Homeschooling is becoming increasingly popular in many countries, and with good reason. It gives parents more control over their children’s education, while also providing a more personalized approach. But, what exactly does a parent need to get started?
In this article, we will answer that question by looking at fifteen things a parent should consider when beginning their journey towards homeschooling.
1. Whose Responsibility is it?
The first thing a parent should consider when homeschooling their child is who is ultimately responsible for the success or failure of their educational outcomes. As a homeschooling parent, your child’s education is fully in your hands. You need to stay organized, assess your child’s progress, and take responsibility for their academic success or failure.
You are also ultimately responsible for the resources and curriculum that you decide to use, and so you should take the time to research what will work best for your individual family setup.
2. What is the Best Curriculum?
Choosing the right curriculum to use when homeschooling is one of the most important decisions a parent can make. There are many different options out there, including online platforms, traditional textbooks, and hybrid versions of both. It is important to understand your child’s learning style, their goals, and your own wishes as a parent when it comes to choosing the right curriculum.
There is no one-size-fits-all option when it comes to homeschooling, so be prepared to make the best decision for your individual situation.
3. What Type of Record Keeping is Needed?
As a homeschooling parent, one of your biggest responsibilities is to provide proof of your child’s educational progress and any extracurricular activities they may be involved in. It is important to keep detailed and organized records of your child’s schooling and activities so that you can provide them if needed. This could be in the form of a portfolio that includes transcripts, tests, and activities they have completed over the course of their schooling.
4. How Much Time Should be Spent on Each Subject?
When homeschooling your child it is important to determine how much of their day should be spent on academics versus other activities. This will vary from family to family, but generally speaking, having a consistent daily routine is beneficial for both your child and yourself.
You can decide how much time should be allocated for each subject or academic area, and when breaks and free time can be taken.
5. When Should Assessment Take Place?
Assessment is an important element of homeschooling, and it is important to decide when assessment should take place. The frequency of assessment will depend on the age of your child, their learning needs, and the type of curriculum you are using.
Frequency could range from weekly to monthly tests, or even more often if needed. Assessment will help you ensure your child is keeping up with their studies, and it can give you an understanding of their progress and any areas they may need help with.
6. What Additional Resources Are Needed?
In order to ensure that your child is properly homeschooled, you should create a list of additional resources that will be needed. These may include library books, online resources, or even physical materials depending on the type of curriculum you are using.
It is important that you have a comprehensive list of these resources so that you can easily access them when needed. Additionally, these resources should be tailored to your individual family’s goals and learning needs.
7. How Should Socialization Be Handled?
One of the most common concerns of homeschooling parents is how to handle their child’s socialization. It is important to remember that socialization does not need to take place within a traditional school setting in order for your child to have meaningful interactions with their peers. Many homeschooling families have chosen to form co-ops, take advantage of homeschooling curriculum offerings, or even form their own homeschooling groups to facilitate social interaction.
8. What Support is Available?
It is important to remember that no parent is alone in their journey towards homeschooling. There are numerous forms of support available to homeschooling families, including local, regional, and even national support groups. These groups are an excellent way to connect with other homeschooling families and receive advice, support, or even motivation in your journey towards homeschooling.
Additionally, many states have educational consultants and tutors available to provide additional support to homeschooling families.
9. How Should Extracurricular Activities be Handled?
Extracurricular activities provide an excellent way to supplement your child’s educational experience while also providing them with fun, social activities. When homeschooling, it is important to decide where and how your child will have access to extracurricular activities.
Many local libraries, parks, and community centers have options available, and you should also research what is available online or through external venues. You can also network with other homeschooling families to find opportunities that may be specific to homeschooling.
10. How Will Evaluation Be Conducted?
Evaluation is an important part of any educational program. As a homeschooling parent, it is important to decide how evaluation will be conducted. You can choose to have your child sit for standardized tests or create your own evaluation system.
However, you choose to evaluate your child’s progress, it is important to ensure that you are being fair, consistent, and providing accurate feedback to help them reach their goals.
11. Who Will Monitor Progress?
When homeschooling, it is important to have someone to monitor and ensure that your child is actually making progress in their studies. This can be another family member, an outside tutor, or you as the parent.
It is important to ensure that someone is checking in regularly to ensure that your child is staying on track and making meaningful progress.
12. What Safety Measures Need to Be Implemented?
Safety is an important aspect to think about when homeschooling. You should consider the types of safety measures that need to be in place, such as Internet safety policies, rules for physical safety, and communication protocols. It is important to understand how to keep your child safe both online and offline so that your homeschooling experience remains positive for everyone involved.
13. Is Homeschooling Legal in Your State?
It is important to research the laws and regulations in your state when it comes to homeschooling. Each state has different requirements, and you should familiarize yourself with these before embarking on your homeschooling journey.
Understanding the laws and regulations in your state will help ensure that your child is receiving a proper education in a way that is legal and compliant.
14. What Other Considerations Should be Made?
There are many other considerations a parent should make when homeschooling their child. Depending on the area you live in, there may be extenuating circumstances that need to be taken into account. This could include special needs or religious beliefs.
It is important to factor these in and make sure that your child’s educational needs are taken care of and that they will still receive a quality education.
15. Are There Any Resources to Help With the Homeschooling Process?
Luckily, there are many resources available to help parents navigate the homeschooling process. You can find curriculum materials, support groups, or even online courses to help make your journey smoother. Additionally, there are many books, websites, and articles dedicated to giving tips and advice to parents who are homeschooling their children.
Conclusion
Homeschooling is an excellent way for a parent to provide their child with a unique and individualized education. However, in order to ensure that the process goes smoothly, there are many considerations that need to be taken into account. In this article, we have answered fifteen questions surrounding the homeschooling process that any parent should consider before they embark on their journey.