Homeschooling is becoming an increasingly popular choice for more and more families. It allows for more control over classroom settings and curriculum, more opportunity for personalized instruction, and more control when it comes to choosing your child’s learning environment.
But before you decide to take the plunge and homeschool your child, there’s a lot to consider and prepare for. Here are 15 questions to ask yourself before you start homeschooling.
1. What is my motivation for homeschooling?
Before you make any decisions, it’s important to consider why you’re considering homeschooling. Are you concerned about the quality of school in your area? Are you looking for a more religious or spiritual learning experience than public schools can offer?
Or perhaps you simply want a more hands-on education for your children. Knowing the reasons why you’re considering homeschooling can help you make an informed and effective decision down the road.
2. Are there any homeschooling laws I need to be aware of?
Each state has different homeschooling laws and requirements. Many states allow for private homeschooling as long as the parents follow certain procedures and guidelines.
Some states may require you to work with a Registered Home Instruction Program, while others simply require that you give your local school district a letter of intent and follow certain recordkeeping requirements. Make sure you research what your state requires before you begin homeschooling.
3. What curriculum should I use for homeschooling?
Once you’ve decided that homeschooling is the best choice for your family, you’ll need to decide what curriculum you’ll use. You can purchase boxed curriculum or create your own curriculum by combining different materials.
There are also a wide variety of online curricula available, including free or low-cost options. Before you decide on a curriculum, make sure you research the different options and read reviews from experienced homeschoolers.
4. How much time will I devote to homeschooling?
Another important consideration is the amount of time that you’ll dedicate to homeschooling each day. Depending on the curriculum, generally, that amount of time could range anywhere from three to five hours.
Think about your own schedule and the amount of time you realistically have available to devote to teaching your children. You may need to look into part-time or online options if you’re unable to commit to a full-time homeschooling program.
5. Do I have the resources to homeschool?
Homeschooling can be expensive. Not only do you need to pay for curriculum and materials, but you may also need to pay for activities and field trips.
Homeschooling co-ops are also becoming increasingly popular, and you may need to pay for a membership. Make sure you create a budget of your projected expense and determine if you can afford them.
6. What methods of homeschooling might work best for my child?
Homeschooling comes in many forms. There’s the traditional homeschool model, a more self-directed approach called “unschooling,” and a combination of the two.
Some parents also prefer to follow online curriculum or enroll their children in online classes. Each approach has its pros and cons, so research each option and determine what will work best for your child and family.
7. How will I evaluate my child’s progress?
Homeschooling will require you to take a unique approach to assessing your child’s progress. You’ll need to decide on benchmarks and identify ways to track your child’s progress. You may need to create reports or assessments to determine if your child is meeting certain goals.
Discover any state-provided assessments or tests, as well as any other standard tests that you can use to evaluate your child’s progress.
8. What subjects should I teach?
The subjects you’ll want to teach will depend on your child’s age and ability. Generally, the school curriculum consists of language arts, math, science, and social studies.
However, not all homeschoolers choose to teach all of these at each grade level. Schools also typically offer foreign languages, art, music, and physical education, so think about which fields you’d like to cover in your homeschooling program.
9. Will I need to teach multiple grades at once?
Depending on the number of children you’re homeschooling, you may need to teach multiple grades at once. Teaching more than one grade can be a challenge, but with the right tools and organization, it can be done.
One solution is to stagger teaching times so that each child can have your individual attention for a portion of the day.
10. What activities can I integrate into my homeschool program?
Homeschooling can open up a wide range of opportunities. Think about what interests your child and make sure they have the chance to explore those interests. Consider extracurricular activities like sports teams, music lessons, art classes, or clubs.
You may also want to consider virtual field trips or community engagement projects to help your child learn with hands-on activities.
11. How do I find or form a homeschooling community?
Even though you’ll be homeschooling your children, you don’t need to go it alone. There are a wide variety of homeschool support networks, as well as online forums and networks that you can reach out to for advice and support. You can also get together with other homeschool families to share resources and arrange for cooperative learning opportunities.
12. How will I structure our days and weeks?
Homeschooling requires you to think about how and when you’ll be teaching each subject. Consider creating a schedule for the entire year and breaking that schedule down into chunks and blocks for each day and week. You may also want to plan for a few days of rest and relaxation for yourself and your child.
13. How will I manage my child’s distractions?
It’s essential to create a learning environment that is free from distractions. Depending on your situation and the age of your children, you may need to create a dedicated space or have rules in place for when and how your children can access their devices. Make sure you create a plan for managing distraction so that your homeschool environment remains conducive to learning.
14. What support will I need for homeschooling?
Homeschooling isn’t easy, and it can often feel like you’re going it alone. Consider reaching out to other homeschool families or joining homeschooling support groups. Also, don’t be afraid to seek out experts and professionals when it comes to during certain hands-on activities.
15. How will I stay accountable while homeschooling?
Homeschooling can often feel like an isolated endeavor. However, holding yourself accountable is essential for success. Consider partnering with a local homeschool group or an online homeschool community to establish accountability.
You may also want to consult with a qualified teacher or educational coach to help you develop effective homeschooling strategies.
Conclusion
Homeschooling can be a rewarding and fulfilling experience, but it also requires preparation and forethought. Consider the 15 questions outlined in this article before deciding to homeschool your child.
With careful planning and dedication, you’ll be able to create a successful homeschool environment for your child.