I am a special education teacher and I have three children. My eldest daughter goes to a non-traditional school. My two younger children are being homeschooled using a regular Catholic curriculum.
Homeschooling is a relatively new idea of educating children in the Philippines. There were those who scoffed at our decision to home school. The first questions we encountered were: “What about socialization?” “What about building friendships?” “It is not all about learning the academics, you know.”
Yes, I know.
Primary reason why we decided to homeschool my son Julian is because he gets easily tired and is prone to asthma attacks. For him to not miss out on learning opportunities, we decided to homeschool him until he gets stronger. He loved homeschooling so we decided to have him enrolled again this school year, along with his younger sister, Tania.
So, what are the different issues that may come up in the years that a child experiences when he/she goes through the process of being educated?
Stress. Stress comes early in the lives of school-aged children. Exams, quizzes, projects, getting up early to catch the school bus are just some of the stresses that they encounter. What about bullying? Not being to understand what the lessons are all about because the teacher talk fast? What about stress from their parents to study better because their education is expensive? There are so many different stresses that they have to go through. At an early age.
Home schooling is not that stressful when proper preparation and mindset are both done. Sure, it can be stressful too, especially if the parents-teachers are tired and not feeling well or the children do not readily comply. Otherwise, it is a wonderful learning experience for both the children and their parents.
No need to wake up early to catch the bus or avoid traffic. No need to panic when a project due today was forgotten at home. No need to panic when the child got sick or hurt at school.
Learning Style. Children have different learning styles. Adults do too. Traditionally, schools espouse the logical and linguistic intelligence, mainly reading, writing and math, in a sit-down-and-listen-to-the-teacher setting. Meaning the children most of the time sit down and listen to the teacher talking about concepts, explaining how things are and how things work. There is interaction during class, but mostly minimal, during oral recitation, otherwise, those who will ask a question during discussions are seen as distracting the learning process.
Home schooling is never boring. Games can be played, videos can be watched, the web can be surfed, different books can be read and the environment can be explored to make learning happen.
What about the four basic mathematical operations? There are many ways to teach these concepts, not just doing paper and pencil activities.
For example, if your child can not understand skip counting, have the child literally skip over the numbers you taped on the floor, for him/her to understand how it is done. It is not just the memorization of the number sequences, it is about knowing how these facts can be learned and that there are different ways to learn.
Fun. Learning is fun. Learning should be fun. It does not just entail memorizing facts and definitions. It entails understanding these facts and definitions and putting these to good use.
Does your child say he/she is bored in school? Does he/she complain that he/she could not understand the lessons? Do you have to teach him/her the concepts that should have been learned and understood in school when he/she gets home? Does he/she need to go to a tutor to learn these concepts further? Why? Learning should happen in school and if you answered “yes” to these questions, perhaps it is time to rethink, re-evaluate your child’s learning style and the school’s teaching methods if these match.
Adjustments. Lessons in school can not be adjusted to suit the learning needs of the children. That doesn’t happen because the school has a strict curriculum schedule to follow to be able to teach the concepts they have in their curriculum, regardless of the fact if the children learn these concepts or not.
In my eldest child’s school, the teachers are able to make adjustments in their lessons to give the children time to better understand what the lessons are all about. We used to see a class sitting on the grass under a tree studying about plants. Seriously.
Homeschooling lessons can be adjusted. There were several times that I had to cancel lessons because I needed to do something first.
Before I discussed Historical Places in the Philippines lessons, our family had to go to some of these places for the children to understand and appreciate what the books are saying. We even walked the way where Jose Rizal, the national hero, walked before he was executed.
Last weekend we went to a nature trip and pointed and named mountains, mountain ranges, bay, plains, and identified some flora on the way. A lecture about appreciating nature was also included. These were for the Landforms lessons.
Go, grow and glow foods? Fruits and vegetables? Go to the market or the supermarket and take note of these foods. Take photos if these are allowed so that you can look over these when you get home.
These are just a few ways to make learning fun.
Mastery. Mastery of learning the concepts is important. How many times have parents complained that the lessons seems to be being hurried? That there is no mastery of the concepts? That the schedule of having these concepts tackled plus the schedule of required quizzes and tests be on time? Why do we need tutors? Why do we need to re-teach the concepts at home?
Remember this: Learning does not just happen in the classroom.
to be continued…
11:46 am on September 9th, 2008
Hi Julie, I agree with this post, obvious naman di ba. When I see my kids especially Pio and Gabbie havin’ a hard time to wake up early in the morning, eat their breakfast and do lots of homeworks plus study for exams, I pity them. I see them so stressed out. Maybe that’s why they’re having their asthma attacks more often now. I was thinking did I do the right thing when I send Pio back to regular school…If only I have the time, I would really like to home school all my kids. Socialization would not be a problem with them since we always go out and meet people and do activities with them.
9:34 am on September 10th, 2008
I have yet to fully grasp homeschooling. Looking at it, or reading articles about homeschooling, aside from time, tons of patience and understanding is needed from both mother and child. Come to think of it, if a working mother like me can help run a company, why not give the same passion, same energy or even more to your child? Just a thought playing on my mind.
7:11 pm on September 10th, 2008
I am really seriously considering homeschooling my V. The only reason why we are so stressed is due to the pressure exerted by the school. I think we both can handle homeschooling. And, ahem, i think I can be a good teacher.
I’ve been selling the idea to husband. So far, all my ideas he’d eventually buy. But always, there is initial resistance. Hmm, I hope he buys the homeschooling idea.
7:12 pm on September 10th, 2008
@Lynn, exactly! If parents were as passionate in parenting their kids as they are with their jobs, it will be a much better world.
8:50 pm on September 12th, 2008
Wenchie, I know how you feel and I can certainly sympathize with you when the kids get sick because of stress. Stress, including school-related ones cause asthma attacks too, especially when they are not well rested and have been sleeping less and been very tired.
9:07 pm on September 12th, 2008
Lynn, I agree with you on that one. Re patience, time and understanding, this is true too for it is difficult to teach one’s child because we tend to have higher expectations, or maybe its just me, having a hard time separating my role as a teacher and as a teacher/mom.
It has its advantages, and disadvantages too. I can say that homeschooling is definitely not for everyone.
9:10 pm on September 12th, 2008
iMom, I think V will thrive in a school but not in the present school setting where she is pressured. Your V I think thrives in interpersonal relationship and she also has to learn some subtle language skills like dealing with the kid who always borrow pencils from her and the class bully.
9:38 am on September 13th, 2008
I totally agree with you, Julie. She is too nice that she doesn’t know how to say NO properly - without feeling bad, or without bringing out the not-so-nice in her. You know what I mean?
And yes, she needs to study in a more relaxed school. Exactly! She thrives in interpersonal relationships.
Anyway, husband and I are talking about it. At least he is now convinced JCA is not the school for her. SO now the scouting begins. Thanks for your input, julie
7:01 am on September 18th, 2008
[...] is the part 2 of the Homeschooling in the Philippines post. Socialization. This is one of the foremost questions that people ask to families who decided to go [...]
11:39 pm on September 30th, 2008
[...] *TeacherJulie gives us a sneak peek into the perks of homeschooling. [...]
5:06 pm on October 6th, 2008
I am thinking of having my daughter homeschooled. I would like her to receive education in both english and tagalog. I know there are courses in Tagalog for home study. I am not asking about that, but is there a homeschool study materials that have materials in english AND materials in Tagalog so that you can teach your child math in englich and math in tagalog or history in english and history in tagalog. The same materials but each in english and tagalog?
3:16 pm on October 7th, 2008
Hi, Julie.
I actually read this post after the “part 2″ one, as I was doing my regular search on “homeschooling in the Philippines” on Google. (The other article came up first for some reason.)
Thank you for articulating homeschooling so poignantly and directly. I am so thankful for parents like you who have grasped the concept behind the mystery that is homeschool.
In my day (when I myself was a homeschooled student), we were left to the mercy of opinions and raised eyebrows, as there weren’t many resources or stores of info about homeschooling. We were pretty much alone. I give credit to my mom for being very patient and nurturing that whole time. We were pretty much “eclectic” in that we mixed home study (academics) with involvements in the church, our community, and travel. Imagine, I actually SAW the places I was reading about in history during a pilgrimage and World Youth Day in France, I actually put into practice what I was learning in English by doing freelance writing for a magazine.
The learning experiences are ENDLESS as a homeschooler. It is only what we confine ourselves to - the dictates of society, social pressure, the disdain of our traditional school advocates - that limit our learning through life.
I am a homeschooler. I am a lifelong learner. In our changing world, even educational means need to adapt. And in the home, with the support and backing of the family, the opportunity to learn and advance with the ever-changing world has great potential.
7:58 pm on October 7th, 2008
hi… ur a sped teacher ryt? can i have ur contact no. or contact me thru email? i am currently doing my undergrad thesis and it is all about sped teachers. hope to hear from u soon.. =)
3:10 pm on October 10th, 2008
“Come to think of it, if a working mother like me can help run a company, why not give the same passion, same energy or even more to your child?” -Lynn
– you have a POINT there!
“And, ahem, i think I can be a good teacher.” -IMom
– honestly, I know I am way more competent than most teachers out there (hehe yabang no). That’s because some of my highschool teachers were not good enough. Sorry ha, ang yabang ko, but it’s true. And even if they are competent, what about their attitudes?
“And in the home, with the support and backing of the family, the opportunity to learn and advance with the ever-changing world has great potential.” -Martine
– I believe the reason a lot of kids grow irresponsible is because the basic values are not taught by the parents themselves. They pay too much for tuition that they think everything should be taught by schools. I prefer my son to learn, especially about sensitive topics, from me rather than get out-of-this-world ideas from people who do not have compassion for my child. Your mother is really brave, Martine, for not giving in to the pressures of society.
It’s also sad to note that a lot of money-making business is being done by the schools themselves - overpriced parties, field trips and programs, required uniforms with patches, notebooks with logos - oh my, the list is endless. There was even an electricity fee in one school! Hello?!
I think I’m a homeschool fanatic even if I haven’t started yet, hehe!
8:49 am on October 12th, 2008
Wenchie, there comes a time when the children have to go out and meet the challenges on their own with us on the background.
We are already plotting a plan and prepping them up in the eventuality that they will go to school. At least, we know, that they are more prepared to as I have said, face the challenges.
8:55 am on October 12th, 2008
Lynn, you are so right. Parents devote their time and energy and their talents in doing their jobs. Yes, they reap the financial and emotional rewards but what could be more rewarding when these too are directed to the children in shaping them, and teaching them about life’s lessons.
9:00 am on October 12th, 2008
Billy, our homes school service provider uses local textbooks. Our Sibika and Filipino subjects are in Filipino while the other subjects are in English. Of course, for easier understanding of terms especially in Sibika, we use some English terms.
If you are interested I can refer you to you home school service provider.
Thank you.
9:09 am on October 12th, 2008
Martine, so true.
I bring my children with me to work so they do not lack social interaction (although this is not a daily routine). They also get to do things that regular students do not do. The topics in their lessons are a part of our discussions. Subtraction lessons are learned when buying a cup of taho. Plant concepts are explained in the garden. Fruit and vegetable names are discussed in the supermarket. Conversational skills are practiced by ordering food from service crew.
The list is endless and limitless.
Spoken by one who has been home schooled, thank you very much for the input. God bless you
9:12 am on October 12th, 2008
Lisaflor, reading and learning about home schooling at this early stage is one step in being a better mother. You may decide to send Lex to a regular school in the end but knowing what you can do to teach him better, to help him better and to develop his potentials will be a great help to you.
Thank you
9:28 am on October 12th, 2008
Dear Filipino Mom,
I would love for you to refer me to your home school services provider.
And please, my daughter is growing up quickly so bilisan mo
Warmly,
Billy Sanmo
10:40 am on November 14th, 2008
Hi T. Julie,
I am homeschooling my daughter Yona for the reason that we are new in the place and we cannot find a good school in the area. There was no initial hesitance in hubby’s part when I told him that I was serious in homeschooling our daughter so I am taking this seriously. I can’t imagine cutting my daughter’s sleep so she won’t be left off by the school service!
7:55 pm on November 18th, 2008
Iris, I have been to your blog and I enjoyed browsing your posts. Its good that you are teaching your daughter Yona the different songs in Filipino. It is also good that you have a group where she can have her socialization skills. Does she still go there?
I wish you the best in your homeschooling endeavor