Roadschooling and Alternative Education Options: A Guide for Parents
Traditional education isn't the only option for families anymore. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in alternative education methods, such as roadschooling and worldschooling. These approaches offer families a more flexible and personalized way to educate their children.
What is Roadschooling?
Roadschooling is a type of homeschooling that combines travel with education. Families who roadschool typically live in an RV and travel from place to place, using their surroundings as their classroom. Children learn about different cultures, history, and science through hands-on experiences.
Benefits of Roadschooling
There are many benefits to roadschooling, including:
Flexibility: Roadschooling families have the freedom to create their own curriculum and schedule. This allows them to tailor their child's education to their individual interests and needs. We use an online program called Acellus for general education and add things such as the national parks junior ranger programs into the mix.
Personalized Learning: Roadschooling provides a one-on-one learning experience that can be more effective than traditional classroom instruction. One big benefit here is that we can adjust learning times as needed.
Cultural Exposure: Roadschooling gives children the opportunity to experience different cultures and perspectives firsthand. This can help them develop a broader understanding of the world.
Real-World Learning: Roadschooling allows children to learn about the world in a real-world context. This can make learning more engaging and meaningful. Things such as home life, finance and planning are great additions.
What is Worldschooling?
Worldschooling is another type of alternative education that combines travel with education. However, worldschooling is typically more focused on immersion in different cultures than roadschooling. Worldschooling families may spend extended periods of time living in different countries, allowing their children to fully immerse themselves in the local culture. We’ve only done this in Mexico and Canada so far but we are looking to visit other countries as well.
Benefits of Worldschooling
The benefits of worldschooling are similar to the benefits of roadschooling, but they also include:
Language Learning: Worldschooling provides children with the opportunity to learn new languages in a natural setting. Acellus also allows us to work through other languages such as Spanish, French and German.
Cultural Understanding: Worldschooling helps children develop a deeper understanding of different cultures.
Global Citizenship: Worldschooling can help children develop a sense of global citizenship and responsibility.
Other Alternative Education Options
In addition to roadschooling and worldschooling, there are a number of other alternative education options available, including:
Unschooling: Unschooling is a child-led approach to education that allows children to learn at their own pace and in their own way.
Online Learning: Online learning platforms offer a variety of courses that can be taken from anywhere in the world.
Democratic Schools: Democratic schools are self-governing schools where students and teachers have a say in the school's policies and curriculum.
How to Choose an Alternative Education Option
The best alternative education option for your family will depend on your individual needs and circumstances. Consider your child's learning style, interests, and personality when making your decision. You should also consider your family's budget, lifestyle, and travel goals. Just because you choose one avenue now doesn’t mean you can’t change. This is the beauty of independent learning.
Resources for Roadschooling and Worldschooling Families
There are a number of resources available to help families who are interested in roadschooling or worldschooling. These resources include websites, blogs, and online communities.
Conclusion
Roadschooling and worldschooling can be rewarding and enriching experiences for both children and families. If you are considering alternative education options, I encourage you to do your research and find an approach that is right for you.