How to Start Homeschooling

Once you have made the decision to homeschool, follow these simple steps to start homeschooling.

1. Find out your State's Homeschooling Laws.

The first thing you should do is find out your state's homeschooling laws. Each state varies in its treatment of the following requirements:

• compulsory school age
• attendance
• subjects
• notification/reporting
• record keeping, and
• testing/evaluation.

Some states have strict requirements that must be followed, and some states have no requirements at all. For more information about your state's laws, visit the Homeschool Legal Defense Association.

2. Select a Homeschooling Method.

Think about your goals for your child, and how your he or she best receives and processes information. Choose a method of instruction that meets your family's needs and caters to your child's primary learning style. The following methods are popular among homechoolers:

• Charlotte Mason
• classical
• eclectic
• Montessori
• relaxed
• textbook/workbook
• unschooling
• unit studies, and
• Waldorf

Here are some descriptions of various homeschooling methods, along with suggested resources for further study.

3. Choose a Homeschooling Curriculum

Look for a homeschool curriculum that fits your chosen method of instruction. Do an online search, browse homeschool catalogs, attend a home school curriculum fair, or get suggestions from other homeschoolers. Here are some tips for choosing a homeschooling curriculum.

4. Find a Homeschool Support Group.

Homeschool support groups provide parents with information and encouragement, and provide children with opportunities for social interaction. Many homeschool support groups sponsor field trips, park days, science fairs, spelling bees, co-ops, and other activities.

Homeschooling groups can be centered around a certain religion, teaching method, curriculum or activity, or they can be inclusive of all homeschoolers. Groups also vary in level of organization and frequency of activity. Some groups have meetings that have structured agendas and featured speakers, and some groups meet at a restaurant to chat.

When looking for a group, be clear about the type of support you are seeking. Here are some tips for starting your own homeschooling support group if you can't find one in your area that meets your family's needs. You can also find support in an online homeschool forum.

5. Enjoy your Homeschool Journey.

Educating one's children is an enormous responsibility, and at times it can feel intimidating. Your children are only young for a short time, and these early years are meant to be enjoyed.

If you begin to feel homeschool burnout, take a break from formal study. Have a picnic in the park, go on a field trip, or set your chosen curriculum aside and do a fun project as a family.

Instead of cramming your child's head with facts and vocabulary, focus on instilling character, self-confidence and a love for learning. These traits, combined with the basics in reading, writing and arithmetic, will give your child to tools needed to learn anything he or she wants to know.

For a peek at my family's homeschooling adventures, visit my homeschool blog.