I think home-schooling's got a great shot in our options as well. Thanks for sharing. http://www.bubusboulevard.com
Kewrites Kewan Fombong says
Wow Ma'am! (permit me call you Ma'am) I always admired you but do more now:-) homeschooling! wow, love all the reasons to homeschool kids but honestly, I am not sure I can embark on that journey at least not now. But life happens and I may consider it someday. Will stay tuned to know how it goes, may grace abound to you and Mr N
Precious Nkeih says
Haha Kewan, why art thou calling me Ma'am nah? Precious, abeg.
You are making me blush, seriously.
Guaranteed, homeschooling may not be the best fit for all families. At least your kids still get educated.
Thanks, hun!
Precious Nkeih says
Is homeschooling legal in Saudi Arabia?
That could be a great choice for you. There are lots of resources on the internet.
Thanks for always stopping by, dear.
Joy2Endure says
I have a friend who was homeschooled and she turned out well. It is not very organised or widespread in Africa and some parts of the world but people do it all the same. The reasons advanced are valid and I wish you all a happy learning adventure and stronger family ties and bonding.
Precious Nkeih says
I smile each time I hear about a homeschooled kid who turned out well. Thanks enough motivation for me. Thanks for the well-wishes, sis!