The decision to homeschool your kids is not an easy one, but it is a decision that a growing number of families in the United States are making. According to the National Home Education Research Institute, approximately two million children in the United States were homeschooled during the school year in 2008-2009. Although parents decide to homeschool their kids for different reasons, they all can benefit from helpful information when they are just getting started.
Step 1
Research your state and local laws. According to the Homeschool Legal Defense Association, or HSLDA, the majority of states have passed laws that allow and regulate homeschooling, but these laws vary from state to state. At a minimum, most states require that you register your homeschool with the state or local school district, and some states require that you maintain a portfolio to document your children's progress and participate in standardized testing. A good place to find the requirements for your state is on the website for your state's board or department of education.
Step 2
Identify your homeschooling resources. Homeschooling your kids can be a rewarding experience for the entire family, or it can be a draining one. It is important to know what resources are available to you in terms of family and social support, community resources and personal finances and how to put those resources to work for your family's homeschooling.
Step 3
Join a homeschool co-op or support group. Homeschooling is a big commitment, and it helps to have the social support of other families on a similar path, according to the You Can Homeschool website. These groups provide parents and children with the opportunity to participate in group activities, develop friendships and share resources.
Step 4
Read about the different approaches to homeschooling to determine which, if any, is the best fit for your family. Some families unschool, take traditional or classical approaches, conduct unit studies or adopt some combination of methods. Talk to other homeschooling families in your area or attend a homeschooling conference to learn more about the various methods.
Step 5
Develop a curriculum for your homeschoolers. Pre-packaged curricula are remarkable time savers when you are homeschooling more than one child, but they can be expensive. The alternative is to put together your own curricula. Lesson plans, courses of study and free worksheets are available online. Developing your own lessons and homeschooling on a shoestring budget takes more work, but is definitely possible.
Step 6
Create a space in your home for homeschooling. Many families do their lessons at the dining room table. In addition to the actual work space requirement, homeschoolers will need an area to organize and store their supplies, books and projects. Some families devote an entire room to homeschooling, but in many cases a shelf in the corner is sufficient.
Tips and Warnings
- Lesson plans can be useful, even if your state does not require that you turn them in, because they help homeschooling families stay on track and keep their long-term goals in mind.
- Don't be discouraged if your homeschooling experience is not perfect from the onset. Trial and error are a normal part of the homeschooling process.
