Misconceptions About Home Education Part 1

This topic is very important! If you are new to home education and researching into it then this is for you.

Many parents are opting for home education either from the beginning or once they’re already in school. There are more home educated children now than before and it seems to be increasing. Unfortunately, there is an agenda being pushed out there in schools and the indoctrination is damaging. It is not just Muslims who want or are homeschooling , it’s a lot of parents.

The first misconception I want to mention is about the hours you need to do when home educating. When your child is very young they only need to do basic things within a day or week depending on your goals. For example, this is what a typical day could look like for a 5 year old.

• Start the day with Qur’an

• Do some Arabic words either writing or verbally learning

• 20 minutes of some numbers activities

• 10 minutes of reading age appropriate books/materials

• 10 minutes practicing handwriting

• Painting

And of course with lots of breaks for snacks and play! This example however is too much for some children/parents. There are no rules with home education except that you give them some form of education which becomes a bit structured as they get older. Of course if you want them to get qualifications then you would focus on those secular subjects as they get older and then even perhaps get tutors if they need it. They do not need to follow the national curriculum or any specific curriculum.

Another misconception is that they need to sit at a table and do all these worksheets and activities from 9am to 3pm. One of the advantages of home education is that you can choose the times and days and location! Yes, location! You can take their education with you wherever you go. It is not necessary to always have pens and paper. Teaching them about the weather or plants outside is a part of home education. One of the biggest misconception is that we don’t realise that homeschooling is just an extension of parenting.

Look out for part 2!