Ever since the Covid-19 pandemic, homeschooling has been on the rise, with rates nearly doubling in the United States, where 3.4 to 3.7-million students or roughly six to seven percent of the school-age population preferring homeschools over traditional education systems.

According to US educators, many families prefer homeschooling because it is highly customizable and flexible. It allows parents to pace their children’s learning and to tailor-fit the curriculum. It fosters strong family bonds and integrates practical life skills in a safe environment.

In the Philippines, actress Winwyn Marquez is among those who prefers to homeschool her child instead of enrolling her in a school. At a recent press conference organized by a food supplement brand, Winwyn shared that her daughter Luna has also started going to school — their own home.

“Foundation is very important, and for us, having a routine at home especially supporting my daughter’s growth. Of course, we’re focused now on nutrition, enough sleep, health. And now that my daughter has started homeschooling and I’m her educator, I make sure to make an environment where she’s secured and she feels energized and she wants to learn,” she shared her experience in homeschooling Luna.

“So routine, repetition is what we do, but at the same time, patience because I won’t get her to be attentive if I just snap at her.”

So far, she said her methods are working, and she is grateful to be homeschooling Luna, even if it means that Winwyn’s showbiz career has to take the backseat for the meantime.

“We have to sacrifice one really. Like I can’t focus on work only, I can’t only focus on family. There’s really one thing that could be sacrificed, and that’s the reality of it,” she said.

Since homeschooling is very flexible, there is a tendency to lose track on studying and studies, so Winwyn’s advice for other parents thinking of homeschooling their children is to stay focused.

“I’ve learned that habits are learned over time. And every day looks different, even if there’s something that you’re used to doing every day. It changes every day. But if you have that goal, that objective for your child, like I do for Luna, for her to be active, to be curious, ask her questions about her studies, about me, or about her, just be focused on your goal.”