Homeschooling 101: How to Start
Are you new to homeschooling? The first of your family to make the leap? Are you transitioning your children out of public school to homeschool?
Whether you are scared, nervous, unsure, clueless or just need a starting point, here are our basics. Inspired by a family friend of ours who made the leap of faith to take her children out of public school.
I heard her concerns and “what – ifs” and started a list. Because we have all been there as beginner homeschoolers – it’s okay. We got this.
Here’s How to Start: Condensed Version
Build Strong Relationships — Ease Daily Stress —- Manage Content Taught — Biblical Foundation — Flexibility —Connect
How to Start Basic Breakdown:
The Day to Day
The Basics
The Basics
- Checklist
- Pick a few curriculum subjects
- Trial and error with what works and what doesn’t.
- Research hours vs. content (see HSLDA website)
The Questions
All the Questions
All the Questions
- What will I teach?
- How will I schedule?
- What about friends?
- What will others think?
- What will I do being with my kids all day?
- What if I mess up?
- What if I pull them out of public school when they are older?
The Why
Why Homeschool?
The Why
- Content
- Religion
- Safety
- Health and Well-being
- Time
- Freedom and flexibility
- Better friends, relationships and community
- Discipline consistently
The Freedom
Freedom is Everything
Homeschool Flexibility
- To choose times
- Choose days
- Teach Bible
- Teach extras
- Tailor your schooling to your styles
- Make quick adjustments to your day
- Freedom for your child who may struggle or excels
The First Steps
Anything is possible
You can Do it!
- Decide your Why
- Start slow
- Gather ideas and suggestions
- Ask for ideas and help
- Choose a few subjects
- Figure out your days/times
- Give yourself time to adjust and rearrange
How to Start: The Stories of Victory
You will be surprised at how many people have put their children in regular school or even private school to later pull them out. You aren’t alone and it’s a great choice at any time in any way to homeschool! Never be discouraged. Your kids will understand. They may be confused or scared like you at first because it’s a big change, but they will adjust and appreciate it. You may find very quickly that they LOVE it. So many families we know have had life-altering moments when choosing to homeschool.
No Stress Mornings
Many families we know mention this as the top victory: homeschooling takes away the rush and stress in the mornings. It takes the stress of getting the kids out the door or to the school bus urgently. No more fussing and crying and rushing around. You actually have time to sit down and be PRESENT with your child or children. Make breakfast. Talk. Some do a Bible study or share a story. Stay in your pj’s or go for a morning walk. It’s your day. Your children. The beautiful moments of this slow pace in the morning gives you the flexibility to choose what you want and when you want.
Great for EVERY Child
What about your child who loves to stay up late and sleep in? What about a child who is introverted and needs time to breathe? Or your child is a planner and needs extra time in the morning to organize their thoughts or make everything just right? Or an autistic child? An ADHD child? A deeply introverted, quiet child?
Homeschooling allows for it ALL. No matter if you have a morning person or a sleeper. A teenager who sleeps until noon and then wants to do schoolwork until 10pm? It’s all good. Homeschooling has you covered. The reasons are endless. Take the leap. You can do it! Anyone can homeschool.