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Homeschooling: Have you Considered it for your Children?

© A Abdullah

Many Muslims living in the West choose to homeschool their children as a means of preserving religious and cultural values and of minimizing any negative influences that the prevailing culture around them may have upon their childrens' lives. Provided that certain guidelines are followed, homeschooling is perfectly legal in the US and would not prevent a child from entering the university.

The first thing you should know about homeschooling is that one need not be a genius in order to do it. Many parents worry about their own educational backrounds and ability to teach while also wondering where they would find an extra six hours each day to devote to their childrens' educational needs. This is because they believe that the classroom setting must be strictly duplicated in the home in order for homeschooling to be effective.

The fact is, however, that homeschooling can be much more flexible than conventional schooling with regards to time and structure, and parents need not act like "teachers" in the traditional sense, but more like guides who can direct their children to the proper resources when questions come up. In this method of homeschooling, children are generally responsible for teaching themselves while parents stimulate them to do so in a manner which cultivates a genuine love of learning, resulting in a solid foundation for a lifetime of confidence and broad-mindedness.

Learning is an intuitive ability with which all human beings are equipped, and it is especially keen in young people. If you have children, you have been teaching them since they were born (to talk, to eat, to clean themselves, etc.), but did you also notice how much they really teach themselves, doing endless experiments until they finally achieve the results they desire? Children are masters of learning through observation and pick up many of their habits and skills simply by living life and being attuned to the people and world around them.

Teaching is also an intuitive process. Perhaps you've taught your child to plant a flower or to ride a bike. You did this quite naturally without the assistance of books, schools or professional educators. You did not stand at a blackboard drawing diagrams while your child sat at a desk. Instead, you interacted with him on a personal level and simply showed him what needed to be done. And he will likely never forget what you have taught him.

It may be difficult to believe at first, but the hard-core academic subjects can be taught and learned in the same easy-going manner. And the Internet abounds with advice and resources related to this concept.

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