People often ask about the cost of homeschooling a child. It can range from a few hundred dollars per year, if you use the public library and resources on the Internet, to thousands of dollars if you purchase a packaged curriculum. There are a range of options in between, such as purchasing workbooks to cover a certain subject or to add to the child's learning. You can also utilize programs at museums, art galleries and other public places. While this can cost money, many places will offer deals to groups of homeschooled students, just as they would for public school groups.
When homeschooling their children, some people worry that they will not have the opportunity to make friends and get the social experience that they would if they went to school. But this does not have to be the case. Many children in public school have difficulty making friends, are bullied, and never learn the social skills that school supposedly teaches. Some families who homeschool join local homeschooling groups, which can easily be found on the Internet. From there, they can arrange to get together so the children can play and have friends just as they might at school.
Some people worry that their children will not get an adequate education at home. If you follow a curriculum, your children could be learning virtually the same things as the public school students where you live. Once your children are in high school, sometimes tutors are necessary to teach the appropriate skills. Homeschool families often get together and hire a tutor for a few students to reduce the costs and increase the social aspect of their child's education. You can also purchase advanced textbooks, as well as equipment required for lab experiments.
It's important for homeschooled children to be involved in extracurricular activities, and there are many opportunities for that. Most communities offer a variety of sports, as well as music, art and dance courses. The disadvantage of doing these activities outside the school system is that you have to pay for them. Older children can get leadership skills by volunteering with local organizations or becoming active in their church or Scout troop. Some states also allow children to attend school part time and join the extracurricular activities offered at the school, although they may have to pay extra fees.