6 steps to get started homeschooling
The idea of homeschooling your kids can be quite overwhelming, but it’s not something you can’t do. Children learn all the time from different people and situations. If they can talk to and learn from their teacher, they can do the same at home and learn in a more relaxed and personalized environment.
One thing you should know about homeschooling is that it’s different from a public school at home. The manner of thinking towards education and the approach to education differ between homeschooling and public education. Homeschooling is tailored and personalized to each child instead of the general standardized curriculum or guidelines set for the masses in public schools. Individualization makes homeschooling more effective.
If you’re interested in starting a homeschool but are unsure how to go about it, here are the first steps you should take to get started. This might feel like an overwhelming thing to do at first, but you’ll find that it’s easier as you get along. Here are the six steps you should take to start homeschooling:
- Do your research
Before you start, ensure that you have researched homeschooling and everything it entails properly. Before proceeding with this process, see how it fits into your schedule and family dynamics. There are several types of homeschooling, and parents often seek tools, resources, and college paper help from recognized bodies to school their children from home. This allows for more flexibility in the delivery, plan, and schedule of your child’s education. Before starting, consider how this decision fits into your family’s values and lifestyle. Understanding the process adequately through research can help you determine when, how, and where to start your homeschooling.
- Know your state’s homeschooling laws
Homeschooling is legal in almost all states. However, the laws guiding homeschooling in each state might vary. Generally, public school law and homeschooling law differs. Homeschool involves withdrawing your child formally from the public education setting and declaring your intentions to homeschool the child. The direction and level of intervention from the state may vary per state, but it becomes your responsibility to educate your child. They become your student.
- Locate other nearby homeschoolers and local activities
A crucial step that you can take to help homeschool your child successfully is to become part of a homeschooling community. It might be an online community where you can get support and encouragement in virtual form or a physical community where you can meet other people and participate in field trips, outings, and classes. It’s important to avoid isolation if you’re going to be successful with your homeschooling.
Other local homeschoolers are also helpful for understanding the laws and regulations of homeschooling. It can also reduce your child’s anxiety if they connect with other homeschoolers.
- Explore several homeschooling methods
An interesting thing about homeschooling is that you’re not required to recreate the school environment at home. You are free to teach and train your child in several unconventional ways that are impossible within schools. So, you need to learn the best ways to teach them. It doesn’t have to be the same structure as the school. They’re learning from home. Try to find out the best way your child learns and use it to teach them. You can also consider the different homeschooling methods and the best fit for you.
As you explore the different ways to teach them, use the same period to take your child through deschooling before they start homeschooling. This is even more important if your child is in a public school. This will help them adjust well to their new learning environment and method. For your child to properly benefit from homeschooling, they must let go of the idea of conventional schooling methods in their head. So, the deschooling period is important to help them learn new learning styles and methods.
- Know your child’s passion and interests
Limit technology use so your child can find and pursue their genuine, non-technology-influenced interest. Gaming, for instance, can be a tech-inspired interest and a de-motivator for young adults and teenagers. So, encourage other interests throughout their education. Trying to focus on their passion proves a successful break from public schooling. You can use this to reduce their learning workload and increase their love for learning. This makes them more compliant, and homeschooling is much easier for them.
- Choose a homeschooling curriculum and courses
Ensure your courses and curriculum covers the core classes but make sure there are electives. Look for a curriculum that’s made for homeschoolers. It assumes that parents and students aren’t experts on the subject, so it’s written in a way that is easy to understand. Also, before paying for a curriculum, estimate the number of hours daily that you’re expected to spend daily on each. This will help you with your expectations.
Conclusion
Homeschooling isn’t as difficult as it seems from the start. While the start can be overwhelming, once you start, it gets easier. Follow the steps discussed in this article to get started.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
