How to Homeschool: 5 Simple Steps
Are you considering homeschooling your children? Or have you already made the decision but now you need to know how to start homeschooling? We want to help you!
Homeschooling can seem like an overwhelming task when you’re new to it or when you’re thinking about how to get started. It’s absolutely something you can do, though! And it doesn’t have to be scary! It’s much easier to get started when you break the requirements down into steps and take one step at a time. That’s what we’re here to help you do. Resist the temptation to jump ahead if you can. Not only will you feel calmer, but you may also find that you enjoy your planning and don’t feel anxious about it at all!
How to Homeschool: 5 Simple Steps
#1: Make sure you and your husband agree.
One of the first and most important things to do is make sure your husband is on board with your desire to homeschool. That may sound old fashioned, but it’s so much easier to homeschool when both husband and wife agree! You may be the one doing most of the teaching and day-to-day tasks involved in homeschooling, but your husband will (hopefully!) be your biggest supporter. You’ll enjoy telling him about your homeschool days, and you’ll need his support and encouragement when things occasionally get hard. These articles might help:
What If Your Husband Does Not Support Homeschooling?
10 Tips for Talking to Your Husband About Homeschooling
#2: Learn about your state’s homeschool laws.
Before you start homeschooling, it’s very important to learn about the homeschool-related laws in your own state. These laws vary widely from one state to another, so it’s better to talk with a local-to-you homeschool group or friend rather than someone who lives in another state.
It’s also a great idea to check with the Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) since they have experts on homeschool-related laws in all 50 states. You don’t have to be a member to ask about homeschool-related laws, but we do encourage membership since HSLDA helps fight for our rights to homeschool. We want to keep our freedom to homeschool without government interference!
Learn About Your State’s Homeschool Laws
#3: Attend a homeschool conference if you can.
Of course it’s not necessary to attend a homeschool conference, but it can be a great way to meet other homeschooling families and learn more about homeschooling. You can attend classes that teach more about teaching particular topics or using certain curriculums, teaching students in special circumstances (see the next section about considering special circumstances), scheduling, reading aloud, incorporating unit studies or nature studies, and so much more!
10 Ways to Get the Most from a Homeschool Conference
#4: Consider any special circumstances.
Are you:
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pulling a child from public school to homeschool?
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considering homeschooling an only child?
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considering homeschooling a special needs child?
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considering homeschooling a preschooler or kindergartener?
If you’re in any of these situations, here are some articles with information just for you!
#5: Take your time choosing the right curriculum.
Choosing curriculum can be a scary thing for homeschooling families–especially those who are brand new to homeschooling! If you possibly can, take some time–even just a few weeks–to think about, look at, and decide on which curriculum you’ll use in your homeschool. And keep in mind that, unless you’re pretty certain you’ve chosen just the right curriculum, it’s better not to spend too much money at first.
It’s also a good thing to keep in mind that it’s perfectly ok if the curriculum you choose at first doesn’t end up being something you just love! It takes some time, sometimes several years, to really figure out exactly what works for your family. If whatever you choose works fine (but you don’t happen to love it), then you may want to stick it out and look for something different for next year. If you and/or your children just hate whatever you’re using, it’s best to find something else rather than have a miserable year!
The best way to make sure you find curriculum that works for your family is to take your time when choosing what you’ll use. Try to start far enough ahead of time that you won’t be rushed into buying something you’re not sure about. And be sure to keep in mind what your children enjoy and how they learn and not just what curriculum looks good to you. (You’ll read more about that in some of the learning style posts listed here.)
10 Tips for Choosing the Right Curriculum
Homeschool Curriculum Based on Learning Style
BONUS: Read and learn more about homeschooling. Below are some of our most popular articles. We think you will find them helpful and encouraging.
Top 10 Homeschool Do’s and Don’ts
An Open Letter to the Homeschool Mom from the Certified Teacher
Busting the “I Don’t Have the Patience to Homeschool” Myth
My name is Tina i recently started homeschooling my 7 yr old nonverbal autistic son but i don’t know where to begin or where to find materials to help him do u have any suggestions
I wish I had gone to a homeschool conference to really look at curriculum before we started. There was also lot of trial and error to find what works for us.
Lots of good info!
It’s so easy to forget those feelings and fears I had when I started homeschooling so many years ago. I’ll have to bookmark this article to refer the new homeschoolers who ask how to get started. I’ll have to check out the special needs articles for myself. It can be pretty discouraging most days. Thanks!
Good article. I forget how scary it was to start homeschooling all those years ago. I’ll have to save it for reference next time someone asks. I’ll have to read the special needs article myself. Thank you!