How to Start Homeschooling

Homeschooling has grown more popular in recent years as more families take control of how their children learn, what they learn, and their pace of learning. If you're thinking about homeschooling your child and want to know about the homeschool curriculum options available to you, this guide will tell you all you need to know. We'll take you through the basics, explain why homeschooling is so popular, and answer some common questions.

What Is Homeschooling?

Very simply, homeschooling is when parents or guardians take charge of their child's education instead of sending them to a public school or private school. Learning still happens, but it takes place in a home-based environment. Parents usually follow a set curriculum, create their own lessons, or use a mix of both.

Homeschooling is flexible. Some families have a strict daily schedule that looks similar to a traditional school classroom environment, while others have a more relaxed approach. The beauty of homeschooling is that parents can shape it to fit each child's needs.

Homeschooling, when supported by the right resources, is also a powerful tool for empowering children and building their confidence. By tailoring the learning experience to their individual needs and interests, homeschooling creates a deeper connection with the learning materials. 

With a rich array of resources, students are encouraged to become enlightened, gaining knowledge beyond textbooks, insightful, developing critical thinking skills, and wise, learning how to apply knowledge to real-life situations. 

This personalized approach nurtures self-directed learning, boosts their self-esteem, and cultivates a sense of ownership over their education. Ultimately, homeschooling can equip children with the tools to thrive intellectually and emotionally.

The Benefits of Homeschooling

Homeschooling isn't just about doing school at home. It's about freedom, flexibility, and learning in a way that really fits your child. Here are a few benefits of homeschooling:

Learning At Your Own Pace

Children don't all learn at the same speed. Homeschooling lets your child move faster in some subjects and slow down in others. There's no rushing, no pressure, and no competition to keep up with a whole class.

Stronger Family Bonds

Homeschooling families spend more time together. They share more experiences. When homeschooling, you really get to know your child's strengths, weaknesses, struggles, and interests. Many families say this is the biggest gift of homeschooling.

Flexible Schedules

Attention parents: you don't have to wake up at 6 a.m. if that doesn't work for your family. You can plan school around your lifestyle.

Personalized Learning

Homeschooling means you can shape lessons to fit your child's style. Some kids love hands-on projects. Some love reading, others love moving around while they learn. You get to choose what works best. With resources from the Tuttle Twins, your child can explore their interests, whether it’s American history, economics, or anything in between, in an engaging way.

A Safe Learning Space

Homeschooling is one of the best ways to reach educational goals with the best support systems in place. It's a great option for children to discover their abilities in a safe and non-judgmental space.

Closer Community Connections

Kids who homeschool have access to some of the best support groups. Homeschoolers often join co-ops, sports teams, and clubs where they can meet friends of different ages, and not just kids in the same grade. Public school is not always the answer, and finding other homeschoolers and resources can make the journey easier.

Steps to Start Homeschooling

Starting homeschooling might sound overwhelming, but breaking it down into steps makes it much easier.

1. Learn Your Local Laws

This very first step is to research homeschooling laws in your state or country. Each place has its own rules. Some states are more flexible, while others have more requirements and regulations, like keeping records, instruction, sending reports, or registering with local authorities.

2. Decide on Your Approach

Homeschooling is not a one-size-fits-all. Some of the more popular approaches include:

• Traditional curriculum options, such as using textbooks and lesson plans that resemble school at home.
• Unit studies, where students learn one theme at a time across all subjects.
• Unschooling by letting the child's interests lead the way in learning.
• Charlotte Mason, Montessori, or Classical methods are more structured methods that many families prefer.

3. Choose Your Curriculum or Resources

Once you've decided on your approach, you can choose materials. These include:

• Full homeschool curricula you can buy
• Free online resources, including guides and books, like the Tuttle Twins books for teens, that you can use to guide your child's education.
• Local libraries, museums, and community classes.
• Educational apps and online programs.

4. Create a Schedule

Some families follow a school-style schedule. Others prefer a more flexible plan. Try different rhythms and see what works best for your child and family. You might just find that your child learns better in the morning or prefers shorter lessons spread out during the day.

5. Set up a Learning Space

Homeschooling doesn't need a fancy classroom. A table, some shelves, and a quiet space work perfectly. What matters most is making sure your child has a space to focus.

6. Connect with Other Families

A homeschool journey can feel lonely, especially if you try to do it alone. A homeschool community is the perfect solution, and these are growing everywhere. There are also homeschool groups where parents take turns teaching, or connect via online communities where resources and support are shared.

7. Be Flexible and Adjust

The first year of homeschooling is often about trial and error. You may try one curriculum and find it doesn't fit your child, and that's okay. One of the best things about homeschooling is adjusting, finding exactly what works for you and your child, and trying again.

The Cons of Homeschooling

Homeschooling has a lot of benefits, but it's not all sunshine and freedom. Like anything else, it comes with challenges. If you're thinking about homeschooling, it's good to look at the other side too. Here are some of the cons that you should know about:

Time Commitment

Homeschooling takes a lot of time. Parents have to plan lessons, teach, and keep things running. It often feels like a full-time job on top of everything else.

Money Matters

Homeschooling can cost money for books, curricula, or activities. If one parent stays home to teach, it means less income for the family.

Social Worries

Some parents worry their kids won't make enough friends or connect with their peers. Kids aren't in a classroom with other children, so parents have to work harder to find social opportunities.

College and Testing Concerns

Homeschooling parents worry about how homeschooling will affect future exams or college applications. While they do get into college, it takes a little extra planning and finding detailed information on how to go about it.

Why You Should Consider Homeschooling

Homeschooling is a great option for families who want more control over their child's education. You get to focus on basic subjects like reading, writing, math, and science, but you can also add creative lessons that go beyond the constraints of a classroom.

Your child doesn't have to be locked into one grade level. Homeschooling lets them develop at their own pace instead of being pushed when they’re not ready or held back. You also have the freedom to choose a curriculum that matches your child's style and gets them on the right path to a great education.

The freedom that comes with homeschooling is why so many families are choosing it today.

FAQs

What Is the Best Age to Start Homeschooling?

There is no right or best age to start. Some families start with preschool, teaching colors, shapes, and simple numbers at home. Other families wait until their child is older and facing challenges in school before making a change and taking that leap into homeschooling. The best time to start is when it feels right for your child and family. Many parents say the earlier you start, the easier it is to build a learning routine, but it can begin at any age.

Where Do Homeschoolers Take Exams?

This all depends on your location and your local school district. In some places, homeschoolers must take standardized tests at a public school or testing centers. In others, testing is optional, and it's up to the parents to decide how to measure their child's progress. For older students, high school exams and college entrance tests like the SAT or ACT are taken at approved testing centers, just like more traditional school students.

What Is the Easiest State to Homeschool In?

Some states are more relaxed than others when it comes to homeschool laws. States like the Texas education agency are often the easiest because they require very little reporting or government oversight of their child's homeschooling. Alaska and Oklahoma, too, are easier. Other states, like New York or Pennsylvania, have stricter rules and more paperwork to deal with. It's important to read the laws in your own state.

How Much Does Homeschooling Cost?

The cost of homeschooling varies a lot. Some families spend less than $100 a year by using resources like the Tuttle Twins Academy, library books, and homemade lessons. Other homeschooling families spend hundreds or even thousands of dollars on full curricula, online classes, or tutoring. But, on average, most homeschooling families say they spend between $300 and $800 per year per child. Homeschooling can be as affordable or as expensive as you make it, depending on your homeschool style.

Where Can Homeschoolers Find a Homeschool Community?

Homeschoolers can find a homeschool community through libraries, churches, community centers, their state department, and social media. Online homeschool communities are another option where families share tips, lesson ideas, and encouragement. Having a community for support makes homeschooling feel less overwhelming for children and gives them a chance to make friends.

Conclusion

Even with challenges, many families stick with homeschooling because the rewards are huge. Kids get a more personal education, reach their own educational goals, and spend more time on their passions.

Starting homeschooling may feel like a huge step, but thousands of families do it every year and thrive. The most important things are learning the rules in your state, finding resources that fit your child, and staying flexible as you adjust. Remember, it's not about recreating school at home - it's about creating an education that works best for your child and your family.