Welcome to the exciting world of homeschooling! If you’re thinking about starting your homeschool journey, yay!! Whether you’re considering this educational path due to unique circumstances or simply seeking a more personalized learning experience for your child, you’re in for an enriching adventure. Getting started with homeschooling can be really confusing. Knowing where to begin, how to find curriculum, and especially getting over the fear of messing up. Here are all the tips and a guide I wish I had as a first time homeschooler.
Know Your Why
Before you looking any actual details of homeschool its important to know your reason for doing it in the first place. Everyone homeschools for a different reason and your why is what will keep you going. Even on the hard days.
Your why will help guide your daily rhythm, your teaching style and even your curriculum choices.
Knowing the heart behind your homeschool choice is so powerful throughout your journey.
Your family culture will have a big impact on how you homeschool.
If you’re a family that love the outdoors nature study might be a big part of your homeschool.
If your family reads together and loves books maybe you’ll lean more towards a charlotte mason approach.
If you want to follow your child’s interests and talents maybe unschooling is a good fit.
The more in-tune you are with your unique family and why you’re choosing this path the easier it is to find a happy homeschool rhythm.
How To Get Started Homeschooling
Understand Your State’s Homeschooling Regulations:
Before diving into homeschooling, it’s crucial to familiarize yourself with the homeschooling laws and regulations in your state. Each state may have different requirements, such as mandatory subjects, required hours of instruction, or specific record-keeping obligations.
A quick visit to your state’s education department website or local homeschooling association can provide you with the necessary information.
We live in New York State with is a high regulation state. It is still totaling do able and not at hard as it sounds. It’s all about knowing what you need to do from the very beginning. HSLDA is really helpful with finding the homeschool laws for your state. You can join HSLDA for $135 per year to protect yourself if anyone does question the legitimacy of your homeschool.
Define Your Educational Philosophy:
Consider what educational approach aligns with your values and your child’s learning style. Whether you lean towards a traditional curriculum, a more flexible unschooling approach, or a mix of various methods, understanding your philosophy will guide your curriculum choices and teaching style.
If you’re thinking I’m not a teacher I have no clue what my educational philosophy is, try this homeschool style quiz to get a better idea of what might work for you.
You don’t need to totally lock in on a homeschool style or educational philosophy when you first start. Honestly most people end up falling somewhere in the middle. I do think being familiar with the styles and having an idea about which ones you lean towards is really helpful in starting out. You can use it to find homeschool moms to follow for ideas, choose curriculum, and build your your daily routine.
Set Realistic Goals:
Establish clear and achievable goals for your homeschooling journey. These goals can include academic milestones, personal development objectives, and any specific skills you want your child to acquire. Keep in mind that flexibility is key, and goals can be adjusted as you progress.
Choose a Curriculum:
Selecting a curriculum is a pivotal step in your homeschooling journey. Many options cater to different learning styles and educational philosophies. Explore online platforms, textbook-based curricula, or even create your own curriculum based on your child’s interests and needs. Don’t hesitate to experiment and make adjustments as you discover what works best for your family.
Curriculum pick blog posts and Youtube flip throughs are a great place to start to get curriculum ideas and see if a particular curriculum might be a good fit for you. Don’t feel like you need to start with every subject right away or spend tons of money!
When I first started the best advice I received was to start with reading and math and then slowly add other subjects as we felt more comfortable.
If you read my Curriculum Picks blog posts, you know that we’ve had both hits and missed with curriculum. We’ve had curriculums that were too easy. We adjusted by doing extra lessons. We’ve also had curriculums that just didn’t flow for us and the interests of my kids. We used the parts that worked and skipped the parts that didn’t.
At the end of the day just know that choosing a curriculum is not an end all be all. The curriculum is just a tool not a law to be followed no matter what. If you don’t love what you choose adapt it to meet your needs or ditch it to find something new! You’re the boss of your homeschool.
Create a Dedicated Learning Space:
When I say learning space I don’t actually mean a homeschool room! If you have the space and it makes you happy to create a beautiful homeschool room like you see on Pinterest then go for it! But don’t let the lack of space stop you from homeschooling.
Establishing a designated learning space can help create a conducive environment for focused learning. This doesn’t have to be an entire room; a quiet corner with essential supplies, such as books, notebooks, and educational resources, can suffice. The goal is to have a space that encourages concentration and minimizes distractions.
We spend most days homeschooling at our dining room table or reading together on the couch. Our curriculum materials we use everyday live in a cart in our kitchen. Our art supplies, books, and other materials live on book shelves in our finished basement.
Develop a Flexible Schedule:
One of the advantages of homeschooling is the flexibility it offers. Create a flexible daily or weekly schedule that accommodates your child’s natural rhythm and your family’s lifestyle. Allow room for breaks, exploration, and extracurricular activities. Remember that the beauty of homeschooling lies in adapting to your child’s unique learning pace.
We don’t really have a schedule but follow a daily rhythm. That means we don’t do things at a particular time everyday. This could mean choosing to do things in a certain order or on certain days of the week.
We enjoy slow mornings. We don’t set alarms or wake up at a certain time. I prioritize letting my kids get the rest they need. (One of my favorite parts of homeschooling.) After everyone is up and we’ve eaten a nice hot breakfast we work through our core subjects. We do subjects like reading, math, and writing. Other subjects we loop through a rotation.
Your homeschool rhythm is something you can adjust along the way as you figure out what works best for your family.
Join Homeschooling Communities:
Building a support network is invaluable on this journey. Connect with local homeschooling groups, both online and offline, to share experiences, exchange ideas, and seek advice. These communities can be a source of inspiration, collaboration, and camaraderie.
I live in a small town without any big homeschool co-ops or groups close by. Instead I’ve been able to connect with some experienced homeschool moms in my state. They were invaluable with both tips and encouragement as I got started and continue to be a great group to bounce ideas off as we continue on homeschool journey. I definitely ask more then one experienced homeschool mom how to get started homeschooling, what curriculum they used, and how they managed to get everything done!
Utilize Resources and Field Trips:
Take advantage of the vast array of resources available for homeschooling families. Online educational platforms, libraries, museums, and community organizations can provide valuable learning materials and opportunities. Plan regular field trips to enhance your child’s education with hands-on experiences and real-world connections.
The library is my number one resource for homeschooling. So much learning in early elementary grades can be down through books alone in subjects like history and science. You can gather booklist from curriculums and then check them out from your local library to keep your homeschool budget low.
Many libraries offer so much more then books though. You can often access databases, apps with read aloud story books, audiobooks, documentaries, learning games, and interactive learning kits.
Assess Progress and Adjust as Needed:
Regularly assess your child’s progress and be open to adjusting your approach as needed. Flexibility is a cornerstone of successful homeschooling, allowing you to tailor the learning experience to meet your child’s evolving needs and interests.
It’s okay to change your mind about using a particular curriculum and find a new one. You can also adjust a curriculum to fit your own needs. For example our reading program includes a list of words to read through with most lessons. Instead of making my daughter sit at the table and read the words I turn them into a variety of interactive games. Sometimes we do all the practice from a lesson, but if I feel she has a strong grasp on the skill we skip some or move on to the next lesson.
Enjoy the Journey:
Most importantly, relish the journey. Homeschooling is not just about academics; it’s about fostering a love for learning, building strong family bonds, and nurturing your child’s individuality. Celebrate the small victories, learn from the challenges, and savor the joy of witnessing your child thrive in a personalized educational environment.
Embarking on the homeschooling journey is an exciting endeavor that requires dedication, flexibility, and a sense of adventure. As you navigate this educational path, remember that there is no one-size-fits-all approach. Tailor your homeschooling experience to suit your family’s unique dynamics, and enjoy the fulfilling and enriching experience of guiding your child’s education from the comfort of your home.
I hope these tips helped you feel at ease with how to get started with homeschooling! If you have any questions or just need encouragement I always love connecting with other homeschooling moms. Just remember you are the best teacher for your child, you don’t have to figure everything out on day one, and homeschool doesn’t need to look or feel like school. Happy homeschooling!
