8 Helpful Steps to Start Homeschooling : A Family’s Guide
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Are you looking to transition from traditional schooling to homeschooling or hoping to keep your children out of traditional schools entirely? This guide is here to help you get started and find success!
STEP #1.
Knowing Your Why: What Do You Hope to Accomplish With Homeschooling
Before you begin your homeschooling journey, you will want to take the time to consider why you are making the decision to homeschool your children. The reason doesn’t have to be profound or fueled by passion—although it certainly can be—but it should define the benefits you hope to see and act as a compass in all that you do.
As you begin to build your homeschool lifestyle, remember to return to this reason to make sure that your plan will align with your goals!
STEP #2.
Learning Your Local Requirements
Although homeschooling is legal in all 50 states, that doesn’t mean that every state handles homeschooling in the same way. Since academic requirements vary by state, the homeschool requirements change too.
This is very important—you must remain in compliance with local regulations if you plan to homeschool your kids.
These regulations may dictate how you will approach a curriculum and what expectations the state has for you and your children on this journey.
You can learn about the local requirements by state here.
STEP #3.
Planning what Homeschooling Will Look Like for Your Family
Homeschooling is a family matter, and it will take a fair bit of work to figure out what will work best for everyone. The goal is to balance the needs of the family with the needs of your children. When this balance exists, you will feel comfortable educating your children at home, and your children will have the tools they need to succeed.
Remember, homeschooling will not look like a traditional school day and formal learning will take significantly less time. Published this past year by the Illinois State Board of Education and adopted and vetted by experts in the homeschooling space, the below is a time table of what to expect and plan for when it comes to hours of learning at home:
In addition to schedule considerations, when deciding what homeschooling will look like in your home, it can be beneficial to consider the seven philosophies of homeschooling. This can be very helpful during your discovery phase and will allow you to explore sample schedules and curriculum to find a best fit for your family! I will share more specifics on the philosophies of homeschooling in the next several weeks, in the mean time, check out this outline by Homeschooler’s Life.)
Taking your time to create a family routine and flow will best allow you to pair life with learning, and reap the full benefits to homeschooling!
STEP #4.
Preparing Your Admin Work
In traditional schools, teachers and administrators work side-by-side to manage the admin side of education. When you choose to homeschool, you will need to manage this paperwork yourself. While it does mean you will need to put in some extra work, once you create your systems, this part is surprisingly easy!
Administration Considerations Can Include:
Assignments and Tests
Grading and Report Cards
Assessments and Action Plans
Essential Records and Legal Documentation
Once you understand your state requirements (as listed in Step Two), check out Rooms Need Love’s helpful guide on How to Easily Organize & Store Homeschool Paperwork and Records.
STEP #5.
Learning How to Teach and Meet the Needs of Your Child
One of the most common reasons that parents choose to homeschool their children is because the existing systems are not designed for our children. As parents, we know that our children are unique in every way, from the way they learn best to the way that certain subjects make them light up.
When you make the decision to be the teacher in your home, it is important to figure out what steps you need to take to be successful. You can start with general information on age-appropriate teaching methods for your child—but this is just a starting place!
By taking this further and focusing on understanding your child’s individual needs, you will best set them up for success while building their love of learning! A simple discussion with your child can be a wonderful place to start. If they have previous experience in traditional schools, ask them what they struggled with in school and what they really enjoyed. Focus on teachers, teaching methods, and activities. These discussions can allow you to learn more about your child’s unique needs.
Some children may not really know the answers to these questions, or it is possible that your child has never been in the traditional school system at all. Whether they can offer this feedback or not, it can be very helpful to understand different learning styles.
You can learn about learning styles and how to adapt to them from Simple K12’s Learning Styles Guide for Every Teacher in 2023. And don’t forget… Trust in the process! Homeschooling is a journey of learning and growth for both you and your children. You will be amazed how much you learn about your child and their learning needs, once you start!
STEP #6.
Selecting Your Curriculum
Whether you are a teacher for a public school or a parent on a mission at home, you will need to have a general curriculum to follow. Your curriculum will be your roadmap throughout the school year, and it will help you to offer your child or children a chance to receive a well-rounded education. While I never recommend one specific curriculum, I think it is so valuable for families to be creative and experiment to design a curriculum that works for them (see my blog on curriculum, here.)
An effective curriculum will meet the requirements of your state while also adapting to the unique needs and interests of your child. If designing your own, be sure to create a good balance across subjects and try to align your lessons in a way that enables them to flow together. A great curriculum lines up knowledge like building blocks, allowing the learner to leverage what they already know to better understand what they are learning next.
You can learn more about designing curriculums at home from the Organized Homeschooler’s guide on How to Create a Homeschool Curriculum Your Kids Will Love.
And… don’t let this step overwhelm you. There are several curriculum paths you can choose: prepackaged materials, charter structures, and mix and match options, none of which will make or break your homeschool!
STEP #7.
Finding Community, Extracurriculars, and New Opportunities
There is a common misconception that homeschooled children lack socialization, but let me tell you, this could not be further from the truth! Families that embrace homeschooling raise active and social children by allowing them to explore a world of opportunities.
There are many ways to incorporate socialization into homeschooling. Helping kids be a part of the community is easy, from visiting with local friends and relatives and taking regular outings and field trips, to having your children participate in activities outside of the home, like sports teams, church groups, hobby groups, or public classes.
As more parents turn to homeschooling to meet the needs of their children, homeschooling communities and co-ops are also growing in popularity. Never underestimate the importance of building these lasting relationships with fellow homeschoolers, and the impact they have on both your children AND you!
Learn more about joining an existing homeschool group or start your own through one of my favorite communities, Wild + Free.
And… Stay Open to Adapting
Homeschooling has been a beautiful journey for our family, simplifying to pair life with learning. I am always upfront with parents that the work in the beginning may seem heavy, but taking these steps with care will allow for your ease and enjoyment of the experience for years to come. Sometimes, what works for us one year does not work for us the next year—and that is okay, too. Staying open to adapting and being willing to revisit your original plan with fresh eyes can help you and your children to find success with at-home education.
Don’t be afraid to shake things up. Being able to change your plan to meet the needs of your children is one of the biggest benefits that comes with homeschooling!
It is my sincere hope that this guide has helped you to feel more confident in your ability to start educating your children at home. If you are looking for more information, I recommend the following guides from other homeschool creators:
I wish you all the best on your family’s homeschooling journey!
Xoxo,
Mandy