Home schooling: myths and facts

MYTH 1 - Very few people home school their children.
More than 7500 children are currently being home schooled in New Zealand.
MYTH 2 - My child won't be able to socialise properly.
While students in the conventional school environment are limited to a narrow age range, home schooling exposes children to wider and broader range of relationships. Interacting with parents, family members, neighbours, friends and people in the community, enables home school children to learn to relate to all ages and genders.
MYTH 3 - My child will not learn as well as at school.
The school system is designed to cater for large groups of same age children. Home schooling allows you to ensure  your children are learning through personal attention, individualised programming and access to a variety of learning strategies that best fit your family.
MYTH 4 - My kids will just sit at home all day watching TV.
Carefully managed and motivated children, along with a structured yet flexible programme, will always keep them gainfully occupied, while allowing time and opportunity to explore the unique gifts and talents of each child.
MYTH 5 - I am not qualified to teach my children.
The vast range of curricula and resources now available to parents along with the support of Home Schooling New Zealand makes home schooling easy.
MYTH 6 - My children will not have access to extra-curricula activities.
Most home schooling children are able to join local sport clubs and will often be invited to play for the local school teams. Home school support groups also provide many opportunities for group activities.

MYTH 7 - My child will not be prepared for university or higher levels of education.
Home schooling children are sought after by many universities and tertiary institutions because of their work ethic and high levels of achievement. 
MYTH 8 - Home school families are religious nutters.
Many people home school because of their strong Christian beliefs but more and more families are doing so for philosophical and practical reasons. Most home schooling parents are intelligent, well-educated and employed professionals.
MYTH 9 - Home schooling is expensive.
While home schooling families are dependent on a single income the actual cost of home schooling, especially with the home schooling allowance, makes home schooling quite affordable. Parents still pay  fees and costs at state schools. In many cases, home schooling is  more cost effective than sending a child to a local school.
MYTH 10 - All home schooling services are the same.
Each home school agency has a unique or particular strength. A choice of home schooling agencies ensure  each family finds a practical solution to their family's needs.
- Sourced from  www.homeschoolingnz.org