How to Begin Homeschooling

Starting the homeschooling journey can seem daunting at first, especially if you're new to the concept. However, with a clear plan and understanding of the necessary steps, you can create a supportive and effective learning environment for your child at home. This guide will walk you through the necessary steps to help you get started so that you can confidently embark on your homeschooling journey, ensuring a well-rounded and personalized education for your child.

Research Homeschooling Laws

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Start by researching the homeschooling laws and regulations in your area. Each Province, State and Country has different requirements for homeschooling, including registration, curriculum standards, and assessment. It’s important to understand the legalities of home education in your area before you begin, but also understand that laws can change over time. Staying informed about current laws and potential changes helps you adapt your homeschooling approach and remain compliant with new regulations. 
 

Questions to Ask and Things to Consider

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• What are the legal requirements related to mandatory subjects, hours of instruction, and standardized testing?  Being knowledgeable about and compliant with homeschool laws helps establish the legitimacy of your homeschooling program to outside parties, such as colleges, employers, and educational authorities.

• Are there penalties or fines if compliance isn’t fulfilled?

• What are the legalities around choosing curriculum? Do children have to meet certain standards, and if so, how are these measured?

• What documentation (paperwork or record-keeping) is required in my area? Do I have to write a program plan, maintain attendance logs, create portfolios of student work, and write annual progress reports? Will I be required to meet with a school representative at certain times of the year? Is this person available to support me with my questions, resources, and program implementation? Understanding the legal requirements helps you keep accurate and necessary documentation.

• What resources and support are offered in my area? Is there access to funding, educational services, materials, classes, or special education support?

• What are the laws for returning to a brick-and-mortar school? If you plan to transition your child back to a traditional school at some point, knowing the homeschool laws ensures that your child’s homeschooling experience will be recognized and accepted by the school system.

• What are my parental rights? Understanding your legal rights as a homeschooling parent helps you advocate for your family's educational choices and protect against any potential challenges or misunderstandings with educational authorities.

• Are there special requirements for my child’s specific needs? Some places may have specific requirements for special needs students or those pursuing vocational education. Knowing these laws ensures that you can provide the necessary accommodations and opportunities for your child.

 

Set Educational Goals

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Define clear educational goals for your child. Consider what you want them to achieve academically, socially, and personally. This will guide your curriculum choices and teaching approach. Writing educational goals for a homeschooled child is a crucial step in creating a structured and effective learning experience. These goals provide a clear roadmap for what you aim to achieve in your child's education, encompassing academic, social, and personal development. Begin by assessing your child's strengths, interests, and areas needing improvement, then set specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) objectives. Educational goals should be flexible to adapt to your child's evolving needs and progress, while also aligning with any legal requirements in your area. By setting well-defined goals, you can tailor your curriculum and teaching methods to ensure a comprehensive and personalized educational journey that fosters your child's growth and success.
 

Choose a Homeschooling Method/Philosophy

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There are various homeschooling methods that encompass a wide range of styles, focuses and methodologies. Before you begin, you may want to explore different methods to find one that aligns with your educational philosophy and your goals. Click here to learn about some of the common Homeschool Methods.

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Select Curriculum and Resources

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Choose a curriculum that fits your goals and homeschooling method. There are many options available, from pre-packaged curricula to online programs and community classes. Remember that you will likely need to assess and establish your child’s current academic abilities (strengths and weaknesses) before choosing materials. Consider how you will teach all of the main academic areas: Math, Science, Social Studies (History, Geography), Language Arts (Reading, Writing, Spelling, Grammar, Vocabulary), as well as Physical Education and Wellness. Although there are boxed curricula available, it’s much more common for homeschool families to mix and match resources. For more information about curricular resources and materials, click here.

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Create a Routine and/or Schedule

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Develop a daily and weekly routine that works for your family. Consider your child’s natural rhythms and the subjects you plan to cover. Be flexible and open to adjusting the schedule as needed. For an excellent explanation of the difference between a homeschool routine and a homeschool schedule, listen to the following podcast.  

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Organize Your Learning Space

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Ignore the picture-perfect, curated images of homeschool spaces that you see on Instagram! You don’t need to have a dedicated room in your home, buy furniture or re-decorate – most families use the kitchen table! Your space should include a table and chair, be comfortable, well-lit, and free from distractions. Remember, though, that your child may prefer to read in a comfy chair, or outside at the park on a sunny day. Homeschooling doesn't have to look like a desk and a chair indoors if that doesn't work for your child, and you don't have to have just one place to learn. Learning happens everywhere! Ensure you have the necessary supplies such as books, a computer, and educational materials and experiment with seating arrangements!

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Connect with Others

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Local and online homeschool communities can provide support, resources, and social opportunities for both you and your child. They can also offer advice and answer questions you might have. If you’re not sure how to find local groups, start by searching Facebook (or other social media) with the key terms Homeschool or Homeschoolers + the name of your city or region.
 

Plan for Socialization

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One of parents' biggest fears about homeschooling is a lack of socialization, but parents need not worry. As long as you're involved in activities outside the home and actively (and consistently) engaging in extra-curriculars and other social settings, your child will have plenty of opportunities to interact. Socialization comes from engaging with people of all ages, not just same-age peers as in traditional schools. These varied interactions can provide rich social experiences and help children develop strong communication skills. The challenge for homeschool families is that parents must take full responsibility to ensure their child has chances to interact with peers and join social activities. Unlike traditional schools, where socialization happens without parent involvement, homeschooling requires parents to actively seek out and arrange these interactions. Unless you already know a lot of homeschooling families in your area (and even if you do), it will be up to you to seek out and join (or create) socialization opportunities that are right for your child(ren). Consider a variety of playdates, sports, extracurricular classes, and community events to find what works for your family. Finding like-minded homeschooling parents can be equally daunting, but it's important for you to find friends, too! We recommend that you get out as often as possible and try as many new activities as you can in order to build community and find other homeschooling friends! You may enjoy hearing more on this topic from Julie Bogart and the Brave Learner Podcast. 

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Monitor Progress and Adapt

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Regularly assess your child’s progress through informal assessments (conversations, discussions), quizzes, and/or standardized tests (if required). Be aware of your child’s abilities and where your child started (were they struggling or excelling?) and gauge their progress based on individual improvements. Be prepared to assess and adapt your own teaching and instruction based on what is working well and what needs improvement.

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Stay Informed and Flexible

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Homeschooling is a dynamic process. Stay informed about new educational resources, methods, and legal requirements. Be flexible and open to making changes to better meet your child’s needs and interests.