Traveling the world as a family is an incredible way to raise your children. However, while you're discovering new cultures and landscapes, you may also need to explore homeschooling on the road.
Children need to learn while they grow, but there are more ways than one for them to do this.
And while schools and classrooms have been designed to teach kids in an organized way, traveling homeschoolers have a different approach to preparing children for their futures.
Homeschooling on the Road
Here are some of the benefits of schooling children while traveling, as well as a few challenges you may come across.
6 Benefits Of Homeschooling Abroad
The great thing about starting to homeschool on the road is that there have been parents before you who have done the same.
They've figured out what works for them and what doesn't, and they've seen all of the benefits that this approach to teaching has brought.
1. Unparalleled Experiences
Children who learn on the road experience a lot more than those who remain seated in a classroom each day.
Most kids will learn about the world from books and screens. With worldschooling, children can learn about these things first-hand.
2. Freedom
You may choose to spend 3 months in Amsterdam, cycling into the countryside for lunch, or take a quick trip to Iceland to experience the Northern Lights.
The great thing about traveling and homeschooling is that you're not bound to school semesters.
You have more freedom in your days, weeks, and years. And this freedom can be enjoyed together as a family.
3. Real-world Skills and Lessons
The world contains all the lessons that are taught in a classroom. Where better to learn about the Roman gladiators than at the Colosseum?
There's no better place to learn about the Great Wall of China than in China itself. And what could be more inspiring to young children interested in art and history than browsing the museums in Vienna?
4. Tighter Family Bonds
After a few months of spending 24/7 with your entire family, you'll start to notice the strong bond forming between each member of the family.
You'll have real conversations with your children, learn more about them as people, and create unforgettable memories together. Not every day will be smooth sailing.
But there's bound to be a lot more laughs around the dinner table after a day of learning about wild animals on a real African safari.
5. One-on-One Attention For Your Child
In a classroom, your child will have to share the teacher's attention with a group of other students. But when they're being taught at home, they are able to receive individual attention.
This can be extremely beneficial for children who need a little extra help with subjects. Allowing them enough time to enjoy their work and develop their interests.
6. Friends All Over The World
Most homeschooled children are thought to be lacking social skills, and when you're traveling long-term with kids it may seem like they have no contact with other kids their age. But it's really not true.
Roadschooling allows children to make lifelong friends all over the world!
7 Challenges Of Homeschooling While Traveling The World
While homeschooling for traveling families can be an exceptional experience for all involved, it comes with its own set of obstacles to overcome.
1. Sibling Conflict
We mentioned family bonding, which is a great benefit of homeschooling around the world. But there's no denying that at times, siblings are not going to be the best of friends.
Giving each child some of their own time and space can help with the bickering.
2. Time Constraints
It may seem like packing up and traveling the world would give you more time to do the things that matter. But when you have more than one child and you're also working, time can be short.
You're also traveling for a reason - to see the world. So you don't want to be stuck inside doing algebra while you could be exploring the city of Rome.
By scheduling your time to fit exploring, schooling, work, and family time, you'll ensure fewer hassles for the whole family.
3. Battling Lack of Motivation
While at home, kids may not be motivated to do any schoolwork. This can be frustrating, but you have the freedom to give them a break and switch up their schedules. Or offer them something more fun to learn for the day.
4. Higher Costs
Depending on the curriculum you chose to use to school your kids, the costs may actually be higher than sending them to school.
There are, of course, many free resources available on the internet, and an abundance of support as well. Before making the commitment to homeschool, it's wise to research the best options for your budget.
5. Lack of Facilities
The real world is full of educational opportunities, but there are facilities that your kids will miss out on the road. Things like sports fields, science equipment, and gyms.
Thankfully, with a bit of preplanning, you'll easily find facilities to rent or use wherever you are. And if you don't, you can always improvise.
6. Finding a Healthy Balance
Finding a balance between school and fun can be hard. It's similar to working from home, where work never really leaves. Likewise, it can be hard to get kids to focus on school while on the road.
Scheduling your time effectively and having a 'schoolwork space' can help create a more balanced lifestyle for everyone.
7. Family Concerns
When you announce that you're going to be homeschooling your children, your friends and family will likely have mixed reactions. There may be some concerns over the kids' wellbeing and future.
Thankfully, we live in a time where quite a few families have done this before us. So it's easy to show examples of how children have excelled at university after being homeschooled. Or how having friends all over the world make up for not seeing your classmates each day.
Don't let the (usually well-meaning) opinions of others affect your decision.
Roadschooling - Is It For You?
If you do want to see the world and let your kids travel, homeschooling is a great option.
If you have homeschooled your children from the start, then traveling the world while they learn is most likely a natural progression.
For kids who have been in mainstream schools and then change to homeschooling, it may be more of an adjustment.
It's important to remember that what works for one family may not work for another, and there is no right or wrong way to worldschool. Figure it out as you go, find other families and connect with them, and most importantly, have fun.
