KarenI have decided to educate my child at home, but it took careful consideration to come to the right decision. Every parent needs to think about how they want their child to be educated, whether it means choosing to move home to be closer to better schools or even thinking about whether to select a private or boarding school. Educating your child often involves more than just school too – you play a part in educating them at home, even if you don’t choose to home educate. If you haven’t decided how you want to educate your child just yet, there are some important things to think about.
Consider Your Values and Ethics
This is one of the important factors to consider if you’re thinking about what form your child’s education is going to take. There are lots of ways your values and beliefs could affect your choices, from deciding to home educate to selecting a Montessori nursery or looking at private schooling. For some people, it’s worth paying for a better education. For others, a formal education within the school system might not feel right at all. What matters to you, what do you want for your child and how can you apply that to the decisions you make about their schooling?
Think About Time and Money
How much time you have to give to your child’s education and what you can afford are essential to consider too. You might take a look at your finances to see if you can afford a private school or boarding school, or you might see if you can afford to move to an area with better performing schools. If you’re thinking about homeschooling, you, of course, need to be able to dedicate your time to educating your child, whether it’s in a formal or more informal way.
Is it Worth Moving?
Many families consider moving home, so they have access to better schools. That’s why so many estate agents provide school information for their properties. Whether you opt for state education, private school or even want to find a bigger community of home educators, moving could be a wise decision. It’s smart to check out local schools and work out where catchment areas are. Of course, for private schools, your location probably won’t affect selection. However, you might still use a site like Educators to find the best school and decide to move closer. Having to make a long journey to school every day isn’t ideal for your child.
How Can You Support Formal Education?
If you’ve decided that your child will be off to school, it doesn’t mean you can’t support their education at home too. In fact, you should be doing what you can to help them make the most of their schooling. This starts with making sure they’re ready to start school, helping them to develop the skills they need, from going to the toilet to interacting with other children. When they’re at school, helping with homework, getting involved with their school and finding extra-curricular activities for them helps you stay in touch with their education.
It’s important to think carefully about your child’s education. Your choices can have a significant impact on their life.
