10 things to consider before you homeschool
Homeschooling has been around for a long time, but recently is becoming more popular among parents. There are many reasons to homeschool your children. Before you consider homeschooling here are 5 things to think about.
1. Homeschool Laws- if you ever plan on entering your child into a regular school, you may want to check with the homeschool laws in your state. Do you have to keep records or transcripts? This is when the law is important so that way you won’t be surprised when it is time to register your child at school.
2. Curriculum- what type of curriculum do you want to use? Do your research on what needs your family has before buying a curriculum. See if the company offers samples so you can get an idea of what will be expected.
3. Social interaction- besides your own children, when will your children interact with others? Think about signing them up for recreational center classes, public library events, or religious activities. One of the arguments for a traditional school setting is the fact that children learn to socialize. Children can learn to socialize in many environments, so think about how you will incorporate it into your homeschool.
4. Non-traditional Learning- one of the benefits of homeschooling is you can cater learning to your child’s interests. If they are interested in calligraphy, you may consider purchasing a calligraphy book. Again check with your local recreation center, since they usually offer affordable classes. Or think about getting books from the library or online resources in assisting you.
5. Time Schedule- you do want your child to learn. The benefit of homeschooling is you can set your own time. Will you homeschool from 8-12 noon? 9-1pm? Think of a realistic time schedule that you can set and follow with your child. Staying organized and on a schedule keeps you on track of what you need to learn.
6. Standards-along with a curriculum think about the learning standards you will follow. Most states are Common Core states, and a few states have their own standards. Decide if you want to follow these standards in your homeschool. One of the reasons why you would consider incorporating the standards of your state is that if your child were to return to a traditional school, or to prepare them for college you would want to make sure they were ready. Teachers use standards in order to decide what they need to teach their students.
7. Goals- Yes, set your homeschool goals. What is your motivation for homeschool? Remember and post your homeschool goals and share them with your child. Whenever you don’t feel like homeschooling, refer back to your goals and mission statement. Many schools have a vision statement or motto that they use. For example, we strive to produce learners for the 21st century.
8. Child’s attitude- does your child want to be homeschooled? Even if you have already decided on homeschooling, include your child in the discussion about homeschooling. It is much easier to teach a motivated child then a child who doesn’t want to learn. Just by including your child in the field trip or special learning experiences (such as learning Japanese) will show them the benefit of homeschooling.
9. Support-everyone needs support. Check to see if there are any local homeschool groups or coops to join. Just by having that support will make it easier for you in your homeschool journey.
10. Acceptance- accept that some lessons don’t go as planned. Learning can be frustrating if your child has difficulty with a certain subject. Accept that you are doing your best and work towards improvement.
What else should a mom consider before homeschooling? Leave a comment below.