How to Start Home Schooling Your Children

Step-by-Step Instructions

If you're interested in teaching your children at home but just don't know how to start home schooling, use this step-by-step guide to get started.

I've covered the basic steps that you need to take in this article, so just read through it and follow the links to other sections of the web site where you can get more detailed information when you are ready for it.

Step #1

One of the first steps in how to start home schooling is making sure your homeschool is legal.

Based on the United States Constitution, home schooling is and has always been legal in all 50 states, but just to make sure you don't have any problems in your area, you need to check your state's laws. Approximately 2/3 of the states have specific laws that regulate teaching your children at home so, to make sure things go smoothly, check your state and city laws are and be sure to follow them.

You can check your state's laws in our Homeschooling Laws section of this website.

Also, check around and talk to different home schooling families in your area. They will know exactly what steps you need to follow to be "legal" and can probably give you some helpful tips.

You will find that homeschooling families are usually very helpful and will be glad to give you tips on how to start home schooling in your area.

The majority of the states require that you have a "home school covering." This is like a sponsor of your home school and is who you report to.

Depending on state requirements, your covering can be very involved - requiring you to have your children tested and turning in your lesson plans once per month or you may be able to choose a covering that isn't very involved at all.

If your state doesn't have strict rules regarding your covering, the choice is up to you.

If you are new to home schooling, you may want a covering that is more involved with your home school. They will help you get started and keep you accountable and on the right track. Many homeschool moms like this because of the help it offers them while they are learning.

However, you may not need or want this level of involvement.

Because I have been homeschooling for 16 years, I prefer a very unintrusive covering. I'm confident in our schooling methods and don't feel the need to report to anyone. I know that I am ultimately responsible for the quality of education that my children receive and don't need anyone to keep me "accountable."

Only you can judge what is best for you and your children - take this into consideration when you are choosing your home school covering.

Step #2

I can honestly say that I have never regretted teaching my children at home. I will also honestly tell you that it hasn't always been easy...

• you will run into obstacles...
• you will have bad days...
• it won't always be like the cover on the homeschooling magazines with the pretty homeschool mom teaching the happy, smiling little home school kiddies...

Some days just won't be fun.

But all in all, it has been a wonderful experience - one I have never regretted and don't foresee regretting when it's all said and done.

With that said, you need to mentally prepare yourself for what lies ahead. Know now that you will have good days and bad days. Know that this is a full-time commitment and that your child's education lies in your hands.

Also know that you are about to start a truly wonderful adventure and create memories and bonds with your children that just can't happen when your children go to public school all day long.

Knowing all of the above helps you create a mindset that will help you be successful with your home school.

You also need to prepare yourself "academically" by reading good home schooling books and getting an overview of what home schooling is all about.

Check out our section on "learning styles", different home schooling methods, and "grade level standards" to make sure you have the big picture before you start.

Step #3

Once you have learned about the different methods of home schooling, you need to start checking out all of the curriculum that is available to you.

A word of warning - this can become overwhelming very quickly when you are learning how to start home schooling and you can also spend a great deal of money very quickly.

Before you spend a dime, map out your "game plan".

• Decide which method best suits your teaching style (or what you think it will be)
• Decide how much time you have to devote to teaching - how many children do you have? What else do you have going on in your life (sick parents - newborn baby - a herd of toddlers :)
• Decide what your child's learning style is and what is best for his age
• Plan fun into your homeschool - Your children need to get a good education but homeschooling can be fun!

After, and only after, you have done all these things, start browsing through our curriculum section. This section is divided into all the major subjects and gives reviews of curriculums based on teaching ease, learning styles etc.

Step #4

A large part of learning how to start home schooling is planning. Get a rough idea of what your daily schedule will be. Take into account how many children you have, how many subjects you will be teaching, how many times per week each subject will be taught etc.

Make a very basic schedule and decide how you will do your record keeping. I have instructions on how to make a schedule, how to write lesson plans, and general homeschool organizition in other sections of Home Schooling Haven. Please check them out for more detailed instructions.

Remember! Don't drive yourself crazy about making a schedule. When you first start homeschooling, just make a rough draft. Don't spend hours, and hours, and hours on this planning the details down to each breath.

One thing I've learned is that it is good - almost essential - to have a schedule, but as you start your school year, you'll find some things that work great and some things just don't work for your kids at all. This is one of the great things about home schooling, it's all up to you and what is best for your children.

So...check out the resources for planning, scheduling, and organization, but go easy on yourself.

Nothing is perfect.

If you are determined that your homeschool will be perfect and your children will be perfect little scholars...you are setting yourself up for
some difficult times and some unhappy children.

Step #5

Chances are, you know someone who homeschools. Ask for recommendations or information about local home schooling groups.

Local support groups can be your lifeline at times. This is who you will do fun activities with and possibly co-op classes. Nothing beats a real, live shoulder to cry on when the going gets tough and nothing beats having fun with other homeschool moms and kids.

Some of our best times were had with our home schooling groups when I was first learning about how to start home schooling.

If you can't find anyone locally that homeschools, go online and search "homeschool co-ops" and "homeschool organizations" in your area.

Contact someone in the group and start joining in and going on field trips and activities. This is one of the best ways to get your children used to being homeschooled. They get to meet and make new friends so they don't feel isolated and you get to meet other moms for support and make new friends too!

When we first started home schooling, I signed my kids up for every field trip that was offered. No, we didn't get as much schoolwork done at first but we had a great time and

made friends that are still friends today. It was worth it!

Step #6

Explain to your children that you will now be homeschooling. The most common fears that children have is that they won't ever see their friends again. Let them know that they can still play with their friends (providing they are a good influence), and that they can still see friends at activities.

It helps if you let them know all of the benefits to them of homeschooling like:

• Less school hours
• No homework
• More fun field trips
• Freedom in choosing when to do school and taking extra vacations
• Not having to wake up so early to go to school
• Not being trapped indoors at school all day
• New friends
• More activities

The older your children are when you begin home schooling, the more difficult this transition can be.

If your children are older, make sure you provide ways for them to meet other home schooled kids their age. The pre-teen and teenage kids are the hardest to adjust to home schooling because socializing has become so important at this point. Plan for this ahead of time to make the change as easy as possible for the entire family.

Step #7

If you have taken care of Steps #1-#6, you are ready.

You CAN do this!

Take it one day at a time...don't let little problems overwhelm you. Tomorrow is always a new day!