Travel Homeschooling: Learning to Transcend Boundaries and Limitations
Travel homeschooling can go beyond the limitations of geographic location and rigid school routines.
Travel often ends up teaching people more about culture and geography than any book or video ever could. Experiencing different languages, people, and traditions allows one to truly take a deeper look into the rich tapestry that permeates just about every corner of this planet we hold so dear.
Traveling not only allows us to disconnect from the hum of routine and everyday life but also facilitates the broadening of our psychological horizons and opens our consciousness to newer possibilities. That being said, homeschooling has now become widely popular among a large portion of the population, with several parents opting to allow their children the freedom to learn within the comfort of their own environment while also dedicating more time to practical education and observational learning.
More recently, an amalgamated approach to this educational setup has been gaining steam, and travel homeschooling has become a highly popular choice among parents who have a rather nomadic lifestyle.
Allowing for both education as well as a healthy amount of exploration, travel homeschooling has brought forth the benefits of early socialization with different cultures and also presents unique benefits that are bound to shape a child’s future. While it does come with its limitations, it has progressively become a viable option for several parents who travel frequently but are just as committed to their child’s academic progress.
Whether you’re on a job that takes you to different places all the time or just someone who loves the thrill of setting out on a new journey, travel homeschooling might just be the ideal option for your child. The forthcoming sections look at various aspects of the novel educational method and the advantages to be had.
Understanding Travel Homeschooling
The most striking feature of travel homeschooling is that it allows parents to utilize the world and the innumerable experiences it has to offer as a classroom. Essentially, breaking down the separations wrought by a traditional school or even a household, travel homeschooling, or roadschooling—as it’s often called—helps both parents and children interact with academic material and their surroundings more holistically.
Besides the excitement of discovering new locales, it enables children to learn from firsthand experiences instead of merely relying on books or other forms of media. Consistently on the move, parents have the opportunity to help their children explore anywhere from ancient ruins to rich biosphere reserves, allowing them to learn better and truly experience their scholastic potential.
Studies have shown that first-hand experiences provide better learning potential and prove to be better than traditional educational practices. Often, there’s a disparity between understanding theoretical concepts and their real-world applications and phenomena. With travel homeschooling, both parents and students have opportunities to bridge this gap and learn more effectively.
Besides the immersiveness of visiting new places and witnessing new cultures, travel homeschooling also brings flexibility and allows more time for children to bond with their families as well as the people they meet on their trips. Not only does this have a major impact on their social and psychological development, but it also positively influences their overall worldview and brings about an inclusive temperament in their minds.
Diversity is also better appreciated since children will have the opportunity to experience and participate in different cultural and social practices depending on the places they visit. Regardless, travel homeschooling stretches beyond the brick walls of school classrooms and places students directly in environments and situations that are often only experienced through words, images, and videos.
Contrasting the Benefits and Challenges of Travel Homeschooling
Like all educational methodologies, travel homeschooling, too, has its own set of challenges and upsides. The most important ones are listed under:
Benefits
- Aids Adaptation
Besides stepping into new environments, geographic landscapes, and cultures, travel homeschooling also promotes students’ ability to adapt and step out of their comfort zones. By interacting with new individuals, they become adept at encountering unfamiliar situations and help instill confidence, which can instill problem-solving skills while also allowing them to fathom cultural sensitivity.
- Helps Develop Hobbies and Interests
Since children are not shackled by the conventional school routine, they can often learn at a comfortable pace while staying committed to a curriculum. With a flexible schedule, it enables students to invest more time in dedicated interests and cocurricular activities which can range from art to diving. Their interests will eventually aid better focus and commitment to gaining practical experience in specific domains.
- Provides More Opportunities
Travel homeschooling can allow students the time to participate in volunteering activities as well as internships to enhance their skill set and practical experience in highly specialized fields. Besides their regular curriculum, it brings about a holistic environment to help children construct an eclectic foundation of hands-on knowledge and expertise.
Challenges
- Time and Complexity
Managing time along with a travel schedule can get quickly complicated. Since travel logistics and planning take time, parents should have manageable templates and schedules to help their children stay committed to their academic responsibilities. Planning ahead and also giving children enough time to adapt to their schedules will also be ideal.
- Steep Costs
The cost of traveling and visiting different countries and locales can be considerably high, often adding up faster than one might expect. It’s important to budget carefully to ensure overspending is avoided. Several states and regions also have different norms for homeschooling and education, it might also be important to keep track of these regulations while on the move.
- Maintaining Social Circles
Keeping in touch with friends, family, and social groups might prove challenging for both children and parents when traveling. While some might think travel homeschooling might deprive children of lasting friendships, that might not necessarily be the case. There are a variety of options to help students stay in touch with their friends and family including virtual meetups and in-person visits. However, planning might end up being a challenge.
The Scope for Travel Homeschooling
The prospects for travel homeschooling have grown in the post-pandemic age, with both remote work and remote education having become very viable options. Parents have begun thinking beyond the confines of an educational institution.
From having flexible schedules to facilitating practical learning through field visits, excursions, and firsthand experiences of different cultures, travel homeschooling has become a preferred option for several families that have either nomadic or flexible lifestyles.
That being said, homeschooling is not necessarily ideal for every child, and decisions must be made after considerable deliberation over resources, planning, and the child’s ability to adapt to a constantly changing environment.
Author Bio:
Sophia is an online ESL/EFL instructor and a passionate educator. She found her true calling — teaching — while she was juggling writing and a 9-5 desk job. When she is not busy earning a living, she volunteers as a social worker. Her active online presence demonstrates her strong belief in the power of networking. If you want to connect, you can find her on Facebook, Twitter, and her blog Essay Writing and More.
Sophia has also written 5 Ways to Help Homeschoolers Enjoy Romeo and Juliet here at Starts At Eight.
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