Someone sent me a link to this Fox News report on a homeschooling family with 10 children that have a goal of sending them all to college by age 12. So far they’ve done it with several children. Watch the report video below. Here are links to their website and book.
http://kickstartercollegeby12.com/
College by 12 book
This is nice in theory but I feel college by age 12 is totally unnecessary. Bragging rights would be one of the few benefits I see. I definitely commend them for their beautiful, intelligent family. I just have mixed feelings on this issue.
Homeschooling may not be the right answer for everyone, but it is totally customizable. If children are allowed to learn at their own pace, nothing can stop them from achieving greater learning than in a controlled and standardized environment.
On the fip side? Is waiting to go to college til 18 totally necessary? I mean, are they really ahead or is the status quo really behind? Something to think about.
I guess I take a much more relaxed approach to homeschooling my 4 children. More on the eclectic/unschooling side of things, which is why this article surprised me. Oak can I just thank you immensely for your tireless efforts to bring common core to light? Mine and my husbands eyes have been opened. Keep it up.
Whatever works for a family is what that family should do. It sounds to me like this family doesn’t push their kids in a negative way, but just lets them learn at their pace.
You’re welcome on behalf of many others who are also tirelessly (perhaps tiredly :)) involved as well.
I think this is incredible and it has opened my eyes to many possibilities for my own children. I think ‘bragging rights’ are the least of the benefits that these parents and the children glean from this amazing experience. Very importantly, I think there is likely an amazing financial benefit to the children being able to attend and graduate from college with the ‘dual enrollment’ program in effect. Also, imagine that these children have learned how to be focused, diligent, and see such fast results to their own efforts. They earn these degrees and begin earning adult salaries at such an early age that they, will no doubt, then use to set themselves up for financial independence and success (i.e. paying for a home early, saving for retirement from such a young age resulting in likely triple figure retirement accounts (according to Dave Ramsey anyway), and so on) I think society could definitely use many more hardworking, fiscally responsible individuals if it is to ever be put back on the right track. My husband, who was against homeschooling from the social perspective entirely, has had his eyes opened as well and is finally on board with my desires to do this for our own young children. Amazing family, so glad you shared this!!
That four kids in one family can get a master’s degree by age 17 isn’t bragging rights, it’s an indictment of our entire secondary school system. They’re not geniuses, they’re simply well taught. Interestingly from the video, they’re all pursuing different degrees.
I love the comment of a fellow college classmate about the family of homeschool kids -“Are they really that advanced or are the rest of us just really behind?” :) I have a son who LOVES learning so much it is contagious. He even loves test taking but only tests that test beyond his ability because he loves to see the areas he has improved and grown in ability during each semester.
In the video of this family they made it clear that the object of the day was ‘to see what fun adventures they would have.’ The moment it isn’t fun, the parents back off. I have often wondered why my kids would learn leaps and bounds over the summer months vs. the standard school year. A wise homeschool mom pointed out to me it was because I filled the summer days with ‘fun’ enriching activities and attempted to follow a standard school schedule in the Fall/Winter. Kids (and all of us really) learn so much better when there is fun engaged activity in our learning process.
Even my daughter who is bright, hates traditional learning and almost seems impossible to teach, but on days when the creativity flows and I can find the ‘fun’ in any subject, she comes to life and learns without even realizing it.
I would love to get a hold of this families teaching style and curriculum!
I see it that my primary responsibility as a parent is to ensure that my child becomes independent. It’s implicit that my son should be independent *as soon as he can*. If I can create a program that will result in my child being above and beyond the college requirements by the age of 11 or 12, then that is what I must do.
I actually bought their e-book and read it. It is inspiring. The e-book is no longer available as they have signed with a publisher. When I spoke with Mrs. Harding on the the phone about a week ago, she said the new book will have some added material and will be available next spring or summer, 2014