While it might seem to be a modern educational trend, schooling children at home has been done for centuries. Wealthy families often hired teachers or governesses to educate their children, and only a few were sent to private schools outside the home. Religious organizations would teach those they took into their orders, but there was not enough time or funds to educate the local populace. Reading and writing were not widespread, so few parents could pass on their knowledge to their children.

Over the last few centuries, education has become a major priority in many countries, and public education systems have been created to teach all children. No matter what a children’s economic status, the law has made it mandatory that they receive a certain amount of education until they reach the minimum age for that country. Parents who disagree with the information taught are generally allowed to take their children out of the public system and enroll them in private schools or teach them at home.