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Online schooling professional highlights errors traveling parents should avoid while balancing education and adventure
Key Points:
- Online education expert warns of 5 mistakes ‘roadschooling’ parents make that can hinder educational progress
- Mistakes made by parents include lack of routine, over-emphasis on experiential learning, and not using online resources enough
- Expert stresses importance of finding balance between flexibility and structure
Roadschooling, the growing trend of mixing your child’s education with travel, is catching on as more families embrace a flexible, hands-on approach to learning. Instead of keeping education confined to a classroom, parents are using travel as a tool to teach subjects like history, science, and culture.
The pandemic contributed massively to this shift, as it showed that education doesn’t have to be confined to a classroom. As a result, roadschooling is gaining momentum with parents who want to take a more personalized and adventurous approach to learning.
However, Vasilii Kiselev, CEO and co-founder of Legacy Online School, warns that while roadschooling sounds exciting, many parents unknowingly make mistakes that can impact their child’s education.
To ensure kids get a balanced, well-rounded learning experience, there are several common pitfalls to avoid. Here, Legacy Online School lists five of the most important ones.
- Lack of a Structured Routine
Roadschooling offers a lot of flexibility, which can be great, but it also risks losing structure. Legacy Online School points out that some parents may take too much of a relaxed approach, making it hard for kids to stay focused. Even when traveling, it’s important to have a daily or weekly routine for schoolwork.
“Time management is a key skill taught in schools because it’s something kids will need for almost every part of life, not just their future jobs,” says Kiselev. “That’s why it’s so important to have a schedule that includes time for learning, even while on the road.”
- Over-Emphasis on Experiential Learning
Trips to castles or museums aren’t just one-time experiences. In schools, they’re often followed by activities like worksheets or reports to help students reflect on what they learned. This process strengthens the experience and helps them retain key information. Roadschooling kids should be doing the same after visits to museums or historical sites, so that learning continues after the trip.
“Doing follow-up activities like reports or worksheets is a great way to build on what kids learn during their travels,” says Kiselev. “It helps make sure the experience really sticks, just like it would in a traditional classroom.”
- Lack of Socialization Opportunities
One common mistake roadschooling parents make is not providing enough opportunities for kids to socialize. While travel gives kids exposure to new places and cultures, it can also leave them feeling isolated from children their own age. Social interaction is important for building life skills like communication, teamwork, and emotional understanding.
Legacy Online School suggests finding local homeschool groups, virtual classrooms, or connecting with other roadschooling families to help kids stay socially engaged.
“Social development is just as important as academics,” says Kiselev. “Parents should make sure their kids have chances to interact with other children, whether it’s through group activities, online classes, or even virtual playdates.”
- Neglecting State and National Educational Requirements
Some roadschooling parents may forget about local or national education requirements, such as standardized tests or core subjects, which could lead to their kids missing out on a well-rounded education. Without following these guidelines, children might not learn everything they need, especially if they return to traditional schooling later on.
To avoid this, Legacy Online School suggests parents stay on top of education standards wherever they travel and make sure their curriculum covers all the basics.
“It’s a good idea to have your child’s education line up with state or national standards,” notes Kiselev. “That way, they’re getting a well-rounded education, no matter where the road takes them.”
- Underutilizing Online Educational Platforms
Thanks to modern technology, parents have access to a wealth of resources that can help maintain academic progress. But many parents either don’t use these tools enough or aren’t consistent with them, leading to gaps in learning.
“Using online platforms can take almost all of the guesswork out of roadschooling,” Kiselev explains. “These platforms provide a structured curriculum that parents can rely on, covering essential subjects while allowing the freedom to explore and learn from the world around them. It’s a great way to stay on track with academic goals, so parents don’t have to worry about missing key learning milestones as they travel.”
Vasilii Kiselev, CEO and co-founder of Legacy Online School, commented:
“Roadschooling can be an incredible learning experience, but it’s important to find the right balance between flexibility and structure. By following certain guidelines, such as keeping a routine, balancing hands-on learning with academic lessons, encouraging social interaction, and following educational standards, parents can ensure their children receive a well-rounded education while on the road.
“The freedom to travel doesn’t have to mean sacrificing education. With the right strategies, roadschooling can give children the best of both worlds: adventure and academic success.”
About Legacy Online School
Legacy Online School provides a high-quality, flexible, and accredited online education for students from Kindergarten through 12th grade. Their curriculum is designed to foster academic excellence and personal growth, allowing students to learn at their own pace. With a team of experienced educators, Legacy Online School combines interactive digital tools with personalized support, ensuring each student’s success. The school emphasizes a well-rounded education, including extracurricular activities and college prep guidance, to prepare students for future endeavors.
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