The number of public-school students who learn online has grown exponentially during the past decade.
What’s behind this surge in online students? A good rule of thumb we all know well is “follow the money.”
So I followed it and discovered that our government has contracted private businesses, such as K-12 (one founder of K-12 virtual schools is the ex-junk bond king, Michael Milken), to provide virtual learning programs for our children.
With massive amounts of advertising going into promoting virtual schools, parents are easily led into thinking virtual schools are the best way to homeschool.
Especially since the Covid days, the virtual world is now bustling with young children sitting in front of computers instead of next to classmates, in front of tangible teachers.
The Truth
The question we should ask is this: Is virtual learning the best way to homeschool?
There is ample evidence that virtual schools provide their students with a sub-par education.
Here’s 7 reasons to consider getting your kids offline ASAP.
1) Social Development
A lack of proper social development is a matter we should seriously think about. To develop excellent social skills, one must socialize. How can a computer child grow up to be a socially adept adult if he hasn’t had any practice?
He won’t.
It’s like confining a child to a playpen and expecting him to learn how to run.
Daniel Goleman first pointed out in the 1990s that emotional intelligence, which includes good social skills, is vitally important to a person’s ability to do well in life. There have been many, many studies since which have confirmed his findings.
Even if we had no studies, common sense should tell us this is true.
2) Screen Addiction
Another consideration is the idea that a child can study at a computer all day and grow up to be a strong reader. I’m sure there are exceptions to the rule, but don’t gamble on your child being one of them.
What we do every day becomes our habits, and our habits form who we are. There is no way to get around this reality.
Children who spend time in front of computers are at a far higher risk for developing video game and social media addictions later.
Reading books, developing their minds, and having healthy social lives is not something these kids are doing.
3) The Virtual Teacher
A good teacher will inspire a child to love the subject the teacher loves, a good teacher inspires a child, and a good teacher becomes a positive influence in a child’s life.
A computer screen with a teacher staring at your child from the other end is simply no replacement for the real thing.
4) Health Problems
Sitting in front of a computer all day causes health problems. Adults suffer all sorts of ailments; such as musculoskeletal injuries, headaches, poor vision, inability to focus, obesity, cardiovascular illnesses, and waning memories.
What about our children who are still developing their minds and bodies and in need of sufficient physical activity to develop well?
5. Myopia
Children who use the computer are at higher risk for developing myopia (nearsightedness), according to researchers. It was once uncommon to see a child wearing glasses but that’s no longer the situation.
The next time you go to your eye doctor, assuming he is over 50, ask him if he’s seen an increase in the number of children who wear glasses? I can tell you right now that he will say yes.
Myopia is now considered an urgent global health problem because it can lead to eye diseases at earlier ages, which, in turn, can lead to blindness.
Why would we put our kids at risk when it’s so unnecessary?
6. Musculoskeletal Health Problems
Posture is also a problem because sitting at the computer causes us to slouch forward and tilt our heads back, which can lead to bad posture, headaches, and muscle strain. As we age, these problems become chronic if not addressed in time.
We are now seeing the musculoskeletal problems of the elderly show up in younger people today. We don’t want these kind of health problems for your child!
7) Obesity
Childhood obesity has become a significant concern amongst pediatricians because of the physical and psychological health problems that accompany obesity, such as heart disease, musculoskeletal issues, and a lack of self-esteem.
The Alternative
Rather than using the virtual schools, why not homeschool our children with real books instead? Having done it, I can tell you that it is much easier than online learning and achieves far better results.
You may have the belief that you aren’t qualified to teach your child, but you already taught him how to walk, talk, get dressed, tie his shoe, and so forth.
When you are a homeschooling parent, instead of tying shoes, your child is learning math. It’s that simple. There is a false belief that only “accredited” teachers can teach, but there isn’t an idea on earth more ignorant than this.
Everyone one of us is a teacher; it’s something innate to being human. As a parent, you are always teaching your children whether you acknowledge it or not.
It’s a mindset, that’s all.
To homeschool, you will need a sound curriculum, you will need to understand how children learn, you will need to learn some teaching methods, you will need to manage your time well, but the actual teaching is not rocket science, and you can do it.
Here is a free download with ten facts about homeschooled kids to assure you. Knowing how well homeschooled kids do from being taught by parents like yourself is encouraging in and of itself.
Lastly, if you’re wondering how you’ll survive being with your child all day, remember this: his childhood will be over before you know it.
Instead of panicking about your loss of free time, focus on the great benefits your child will reap from being homeschooled and how much stronger your bond with your adult children will become.
I believe it was Raymond Moore who said that the earlier we institutionalize our children, the sooner they will institutionalize us!
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Elizabeth Y. Hanson is a homeschooling thought-leader and the founder of Smart Homeschooler.
As an Educator, Homeschool Emerita, Writer, and Love and Leadership Certified Parenting Coach, she has 21+ years of experience working in education.
Developing a comprehensive understanding of how to raise and educate a child, based on tradition and modern research, and she devotes her time to helping parents to get it right.
Elizabeth is available for one-on-one consultations as needed.
"I know Elizabeth Y. Hanson as a remarkably intelligent, highly sensitive woman with a moral nature and deep insight into differences between schooling and education. Elizabeth's mastery of current educational difficulties is a testimony to her comprehensive understanding of the competing worlds of schooling and education. She has a good heart and a good head. What more can I say?”
—John Taylor Gatto Distinguished educator, public speaker, and best-selling author of Dumbing Us Down: The Hidden Curriculum of Compulsory Schooling
