Parents may choose to educate their children at home for a variety of reasons. Some take the decision before their child is born, for example, for ideological reasons. A majority however decide to withdraw their child from school as a result of negative experiences there - such as bullying, behavioural problems, or concern about the quality of teaching. Parents do not need special training or a high level of education themselves to be effective home educators. What they do need is the time, energy and commitment.
Most home educators are women.
Home education has the advantage of allowing for highly individualised teaching, as parents are able respond directly to their child's interests and learning needs. Learning is contextualised in a way it rarely is in formal lessons. The research revealed a clear shift away from formal methods of teaching and learning, as parents became more confident educators. The first is the result of their own observation. They find themselves talking a lot with their children, following through their interests, answering questions, drawing their attention to things which might arouse their curiosity, even during more formal learning sessions.