The Covid crisis led to an awakening of parents to the curriculum being taught in our public schools. Many parents became dissatisfied with the content and presentation of online lessons. That led them to an examination of alternatives.

Of course in America there are many options to educating our children. There are public schools, private schools, charter schools, Montessori schools and, of course, the option of home schooling. There are advocates of both home schooling and public schooling. Those of us who don’t home school, which is still the majority of Americans, need to fully understand the reasons why people choose to home school their children.

Religious or Philosophical Convictions:
Religion is not permitted in the public schools. Many families feel that religion needs to be a larger part of their child’s education than that which the public schools allow.
People who have deep religious beliefs show great passion. These are the individuals who are passionate about their children’s education and feel that only they are able to teach them to the best of their ability and the content that they feel they should be learning. The home schooling parent is in charge, they call the shots and they like it that way.

Socialization:
Some people that don’t understand home schooling believe that it is confining rather than socializing. But those individuals that believe that are stuck in thinking about the stereotypical socialization of an age-based classroom. Children that are home schooled are exposed to social situations in a mixed age range. They have “age-mates” instead of “class-mates”.
Many home schoolers feel that their children need to be exposed to the appropriate ways to behave not inappropriate. They feel that their child should be exposed to the model behavior of people who have learned to make decisions and handle themselves in various social settings. By being exposed to appropriate modeling of social behavior, home-schooled children will learn how to act appropriately.
Parents of home schooled children can also see when their child “gets-it” when they model for a younger child appropriate behavior.
Home-schooled children get a reality based social lesson. On a daily basis they see adults they know, love and trust manage and balance life day to day. Modeled for them is academics balanced with real life chores; caring for a sick friend or neighbor, shoveling the driveway and walkway, doing the grocery shopping and dropping of the dry cleaning, cooking dinner while folding laundry, putting laundry away and talking on the phone with Aunt Sara. These are real life situations that home schoolers are exposed to and public school children are often sheltered from or are privy to a controlled school environment.

Academics:
Home schoolers have several advantages over publicly schooled children. The curriculum is designed specifically for them – not for children their age and what children at a particular age are expected to know and learn. Public schools differentiate instruction the best they can. However, a home-schooled child has a curriculum tailored to their needs. They may read at a 4th grade level, spell at a 3rd grade level and complete math at a 6th grade level.
A home-schooled child is neither rushed nor not given enough time. There are no other children to “keep busy” so they are free to work at their pace and move as quickly or as slowly as need be.
Much research has been done on how children learn best. A home-schooled child is not only taught by the person who knows them best in the entire world but also since they are the only student, the learning style never has to be varied. If a student learns best through music, then the curriculum of a home-schooled child can be tailored to meet their needs so they will be more successful.

Home-schooled children get to spend more quality time as a family. They are not trapped in a traditional school setting for 6 hours a day but are free to spend quality time as a family every day.
It is said that parents are a child’s first teacher. Families that home school want to continue to be their child’s teacher because they feel that their children need the guidance of their family and God and not the guidance of someone hired to do a job that is naturally theirs from the day their child was born.

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I Can Try Again: An Inspiring Story for Kids About Perseverance, Grit, and Learning From Mistakes for Ages 4–8 (I Can Books Book 6)

Written and illustrated by Alicia Ortego

Another picture book in this charming series about Mia and life lessons.

The lesson in this book for early elementary readers is that perseverance pays off. Once again, Mia has her mother’s support. Mia realizes that we can learn from our mistakes and use them as stepping stones, practicing in small steps until the goal of mastery is achieved. Whether the goal is learning how to jump rope or mastering the sequence of steps in a dance, Mia discovers the importance of patience and perseverance. She comes to understand the true value of resilience.

This book also contains interactive activities and thoughtful questions that encourage readers to apply the valuable lessons Mia shares in their own lives.

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Fingerprints: A Children’s Picture Book About Diversity, Respect, and Inclusion (Diversity & Inclusion Series)

Written and illustrated by Carmen Parets Luque

A unique picture book that teaches children that our differences are our most valuable asset.

Many of the illustrations feature fingerprint characters. Every person has a unique fingerprint. The world’s people are of different ages, colors, and skin colors. We speak different languages, dress differently, and live in different types of habitats. Our ability to learn in different ways and demonstrate talents in unique areas leads us to appreciate diversity.

This book is a wonderful way to teach acceptance and the need to use our differences to build a stronger world together.

Recommended for preschool and primary grade readers.

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When the Stars Linger: A Soothing Children’s Bedtime Story About Love, Belonging, and Peaceful Sleep

Written and illustrated by Peggy Kan Hai

The perfect bedtime story to calm, soothe, and prepare children for a reassuring night’s sleep. Each page contains a short rhyming text, beautiful, animated images, and a message to reassure young, active minds.

This book is a feast for the eyes and the mind. The words and images flow together seamlessly. Adults will find reading it a joy and comfort as well. Its message is timeless.

An excellent choice for teachers, parents, and librarians. One of those rare books you will want to open and read over and over.

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Penny the Pelican Plans Ahead: A Tale of Saving Smart

Written and illustrated by Alexandra Bono

I loved this lovely, illustrated rhyming book that offers children wonderful life lessons.

Penny the Pelican is thrilled to learn that her mother is expecting. She decides to plan by thinking not only about today’s needs, but also about saving and investing for the future. So Penny gathers resources in three piles.

The illustrations are large and appealing, the alliterative rhymes crisp and sharp. Lessons include kindness, family love, goal setting, and financial literacy

I highly recommend this fun read-aloud for children ages three and older.

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Mission Inclusion: Margo And You (Mission: Inclusion Book 1)

Written by Megan Craft

Illustrated by Angelus Albarran

A wonderful book that explains to young children how we are more the same than different.

Margo is a young girl with a feeding tube. While she enjoys eating and playing like “normal” children, Margo may do these things differently from the average child.

I liked the fact that the author, who is a speech therapist, includes interactive questions throughout the story for readers to answer. We need more books to explore children with different types of disabilities and how they share a lot more in common with the general population than differences.

Highly recommended for parents and teachers to educate and encourage tolerance for special needs children.

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Kindness is Stronger | Tales of Triumph for Little Champions: A Girl With a Powerful Imagination Who Defeats a Bully With Kindness | Story for Kids about Self-Control, Inner Strength and Compassion

Written and Illustrated by Umme MAK

This book is part of a series to teach children about themselves.

Kadijah is a child who possesses a powerful imagination. She illustrates wonderful stories. Mike is the class bully. He uses his size and strength to control the other children.

One day, Kadijah is confronted by Mike while drawing in her notebook. She is upset but unafraid. Kadijah decides rather than cower, she will find a way to change Mike’s behavior with kindness. For a time, she is unsuccessful. Gradually, Kadijah teaches Mike how to understand his actions and find the strength to change his behavior.

The author uses large print for easier reading, but also a chapter format that allows children to imagine they are experienced readers. Bonus features include coloring pages and bookmarks.

A worthwhile series to educate and inspire students in the primary grades.

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But Gertie Garza, You’re a Girl! 

Written by Melanie Mathis

Illustrated by Karissa Miller Laffey

Gertie is a young lady who refuses to be told that being a girl limits her choices.

This book is written in catchy rhymes. The vocabulary is fun and challenging. The author includes alliteration and analogies.

When peers warn Gertie that her choices are limited because of her sex, she pushes back. Why can’t she be a lion tamer if she works hard to succeed? That message is reinforced by her grandmother, who lives in the home with Gertie. Grandma has lived an exciting life full of adventures, such as hiking and hot air balloon rides. She encourages Gertie to aspire to her dreams.

This book inspires young girls to place no boundaries on possibilities. Parents and teachers should put this one on home and school bookshelves.

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Written by Leticia Ordaz and Bronx Baeza

Illustrated by Juan Calle

A delightful picture book based on a true story. It teaches children to confront bullies and stand up for their beliefs. In addition, the protagonist reveals the weakness within most bullies.

Max, the protagonist, is a second-grader who is small in stature but tall in courage. He is tired of Grulo bullying everyone in his class. One day, Bronx’s brother, Maxton, reminds him to believe in himself. It takes Bronx a while to get up his courage. Can he use the power of kindness to change Grulo’s behavior?

This multicultural book has a comic book feel in its illustrations. The bilingual text displays English and Spanish text side by side. That makes this book an excellent choice for bilingual or ESL classrooms. There are suggestions for readers to apply its lessons as well as powerful affirmations.

I highly recommend the book for elementary and middle-grade classrooms.

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24 + 1 Christmas Tales – Butterfly Adventures in Santa’s Secret City

Written by Alexander Ruth

Translated by Maxine White

The book contains very short magical tales that take place in Santa’s village. Butterflies and a Phoenix are introduced as Santa’s helpers.

At some points, the stories may be confusing. The vocabulary can be difficult for beginning readers. This may be the result of translation from German. I would suggest using the book as a countdown to Christmas, perhaps a parent reading one story before bedtime each evening.

They are definitely unique. Recommended especially for children ages six through ten.

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