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Considering Home Education? One Size Does Not Fit All

By Melissa Barreto

Whatever your reasons are for wanting to home educate, you may be wondering what it can look like. Here are just few of the variations:

  • I know homeschoolers who dedicate learning spaces in their homes;
  • and tons more who learn wherever the family happens to be gathered. 
  • I know homeschoolers who educate using lots of structured curricula;
  • and many who don’t follow a curriculum at all. 
  • I know homeschoolers who believe homeschooling only counts when it happens inside the home, within the subjects and schedule that their state dictates;
  • and others who wholeheartedly believe in home education as a lifestyle and learning as something that happens all the time, in every place, regardless of whether the state has an established standard for it. 
  • I even know homeschoolers whose homeschool is actually an RV and they travel around the U.S., learning on-the-go. 

Long story short: your homeschool can look like whatever works for your family. Let Writer Melissa Barreto help you consider whether homeschooling is right for you, including starting with the right intentions.

 

 Parenting Tip

Muslim parents throughout the U.S. and Canada are reexamining considerations for their children’s education. It is important to take an inventory to decide what is best for your family and what options are available in your local area. Homeschooling may be a viable consideration.

 

Exploring Homeschooling Styles

By Melissa Barreto

For homeschoolers, decisions abound! For some parents, getting to make these choices feels freeing as you curate an education that aligns with your family’s values and style of learning. For other families, the sheer amount of choices feels overwhelming and adds stress. Read more about six different homeschooling styles you can choose from.

 

Inspiration

“Educating a child is a natural process. Homeschooling is nothing more than an extension of parenting.”

– John Taylor Gatto, American author and veteran school teacher

 

Examining Schooling Options for Muslim Children

By Wendy Díaz

If you are a parent of school-aged children or toddlers approaching the age requirement to begin formal education, then you may be thinking about the best options for you and your family. Depending on where you currently reside in the Western world, you might be contemplating private school, public school, or homeschooling. Where you stand on the issue of education depends on a number of factors – socioeconomic status, area of residence, family dynamics, religion, and more. There is no one size fits all when it comes to how we raise or educate our children. Writer Wendy Díaz examines a number of schooling options for Muslim children and what she learned from trying each and every one.

 

Islamic Guidance

In an authentic hadith, Aisha, the Mother of the Believers, may Allah be pleased with her, narrated: 

“Whenever Allah's Messenger, peace and blessings be upon him, was given the choice of one of two matters, he would choose the easier of the two, as long as it was not sinful to do so, but if it was sinful to do so, he would not approach it.…” 

(Bukhari)

 

Deschooling: What Parents Need to Do to Transition into Homeschooling

​​By Sumayyah Khan

Seriously thinking of homeschooling your children? Great! But wait, there is something we parents must do before we begin educating at home. Deschooling yourself – the parent – is a very important process to help you move away from the school mindset when it comes to home education. Deschooling yourself means to let go of your recollection of school and what learning looks like within a school setting. Read more about how our traditional images of “school” can get in the way of homeschooling if those memories dictate to you how learning from home should be.

 

Is Homeschooling the Right Choice for My Child with a Disability?

​​By Miriam Mohamed

An advantage of homeschooling is that students can progress according to their own temperament and timetable. But can this non-traditional method be an option for a child with a disability? There are many factors to consider. Learn more from author Miriam Mohamed about the layers of resources that need to be considered and about how her family made their decision to opt for public education for their son Noah.

 

Interesting Statistics

Here are some interesting facts about homeschooling the in the U.S.

  • The National Home Education Research Institute reports taxpayers spend an average of $16,446 per pupil annually in public schools, plus capital expenditures (National Education Association, 2023). The roughly 3.1 million homeschool students of 2021-22 represented a savings of over $51 billion for taxpayers. 
  • Families engaged in home-based education are not dependent on public, tax-funded resources for their children’s education. While taxpayers spend nothing on the vast majority of homeschool students,  homeschool families spend an average of $600 per student annually for their education.
  • Homeschooling is quickly growing in popularity among minorities. About 41% of homeschool families are non-white/non-Hispanic.
  • The Institute's data also shows that from late March to early May of 2022, 5.22% of all school-age children were homeschooled.
  • Research published by the Urban Institute suggests a surge in homeschooling of late, with a 30% increase between the 2019-20 and 2021-22 school years. 

For more details about these statistics, see https://www.nheri.org/research-facts-on-homeschooling/

 

Online Resources

Muslim Homeschoolers - This is a nice article by Ayesha Siddiqui about why their family chose homeschooling and what a typical day might look like.

Our Muslim Homeschool Website - Dr. Gemma Elizabeth has compiled an enormous number of resources to assist Muslim homeschooling families.

Is a Homeschool Co-op Right for You? - Homeschool Co-ops have a lot to offer for children of all ages. This article can help you figure out if it is a good fit for your family.

Crafting Your New Homeschool Schedule - Crafting a daily schedule can be daunting for new homeschool families. Get some great tips from a seasoned homeschooler in this article.

Practices that Can Be Thieves of Homeschooling Joy - This article provides a great reminder and helpful tips to ensure that your homeschooling efforts are also rewarding for all involved.

Emphasize Connection Over Curriculum - Content is not the only thing to consider when homeschooling. Larger than that is the opportunity the time will give you to connect with your children.

 

Adam's World Videos: Adam Learns Responsibility

Adam takes an opportunity to remind Aneesah about the importance of being responsible to our communities and the planet. The Arabic letter "haa" for Hajj and the English letter "R" for responsibility are features. A nasheed by Dawud Wharnsby called Take Responsibility is a nice addition. (6:48)

 
 

The Sound Vision Foundation has been a trusted source of Islamic knowledge for more than 30 years. Our work with the world-renowned puppets Adam and Aneesah pioneered creative programming for Muslim children, encouraging them to learn about and love their religion. We continue to bring sound content and engaging programs that stimulate minds, touch hearts, and strive to fulfill our mission of raising better Muslims, better neighbors, and better citizens. This latest effort is designed to support and empower Muslim parents to do the same.

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