Home education, also known as home-schooling, is a growing trend around the world. Many families are choosing to educate their children at home for a variety of reasons, such as dissatisfaction with traditional schooling systems, religious beliefs or the desire for a more individualised education. However, despite its increasing popularity, there are still many myths and misconceptions surrounding home schooling that contribute to a negative stigma. Here, I aim to dispel some of those myths, and put forward the truth of the matter.

The Most Common Myths About Home Education – And The Reality

Myth: It’s only for religious families.
Fact: While some families choose to home-school for religious reasons, home education is not limited to any particular belief system. Families from all backgrounds and with a variety of motivations choose to home-school their children.

Myth: Home-schooling is not a valid form of education.
Fact: Home study can be just as valid, if not more so, than traditional schooling. Studies have shown that home-schooled children often perform better academically, have higher levels of social and emotional development, and are more likely to pursue higher education.

Myth: Home-schooled children are not socialised.
Fact: Socialisation is a common concern, but home-schooled children are not isolated from social interactions. They often participate in extracurricular activities, join home-school groups, and interact with other children in their communities.

Myth: Home-schooled children miss out on important experiences, such as prom and graduation.
Fact: Home-schooled children can still participate in many traditional school experiences, such as prom, graduation ceremonies, and sports teams. In fact, home-schooled children may have more time to participate in extracurricular activities and pursue their passions.

Myth: Home-schooled children are not prepared for the real world.
Fact: Home-schooled children can be just as prepared for the real world as their traditionally-schooled peers. Many home-schooling programmes emphasise real-world skills, such as entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and practical life skills.

Breaking Stigmas

Breaking the old stigmas of home study requires education and understanding. While it may not be the right choice for every family, home education is a valid and valuable option for those who choose it. By debunking myths and misconceptions, we can help create a more inclusive and accepting society.

It is important to note that choosing to home educate is not a decision that should be taken lightly. It requires dedication, hard work, and a commitment to providing a quality education for your child. Home-schooling parents must be willing to put in the time and effort to create a customised curriculum and provide a well-rounded education.

Home education is a valid and valuable option for families the world over. It is important those considering it are able to make an informed decision about whether it is right for them or not, and having a full knowledge of of the facts is therefore essential.

Home schooling in Spain is a challenging option. It’s not technically illegal, but some areas specifically don’t allow it – except in some circumstances. In fact the only thing that’s clear is that it’s totally unclear. Certainly, once you’re in the school system it’s very, very hard to get out again, so families who are choosing to home educate in Spain tend to do so from their children’s early years.

Home Schooling becomes a Global Norm

Countries across the world have vastly different laws about home schooling. Yet, during the Covid-19 pandemic, even those with the strictest laws about school attendance are locking the school gates and working out ways to support children’s learning in alternative ways. Teachers are setting up blogs and YouTube channels and sending work by email. Parents who are in a position to do so are forming groups with other parents to support each other in this new way of educating their children. It must be acknowledged that this isn’t an option for all, of course. Many families don’t have laptops or tablets. Some don’t even have internet access. Home education is perfectly possible without this technology, but while we’re all locked down and museums, art galleries, playgrounds and libraries are closed, it isn’t realistically feasible without significant resources already in the home.

A New Light on Learning

No matter the challenges, parents who may never have considered educating their child outside school are being forced into working out how they can help them at home. And where they would never have otherwise, some of these families are recognising the joy that home education can bring, seeing the possibilities for their children’s emotional and physical development, as well as the educational benefits.

Attitudes to Home Schooling in Spain

Where I am in Andalusia, Spain, home educating families are much less common than in the UK, and previously the attitude to it was fairly hostile amongst the local Spanish community. This is partly a hangover from Franco times, where education was used as a form of oppression rather than liberation; school is now often thought of as a human right for children that must be appreciated and therefore best taken in class. Children who are out in public before the normal school closing time of 2pm are often reported to the police, and social services can quickly become involved. And yet, in this short time since the pandemic broke (at the time of writing we’ve been in lockdown for nearly six weeks), the tide is definitely turning.

Learning in Lockdown

More and more parents are talking about how, despite the fear and limited physical space the lockdown has brought, their children are happier and less stressed. In Spain, children have not been able to pass the threshold of their homes for any reason other than a medical emergency during the entire lockdown period. Some parents are reporting that kids inside small flats, with no outside space, while finding the imprisoning very hard, are relaxing in other areas. They’re getting more sleep, and they’re feeling less pressure. That’s not to say that the lockdown isn’t causing severe mental and physical health problems, because it is, but there are clear upsides to the lack of school.

Parents who are working with their children on educational projects, whether supplied by the school or developed themselves, are experiencing the delight of learning with their kids, and seeing their kids’ love of learning come back again. The big question is whether this is likely to translate into more parents deciding that maybe there is another way. And how will this be supported by the community?

What will Post-Pandemic opinions be?

It remains to be seen whether the curtain twitchers will still twitch. And there’s no doubt that the majority of parents are desperately waiting for the schools to re-open, for myriad reasons, including those who adore the presence of their hijos and hijas but who simply don’t have the type of work which allows this to be an option. However, there are an interestingly high number of parents who are feeling like this experience is one that they’d like to continue.

There are many people posting on social media asking for support, and for experienced parents to share their knowledge. Both immigrant families to Spain (where school is an important part of Spanish immersion) and Spanish families are considering whether, come September, school will remain part of their lives. Comments on social media include, “This has made me a convert. I love it.” And “I am up for my little girl to learn in a similar way as we may have learnt. To ask many questions- to think for ourselves and not learn by solely memorising stuff.”

Some, however, have concerns about the practicalities. For instance, “I think something often missing from articles and the conversation around home schooling / classroom schooling is the disproportionate burden on mothers, who are usually the stay-home parent. Not being in school might be what’s optimal emotionally/creatively etc. for children, but if the parent who is 100% responsible for the physical emotional and educational needs of their children doesn’t have community support, they burn out. In Spain, that is a very real scenario.”

And undeniably, for some, this experience has put them off home education forever! “… I’m gonna kiss, hug and cry all over those teachers when the schools go back!”

We must all remember that this forced Covid-19 education at home is not the same as home schooling, and home schooling is mostly not done in the home! However, that said, this experience is perhaps the closest to home schooling that many parents in Spain (and I would imagine in many countries) have ever had, and it will be fascinating to see, over the next few months, how many decide to continue by choice what has been inflicted by circumstance.

All quotes are included with permission.

Distance learning is one of the most exciting developments in our age. My first real encounter with distance learning took place in 2013. I embarked on a four-year academic course which altered my future beyond what I could have imagined. Since completing my course I have developed a thirst for knowledge and discovered new strengths. I have increased my independence and became more confident at solving problems. Distance learning helped me to see the world via a fresh pair of eyes.

There are dozens of negative myths surrounding distance learning, however. I have cherry-picked some of the most common for those of you considering studying this way.

Myth 1 – Studying in Isolation

Although you might be studying on your own most of the time, you are far from being isolated. You most likely have an existing support network around you, including friends and family, parents and peers, mentors and tutors. Recognise the support you already have and don’t be afraid to ask for help. Studying independently means that you can better pace your learning. You can dig deeper into the subject areas that fascinate you most, whilst also possessing the option to slow down and spend more time on areas which you find particularly challenging. In this way you are able to deeply and richly engage with the study materials even in the comfort of your own home. Studying by yourself does not mean being isolated. Far from it.

Myth 2 – Weak Course Materials

Many people are concerned about the quality of distance learning course materials. Recent research, however, shows that many online courses are of equal or superior quality to conventional classroom courses. Teachers at leading distance learning schools spend hundreds of hours developing and tweaking learning materials. They frequently update and revise the courses to keep them up-to-date. They listen to students’ feedback and embed useful changes to the curriculum. Most distance learning courses need to be approved by rigorous quality assurance organisations.

Myth 3 – Inexperienced Tutors

Leading schools and colleges employ highly experienced, qualified and capable tutors. Potential tutors go through a meticulous screening process before being hired. The best schools closely examine the amount of relevant experience the tutor has, as well as their academic credentials and professional background.

Myth 4 – It is Impossible to Find the Right School

The key here is research. Find out how long the potential distance learning school has been operating and investigate online reviews. Research how much experience their tutors have, explore the school’s ethical approaches and try to arrange a conversation on the phone to see how helpful their student advisers are. If you carry out thorough research, you will find a great school.

My distance learning course opened up a new world to me. It led me to encounter inspiring academic ideas, new perspectives and exciting career options. It can do for you too.