Home Education Vs. Homeschooling: The Big Differences

When people hear the terms ‘Home Education’ and ‘Homeschooling’, they often believe that they mean the same thing: to educate at home. And although these terms are frequently used synonymously, they actually mean very different things.  

When I started looking into home educating, I already had a vague idea that homeschooling was a little bit different. But you might not know how different they are, which can make things confusing when it comes to using the terminology and understanding what you are doing. 

So, without further ado, let’s dive into the differences between Home Education and homeschooling.

What are the Differences Between Home Education and Homeschooling?

Meaning

Home Education:

Home Education might mean the same as homeschooling in that it places the responsibility of your child’s education in your hands, but it means more than just educating at home. In fact, it has a much broader definition and encompasses various styles of education, such as homeschooling, worldschooling, unschooling etc. 

Homeschooling:

Homeschooling refers to a specific practice of Home Education. We call it a style of education. It essentially sees school replicated at home and the parents or guardians take on the primary role of educator.

Learning approaches

Home Education:

Home Education favours a holistic approach to education and encourages child-led and experiential learning. It can also involve a mix of online schooling, tutoring, unschooling (child-led learning), and even part-time attendance at formal educational institutions. There are many different styles of education to choose from and each have their benefits depending on how your child learns best. 

Homeschooling:

Homeschooling can also embrace different learning methods, but it tends to be more structured and mirrors traditional schooling methods like using a curriculum, having a schedule and standardised testing. 

Educational philosophy

Home Education:

Home Education tends to align more with alternative educational philosophies such as unschooling, which emphasises child-led learning and a more organic, less structured approach to education. It can also encompass eclectic methods, where parents mix different educational philosophies and resources. 

Homeschooling:

As mentioned, Homeschooling tends to follow a more structured and traditional approach to education. It favours academic achievement and measurable outcomes as well as being subject-focused. 

Implementation and flexibility

Home Education:

Home Education is often seen as being more flexible and laidback. Families may choose to have an unstructured approach to education and plan things as and when. They also have the choice of trying out different learning styles to suit their child’s needs and lifestyle. Learning is also based around a child’s interests and adapts to their changing needs.

Homeschooling:

There is a more predictable structure with homeschooling. You’ll find that homeschoolers like to stick to a daily and weekly schedule as it establishes more of a routine and provides stability. Typically, parents will lead the learning using a preferred curriculum. 

Social and extracurricular activities

Home Education:

Social, physical and extracurricular activities are a big part of Home Education and are often integrated into the learning itself. This includes days out, meeting up at Home Education groups, joining local clubs and more.

Homeschooling:

Whilst homeschoolers often incorporate extracurricular activities into their child’s education, they often focus more on academic subjects, particularly the core subjects: English, Mathematics and Science.

Parental role and involvement

Home Education:

Parents tend to act as the facilitators of their child’s education rather than taking on the role of teacher. They will guide their children to different resources and provide new and exciting experiences for them, often involving other people and encouraging collaborative learning.

Homeschooling:

Parents who homeschool often take on the responsibility of teaching their children and direct their learning, whilst also assessing and managing their progress. They may even involve a tutor for specific subjects.

Terminology usage

The use of both ‘Home Education and ‘homeschooling’ can vary by region and legal context. In the USA, and around the world, ‘homeschooling’ is  more commonly used; whereas in the UK, we like to use ‘Home Education’ as the official term — although people will often still refer to it as ‘homeschooling.’ 

So, despite what people may believe, there is a difference between Home Education and homeschooling, and one is not better than the other. It’s all about following your philosophy and doing what works for your children.