Homeschooling Guide for Beginners

/ /

Are you planning to start homeschooling but aren’t sure where to start? Don’t stress! You have come to the right place. Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned one, the homeschooling world can seem like a big world. At times, it holds, and other times, it doesn’t. 

Homeschooling your kids is a continuous process. You don’t simply read some blogs and books on homeschooling and think as if you know everything. No, it doesn’t work like this. When you choose to homeschool, you choose not just to make your kids learn but also to learn along with them. And trust us, this is the greatest perk of homeschooling. 

So, here we have curated a beginner’s guide to homeschooling to help you achieve success through the process. 

Guide to homeschooling for beginners

  1. Check out if homeschooling is legal in your area.

The first and foremost important question to ask yourself is whether or not homeschooling is legal in your area. For instance, if you are a resident of the USA, it is legal to homeschool in all 50 states. However, different states may have varied laws and requirements when it comes to homeschooling. So, it is best to visit HSLDA to check for laws for your specific area.

  1. Join a local homeschool group

It is preferably the best advice for beginners to join their local homeschooling groups. However, if you find it difficult to get in touch with one, don’t worry! A simple search through Facebook or the internet is enough to get a lot of other homeschooling groups in your town. Now that you have found potential groups make a move and join them. 

  1. Decide on whether to go solo or get help.

The next important thing is to ask whether you wish to go solo as a homeschooler or prefer to get some professional help throughout the journey. 

Several online homeschooling agencies are aiming to provide the right support to parents to keep up with the state standards for their kids’ educations. They have a highly professional and seasoned tutor for 1st graders to higher levels. Their sole aim is to work in direct contact with the parents to help kids achieve set goals. Such agencies even curate the right curriculum option and offer funding to purchase homeschooling supplies. 

  1. Read, read, and read.

Another important thing is to read what other homeschoolers have to post on their Facebook or other social media profiles. Also, check the youtube channels of homeschooling parents to understand their story, the way they homeschool, their challenges, and how they approach those challenges. 

This way, you will get to know their story. Further, see if it is similar to yours. It is indeed the best way to start the homeschooling journey for beginners. 

  1. Research varied approaches to homeschooling

Always remember not to run out to buy the all-in-one box set curriculum for your kids. No matter how promising or extensive it appears, a single set is never sufficient. These box sets aren’t only expensive but are seldom used extensively by kids. So we recommend you do some research before finalizing any set curriculum for your kids. To help you pick the right approach, here are some of the popular mentions:

  • Charlotte Mason
  • Eclectic approach
  • Waldorf schooling
  • Montessori schooling
  • Classic approach
  • Unschooling
  • Unit-studies

Therefore, the best practice is to start with just what you have and go from there. A single resource and a tool at a time are sufficient and go on as your budget allows. 

  1. Get to know your kids’ learning styles.

Every kid has a different learning style, and as a homeschooler, it is your responsibility to identify and encourage your kid’s learning style. For example, does your kid need to move around to learn? Do they prefer books or pictures and visuals to learn? Does hearing work best for them? Does your kid prefer a hands-on approach? 

So, homeschoolers allow them to explore and show the approach that interests them. You can even try different learning styles to teach the same lesson to see what works best for your kid. 

Endnote

Homeschooling is a journey. Never attempt to make it look like a regular school or a classroom day. Instead, utilize this time to bond and enjoy with your kids. Some days will indeed be hard, while others will be rewarding. No matter what, you will discover your kids’ talents and passions along the way. So, use the above-mentioned tips and start your homeschooling journey today.

Also Read : WPC16: The Game That Everyone is Talking About