Jump into homeschooling with the simple action steps in our Quickstart Guide to Homeschooling! (If you aren't familiar with homeschooling, start with "What is Homeschooling?")
There are two types of people when it comes to starting something new—the kind that jump in feet first, and the kind that research and read and research some more. For the researcher, we have our "Get Started Homeschooling Guide," and for those wanting to just jump in, we have this, the "Quickstart Guide to Homeschooling."
Quickstart for New Homeschoolers
- Read about deschooling
- Deschool
- Then start homeschooling
- Don't consider "summer" to be your deschooling time (it's also not necessarily an ideal time for a trial period of homeschooling—it's just summer)
- Read the rest of this article
Quickstart for All Homeschoolers, New and Returning
- Be legal
- Consider starting slowly this year
- A few days a week
- A short time each day
- Evaluate homeschooling based on your children's response
- Are they engaged?
- What can you change to increase engagement?
- Are you meeting them where they are? or where you wish they were? Adjust.
- Find your people. Attend or create a social event:
- A Not Back to School event
- A park day
- A homeschool group activity
- A parents' night out or moms' night out
- A social media group for your area
- A homeschool field trip
- Think on these homeschooling truths:
- The desire to learn and knowing how to learn will be more important than accumulated facts or skills.
- There are no educational emergencies.
- There is no homeschool guarantee.
Quickstart for Unschoolers
- Remember unschooling is not un-everything.
- How will you partner with your child?
- How will guide your child?
- How will you facilitate for your child?
- How will you respect your child's personhood?
- Keep deschooling.
- Live! Learn! Love!
Curriculum
Notice I didn't mention curriculum to anybody.
That's because most of you all think the curriculum is the most important thing anyway, so you're all obsessing over choosing curriculum, and you don't need a reminder.
So instead of a reminder to choose a curriculum, let me offer you the article "How to Choose the Best Homeschool Curriculum," which explains the many things to consider when choosing a curriculum. Maybe you don't even need one!
You might also like the free homeschool planners by TheHomeSchoolMom. They work for a variety of homeschooling styles as well as helping you plan other household activities that are important to a homeschooling family.
Homeschooling is Not School
Finally, to everyone, remember that homeschooling is not school. Make homeschooling your own, and make it about connecting with your children, which is what provides the context for all the learning!
Many of us have a school model of education in our minds because that's how we grew up. Experienced homeschoolers know, there are many "school things" that homeschoolers do not have to do.
Enjoy your children, and aim for them to enjoy learning. Anything less won't provide the full benefit of homeschooling.
What You Need to Know to Start Homeschooling
Want more information? Visit our homeschool blog, where you can find hundreds of posts on dozens of topics related to homeschooling!
I'm Considering to start this home schooling journey for my 4 children 7 year old son in grade 2 and my 10 year old son in grade 4th and my 11 in half year old son starting 7th grade and my 14th year old daughter going in to the grade 8th
So two of my children have IEP and my other son have a 504 form that Requires additional special education education recommendations so how do I get start with the homeschooling for my children
Hi Shante - each state sets their own education regulations, so your questions about IEP & 504 resources would be better answered by the homeschool organization in your state. While federal law requires that states find and evaluate students needing special education resources, state law may or may not provide resource access to students outside of the public school system. Knowing what the law is will allow you to ask for the resources to which your students are entitled and fit it in with your other homeschooling plans. For more information on homeschooling itself, please visit our Homeschooling 101 resources (linked in the main navigation menu). Best wishes on your homeschool journey!
I am a semi-retired math teacher interested in offering tutoring to home schooling groups. I’m not sure how to connect with them here. Can you help? Thank you!
Hi Tonya,
Check out our local and state resources. You may want to advertise or exhibit at state conferences or offer a free workshop for homeschoolers in your community. Most homeschoolers arrange tutoring on an individual basis rather than through homeschool groups. Some teachers form classes for homeschoolers, which can be well-attended if you live in a place where there is a large enough population of homeschoolers. It basically works like any other business: create a website, network to find potential local customers, advertise, provide a good service, and count on referrals from satisfied parents. In addition to perusing our local listings, you might also ask at your library if they know who the local homeschool leaders are. You could talk with them about how to reach homeschoolers in your area.
Good luck!
Jeanne
I am a homeschooling parent and reading these posts has really inspired me to get the ball rolling. I am dedicating my time and efforts into starting an organization that caters to families that homeschool. Families need a safe haven they can go to when first starting out and when they become discouraged. I believe homeschooling should be an enjoyment not a horror.
Hi Dysheme,
I'm glad you are feeling inspired. I moved frequently while homeschooling and started various homeschooling groups and volunteered for state organizations that were doing good work to help homeschooling families. There are homeschooling co-ops and homeschool resource centers that do cater to families that homeschool. They may provide information, classes, activities, and encouragement for parents. I hope you will find a role in supporting homeschooling that fits you well. I'm so grateful for the people who helped me during our homeschool years, and I know there are others out there who could use your help in your community today.
Good luck!
Jeanne