Have you been wondering how to get started in homeschooling? You already have but just haven’t realized it. Teaching your child to speak, walk, go to the bathroom, and learn the ABC’s are all forms of teaching. Since your baby came out of the womb, you have been very instrumental in that child’s education. Now you just need the tools to help you continue.
Reading, writing, arithmetic, and history can all be easily taught anywhere including but not limited to your home, a city park, or on the road while traveling. The main thing is that you will have control over what your child is learning. No more worries about sending your child to an establishment that is designed to teach everyone the same. Do you really want your child to be the same? My guess is no, so take hold of the reins in your child’s education and be proactive in how he or she learns. You may even be in a situation where your child has special needs and you know that homeschooling will be the best way for him or her to get the attention they need. In a homeschooling setting with you as their teacher you can be confident that you are doing the best for your child. There are so many different ways to homeschool. Let’s talk about how.
Homeschooling comes in different forms and fashions. They include Eclectic Homeschooling, Classical Homeschooling, The Charlotte-Mason Method, Montessori-at-Home, The Moore Formula, The Reggio Emilia Approach, The Structured Homeschooling Approach, The Unit Study Approach, Unschooling, and Waldorf Homeschooling. These are just to name some. There are many more and I won’t go into each method here, so please see additional articles for more information. After you have chosen a method that meets the needs of your family, then you can start searching for a curriculum.
Looking at all the curricula out there can be a bit overwhelming. Don’t be afraid to tackle it head on. The best ways to learn about curricula are to join a homeschool group and go to the nearest homeschool convention. You will get loads of information. Look at all the curricula but know that in choosing one you are not locked in. It is not set in stone and you can easily change as you figure out what works best with your child’s learning style. Just listen to your student and keep a good eye out for what it takes to bring out the best in him or her.
Once you have found a curriculum that may work for your child, then it’s time to get started. Some curricula have a strict schedule that they want you to follow and some are very relaxed. Depending on which you have chosen will determine how your schedule will look. Please keep in mind that you have chosen to homeschool and that takes priority over most things. Even if you have a relaxed schedule curriculum, you still need to make sure your child is on the level of their peers, give or take a year. Whether you do a nine month schedule or a twelve month schedule, it’s best to at least have some sort of schedule. There are exceptions, but most people find it better for the child to have a good routine. That way the child knows what to expect each school day. You are homeschooling though, so have fun with it.
After you have spent some time homeschooling you and your family will find your groove. Have patience because you want this to be an enjoyable experience for everyone involved. Don’t be afraid to reach out to your homeschooling community if you need help or have any questions. You can use as many lifelines as you need.