Why Homeschooling Is the Best: Passion in Learning

brother and sister play with building blocks on a white rug

My kids are huge LEGO fans. Although a LEGO obsession is not unique, it’s important to my family for a number of reasons. Time after time we were told by public school teachers and administrators that our kids could not focus. We were told that they would need to be held back a year because they couldn’t accomplish simple tasks.

But the colourful little blocks proved to us that this was not the case. Our kids can focus. They can build complicated models and create new ones because they are passionate about LEGO.

The chance to learn with passion and interest can and should extend to all children. There needs to be a fundamental shift in the way kids are educated. We need to move away from one-size-fits-all education, and this is where homeschooling comes in.

Homeschooling is a way to allow children to find what they’re good at and to follow their interests with passion—even if it's building LEGO models.

Old School Is Not Cool

I watched a video a few years ago about how the current education system had been created to prepare children for jobs in factories. It really hit home because I don’t want this kind of education for my kids. This is the gist of the video:

  • Our education system runs on industrial age values.

  • Children have no control over their learning or time.

  • Kids are rewarded for learning facts by heart.

  • There is no room for different ways of learning.

  • Teaching consists of lecturing and not engaging.

  • Children are not able to follow their passions.

This last point is the most important one for me. The school system forces children to learn the same things, at the same time and in the same way. There is no time for individual passions and interests. I remember how horrendous it was to be forced to learn subjects that I hated. So why would I want to do that to my children?

Why Is Passion in Learning Important?

Nobody likes being forced to do things they don’t want to do. But there is the old school perception that we have to learn to do things we don’t like because this is what life is about. We must be prepared for doing jobs that are not rewarding or stimulating. 

I sincerely don’t believe this is the way to go. 

Why Homeschool Is Best: Passion in LearningI think that the world is slowly moving towards supporting greater individuality and originality. And this is where passion in learning comes in. 

If children are allowed to learn what they love and enjoy, they are going to do it with energy and enthusiasm. And this interest-led learning is the road to mastery and success. 

How to Encourage Passion in Learning

If you want to encourage an interest-led learning environment for your child, then try the following:

  • Homeschooling is probably the first step. I’m not saying that kids aren’t able to do what they love while attending public school, but in my experience it’s much easier when children have the time, encouragement, and freedom that homeschooling provides.

  • Go with the flow and allow the obsessions to run their course. We sometimes have weeks where the boys are interested in nothing but building weird and wonderful LEGO creatures. And with each of these deep dives, we have seen an increase in concentration, in problem solving, and in creativity.

  • Give your kids what they need to follow their passions. You can do this by buying the equipment they need, by giving them the time to explore, and by teaching them the skills they need to reach their goals. 

Staying flexible is key to encouraging passions. We usually homeschool on a four-day schedule which gives us plenty of time for lessons while also allowing time for LEGO and other hobbies. And if an idea strikes, or if there is something that the kids are really excited about, we ditch the schedule and go with it. That’s the beauty of homeschooling!  

If you are like me and you don’t want to force your kids to do menial and meaningless learning, then maybe you should consider homeschooling. And in doing so, you can create a learning environment that allows your child to flourish. 

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Charlotte Jones

About the Author

Charlotte Jones is a multi-tasking mom who works from home. She spends her days blogging at My Little Home School, homeschooling her twins, and teaching English online.

Her home is a small house in a quaint little town on the coast of South Africa. You can often find her swimming in the lagoon or hiking in the forest with her husband, special needs twins, and furbaby.

She loves her family, spending time in nature, running, red lipstick, and drinking too much coffee.  

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