DUO Inspirations Gives a Special Shout Out to Parents and Homeschoolers!

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Hi friends,

     How are you?  Last week, I gave a shout out to educators.  I know from experience that teachers put in more time, energy, and care into teaching their students than most people know.  This week, I am giving a shout out to parents and particularly homeschooling parents.  Many parents also put a great deal of time, energy, and care into educating their children. Some of them aren’t schooled or experienced in teaching.  Yet, love and circumstance prevails.  So, this week, I give a great big shout out to parents and particularly homeschooling parents!  You are doing great!  Keep up the great work!  I homeschooled for a while and value what you are doing!

     I know that many people don’t understand homeschoolers or why they choose to homeschool. However, parents choose to homeschool for many reasons.  Some parents choose to homeschool so their child will get more attention and experience educational things that a public or private school can’t provide.  Other parents may choose to homeschool because of their schedule, their child’s abilities or needs, for the joy of it, or for religious reasons.  

     Some people don’t take homeschoolers seriously.  Those who don’t homeschool may think that homeschoolers just stay home, skip school, and fool around all day.  Yet that isn’t the case.  (Yes, I am not so naïve that I don’t think there are some who do similar in the name of homeschooling.  However, that is not usually the case.)  

     Even if you don’t see a book, paper and pencil, or a computer anywhere in sight, doesn’t mean that homeschoolers aren’t teaching and learning.  Often homeschoolers do hands on activities, take nature walks, go to museums, or even have assignments in shopping and other daily living skills.  Yes, they learn most of the same skills as students in the public and private schools learn, yet most go above and beyond those skills.

     People may hear that homeschoolers don’t spend as much time during the day on schoolwork.  Sometimes, that is not always true, because often a homeschooler is learning no matter what he or she is doing.  Although, in all reality, it may be true for many days, because it just isn’t necessary. Things take longer to teach in a school setting, because you have many students for which to plan, to address, to quiet down, and to transition from one activity to another, and for which to care. When, you are trying to teach one, two, or even a few children, it doesn’t take nearly as long.

     When I homeschooled, there weren’t nearly as many resources as there are today for homeschoolers.  Today, there are online schools, online homeschooling groups, and local homeschooling groups, as well as educational materials, local classes, and other activities marketed with homeschoolers in mind.  DUO Inspirations even creates and sells educational resources and welcomes homeschoolers getting in touch to request specific materials to meet their needs.

     So, if you meet a homeschooler, instead of looking disdainfully and questioning what he or she may be doing, give an encouraging word.  Ask if there is anything he or she may need?

     It isn’t just homeschooling parents that I want to commend.  All parents who care about and put effort in encouraging a good education for his or her child should be commended.  Knowledge opens so many doors and is key to obtaining many things in life, sometimes in life itself.  All who encourage it and help their children learn in anyway possible is to be commended.  So, today, DUO Inspirations gives a great big shout out to homeschoolers and all parents who encourage and help their children learn.  Yay you!  Keep it up!

Now, it is your turn.
     Are you a homeschooler?  Are you a parent?  Are you an educator?  No matter who you are, I am interested in your thoughts.  Please, leave a comment below.
     If you are finding value in what I write, please share it with friends and family.  Also, if you haven't already, you may consider signing up to receive the Education Blog by DUO Inspirations and other educational content in your inbox.  If you have any requests, please feel free to contact me.  Thank you.

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