Is homeschooling for you?

Many families are finding the best education not only starts at home, but continues within the home environment. Jassmin Peter explores the ins and outs of homeschooling - an increasingly popular alternative to international and local education in Singapore.

The decision to educate your child outside of a school system may seem unfathomable, as this concept certainly goes against the grain of what is the "norm". Even if many adults openly admit to dreading their school years, only a few of us could conceive of choosing to tutor a child at home, rather than "send them to school". While 1.5 million children were homeschooled in the US in 2007, this practice has a long way to go before it can be considered a trend in Singapore - with a mere 280 children currently homeschooled, many of whom are expatriates.  

The benefits
Homeschooling is not only becoming increasingly popular amongst budget-conscious expatriates on local packages, it's also popular with others who believe the cost of international school tuition "exorbitant" - particularly if they have three or more school-aged children. Some parents are concerned the Lion City's education system is too pressured, while others simply want to increase the opportunity to bond with their child, or shield them from negative influences. Homeschooling can be based on a religious decision, or a parent's desire to instill a "true love" for learning in their child.
            "The benefits of homeschooling are endless," asserts Stephanie McDermott, an American expat who has homeschooled both her children in the past. "It allows you to tailor your teaching to fit your child's dominant learning style, while giving him or her in-depth, personal attention in any subject they struggle with or excel in. It solidifies strong family ties and has allowed my children to develop their God-given talents."
            Singaporean Chi-Ann Rajah, who married a Brit while attending University in the UK, knows first-hand about the rigorous Singapore school system. She chose to homeschool two of her three children after initially enrolling them in an international school. "I found I really connected with the philosophy behind homeschooling, which is the education of the whole child, not just filling their minds with facts and knowledge. I wanted learning to be a journey of discovery, for them to love the process of learning and not for schooling to be a means to an end," explains Chi-Ann.

The challenges
Parents who homeschool their children are a subset of a wave of new homemakers - well-educated, sophisticated professionals who have realised there's more to life than material needs and, forsaking their career, are nurturing their child's education at home. But such parents are taking the road less travelled and do face criticism and obstacles. "If you choose to homeschool, others may disapprove of the choice you make," explains Chi-Ann. "We are all products of our own educational experiences. There is certainly a fear if you don't do what everyone else is doing, you'll ruin your child's chances for academic success, and somehow stunt their growth and destroy their opportunities."
            Common worries about homeschooling include the ability of children to fit into a social environment, or fears they may miss out on opportunities their school-going peers enjoy. "But we are more than able to duplicate the school experiences we feel are worth recreating - and we usually do it better!," says Angie Maniam - one of the few Singaporeans who homeschools her four children. "At school, children have limited time to play. But children from home school environments tend to play with abandon when they come together. Play is also encouraged between children of various ages, with a good number of adults around to supervise, guide and teach good social behaviour. While play in school is confined to peers of an identical age and may not have the same levels of supervision. We conduct more field trips than schools and also have the opportunity to enjoy outings at a slower pace. This allows us to absorb each location, stopping longer when the children are interested in exploring - instead of rushing through an agenda."

Support
Homeschooling support groups have helped increase awareness and fuelled growth. Irish expat Laotse Sacker homeschools both her children and actively participates in the Singapore Home Schooling Group (www.singaporehg.byethost13.com) - a non-profit organisation established in the early 1990s, which meets regularly to participate in a variety of activities. "Many families come to Singapore as experienced homeschoolers; others are new to homeschooling or the 'rarefied' expatriate lifestyle. Given the Singapore Homeschool Group is a good mix of Singaporeans and expatriates, it can be an invaluable ticket into a social network that not only pursues similar goals, but also embraces a variety of backgrounds and faiths.," says Laotse.
            Parents are also encouraged to join support groups as the interaction allows them to exchange information on teaching syllabuses and brainstorm on new curriculum ideas. Those new to homeschooling are also able to meet parents who've followed this practice for some time and can meet the fruits of such labour, while children benefit by meeting new playmates.
            So what's the golden rule for homeschooling parents? According to American expat Betz Estad, "Don't homeschool - home learn! In other words, don't replicate the school environment in your home. Rather, make your home a place where you enjoy learning together as a family. Of course some structure and discipline is needed, but the best learning happens when learning itself is a pleasure."

Posted on Sep 09