Homeschooling
The idea of homeschooling has always been appealing to me. I do not know why exactly. Maybe it is the idea of being able to teach my children, or just the thought of having some kind of guide on what to do with the kids at home. I would surf the web for ideas, look at the curriculum sites, feel really tempted to buy something (thank God the rational side of me ruled thus far!), etc.
To be honest, even though I have considered the option of homeschooling, I have never considered beyond preschool level. When Mimi came along, I decided that it would be too much for me.
Mimi wasn't the only deciding factor though. Even until now, after researching and thinking through, I still have a lot more questions than answers and as far as I am concerned, as lot more 'cons' than 'pros'. Here are some :
1. I am not the teacher material. I know of people who are just good at putting ideas and concepts across very easily. I don't think I am the type.
2. My temperament does not seem suitable for the job. I am very impatient and quick tempered. Just teaching Dominic his spelling and ting xie is enough to make me cough blood.
3. I have this nagging feeling that there is an element of ego trip in wanting to homeschool. Be the supermom and wow everyone. But I told myself I cannot risk my children's education for my selfish ambition.
4. I also have this nagging feeling that there is this element of selfishness in me wanting to hold on to my children and not let go, which is not fair for the kids, of course.
4. I honestly don't feel the need to . In the US, where the whole homeschooling fad originated, the driving forces for parents to homeschool their children are mainly
(a) less than satisfactory public education system
(b) serious concerns regarding moral degradation and dangers in school, e.g. promiscuity, bullying, shooting, etc
(c) Religious conviction, ie. the whole evolution vs intelligient design, school prayers, issues.
As far as I am concerned,
(a) our public education system is good. Of course, it is not perfect and I do have my complaints, but generally, to be fair, it is good.
(b) schools here are generally quite 'harmless'
(c) I have no problem with this issue. What is taught in school and what is taught at home and in Sunday School can co-exist.
5. Our syllabus in science and maths are very highly esteemed even in the US. Why are we spending all that money to buytheir curriculum??? As for the other subjects, e.g. history, geography, social studies, I find little cultural relevance.
6. As to other concerns such as the fact that lots of time are wasted on administrative stuff in school, and the fact that one can cater to the specific needs of the child if homeschooled, well, I find these issues minor. And to homeschool in Singapore, you have to get MOE approval and basically cover whatever the schools are covering in time for PSLE, so I don't see how much 'tailoring' one can do. My honest and brutal opinion is that once a time line is drawn for something, there really isn't much leeway for flexibility. Just like the 'learn through play' preschool concept. Yeah, it all sound theoretically appealing, but it can only be carried out to a certain extent. When that P1 registration looms, parents would all be worried about whether their kids can read, add, multiply, to be ready for P1. Who has the luxury to let the child learn at his own pace and only start reading at the age of 8 ( referring to an example in John Holt's much acclaimed 'How Children Learn')?
7. The irony is that when we place our children in schools and enrichment centres, we expect the teachers to be qualified. In the US, they complain about the quality and qualifications of the teachers in public schools. But we have no qualms about teaching them ourselves when we are hardly qualified. Reading some homeschooling books and online boards, the excuses the parents give themselves are typically, 'dont' worry, you will pick up the skills along the way, your children will learn despite your inadequacy, yada yada.' Ok, one may argue that at home, we can have one-to-one attention. But then even when we engage a tutor at home, we expect the tutor to be qualified. A bit double standard, right?
Of course, the pros are:
1. Don't have to worry about stupid exams and spelling test - hate them hate them hate them
2. Don't have to worry about kids mixing with bad company. Then again, if they have been protected like a greenhouse plant, who is to say what will happen when they are let off?
3. If kid is really struggling in school, it is not a bad idea to pull him out, take him out of the pressure cooker, and homeschool him. He might just learn better under a less threatening environment.
4. Special needs issues, like learning disability and such.
So I guess homeschooling is not the path for us.
To be honest, even though I have considered the option of homeschooling, I have never considered beyond preschool level. When Mimi came along, I decided that it would be too much for me.
Mimi wasn't the only deciding factor though. Even until now, after researching and thinking through, I still have a lot more questions than answers and as far as I am concerned, as lot more 'cons' than 'pros'. Here are some :
1. I am not the teacher material. I know of people who are just good at putting ideas and concepts across very easily. I don't think I am the type.
2. My temperament does not seem suitable for the job. I am very impatient and quick tempered. Just teaching Dominic his spelling and ting xie is enough to make me cough blood.
3. I have this nagging feeling that there is an element of ego trip in wanting to homeschool. Be the supermom and wow everyone. But I told myself I cannot risk my children's education for my selfish ambition.
4. I also have this nagging feeling that there is this element of selfishness in me wanting to hold on to my children and not let go, which is not fair for the kids, of course.
4. I honestly don't feel the need to . In the US, where the whole homeschooling fad originated, the driving forces for parents to homeschool their children are mainly
(a) less than satisfactory public education system
(b) serious concerns regarding moral degradation and dangers in school, e.g. promiscuity, bullying, shooting, etc
(c) Religious conviction, ie. the whole evolution vs intelligient design, school prayers, issues.
As far as I am concerned,
(a) our public education system is good. Of course, it is not perfect and I do have my complaints, but generally, to be fair, it is good.
(b) schools here are generally quite 'harmless'
(c) I have no problem with this issue. What is taught in school and what is taught at home and in Sunday School can co-exist.
5. Our syllabus in science and maths are very highly esteemed even in the US. Why are we spending all that money to buytheir curriculum??? As for the other subjects, e.g. history, geography, social studies, I find little cultural relevance.
6. As to other concerns such as the fact that lots of time are wasted on administrative stuff in school, and the fact that one can cater to the specific needs of the child if homeschooled, well, I find these issues minor. And to homeschool in Singapore, you have to get MOE approval and basically cover whatever the schools are covering in time for PSLE, so I don't see how much 'tailoring' one can do. My honest and brutal opinion is that once a time line is drawn for something, there really isn't much leeway for flexibility. Just like the 'learn through play' preschool concept. Yeah, it all sound theoretically appealing, but it can only be carried out to a certain extent. When that P1 registration looms, parents would all be worried about whether their kids can read, add, multiply, to be ready for P1. Who has the luxury to let the child learn at his own pace and only start reading at the age of 8 ( referring to an example in John Holt's much acclaimed 'How Children Learn')?
7. The irony is that when we place our children in schools and enrichment centres, we expect the teachers to be qualified. In the US, they complain about the quality and qualifications of the teachers in public schools. But we have no qualms about teaching them ourselves when we are hardly qualified. Reading some homeschooling books and online boards, the excuses the parents give themselves are typically, 'dont' worry, you will pick up the skills along the way, your children will learn despite your inadequacy, yada yada.' Ok, one may argue that at home, we can have one-to-one attention. But then even when we engage a tutor at home, we expect the tutor to be qualified. A bit double standard, right?
Of course, the pros are:
1. Don't have to worry about stupid exams and spelling test - hate them hate them hate them
2. Don't have to worry about kids mixing with bad company. Then again, if they have been protected like a greenhouse plant, who is to say what will happen when they are let off?
3. If kid is really struggling in school, it is not a bad idea to pull him out, take him out of the pressure cooker, and homeschool him. He might just learn better under a less threatening environment.
4. Special needs issues, like learning disability and such.
So I guess homeschooling is not the path for us.