Once Mike and I made the decision to homeschool, I started researching curriculums and boy was I overwhelmed! I searched on Google, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter and that made it even worse. There are so many different types of homeschooling, curriculums and I was like where do I start, what do I do, and can I even do this.
Before you start homeschooling, there are three things you need to do. First you want to find out your homeschool laws for your state. The second thing you need to do is find out which of the 10 types of homeschooling you want to do or what fits your family better. The third thing you need to do is join or find a homeschool group in your area.
After I had a freak-out moment, I found a friend that I trusted who homeschooled and she pointed me in the right directions. I hope this helps point you in the right direction on what homeschooling is and how to start.
What do I do first?
First you want to find out your homeschool laws for your state. The best place to do that is Home School Legal Defense Association, HSLDA. The Home School Legal Defense Association is a nonprofit advocacy group that was started to defend and advocate for homeschooling families. They also promote homeschool legislation at state and federal levels. Their website is packed full of information and resources for homeschooling families.
Click Here to checkout the laws in your state.
What do I do second?
The second thing you need to do is find out which of the 10 types of homeschooling you want to do or what fits your family better.
10 Types of Homeschooling
- School-at-home Homeschooling is when you mimic public or private schools in your home. Most new homeschooling families start with this method until they figure out what works best for them. Most of the time, when you buy an All-In-One curriculum or School in a box this is the type of method you are doing. This is what works best for us, but it does not work well for everyone.
- Classical Homeschooling focuses on literature, poetry, drama, philosophy, history, art, and languages.
- Charlotte Mason Homeschooling was developed by Charlotte Mason. It places emphasis on literature and she even coined the phrase “Living books”. She believed in sparking the imagination of a child through subject matter.
- Montessori Homeschooling is also known as Montessori Method of Education. It was developed by Maria Montessori and her method focuses on the development of children, physically, socially, emotionally, and cognitively.
- Unschooling Homeschooling is informal learning where the student learns though life experiences. “The term “unschooling” was coined in the 1970s and used by educator John Holt, widely regarded as the father of Unschooling,” according to Wikipedia.
- Unit Studies Homeschooling is when math, spelling, science, art, history are taught on one single topic.
- Eclectic Homeschooling is when you pick and choose from many different books, websites, and so on to teach your children.
- Waldorf Homeschooling, also known as Steiner education is based on the students’ intellectual, artistic, and practical skills.
- Natural Learning Homeschooling according to Wikipedia, “Natural learning” refers to a type of learning-on-demand where children pursue knowledge based on their interests and parents take an active part in facilitating activities and experiences conducive to learning but do not rely heavily on textbooks or spend much time “teaching”, looking instead for “learning moments” throughout their daily activities.
- Informal learning Homeschooling or Self-Directed Homeschooling is learning that happens through everyday life participation and creation. Anything from planting a garden to baking a cake or even talking to a technician at work about the installation of new software can be considered informal learning are some examples from Wikipedia.
If you are not sure what will work best for your family, it is ok to change your homeschooling type depending on what works and what does not work with your children. All children are different and learn in different ways. As a first time homeschooling mom or dad you are not expected to know what will work the first day, first week or even the first year. All veteran homeschool moms and dads have learned through trial and error. I’ve been doing this for going on 7 years and I’m still learning something new everyday.
What do I do third?
The third thing you need to do is join or find a homeschool group in your area. Yes they are great for the kids to interact with others kids, but it is also a great resource for all homeschooling moms and dads.
When I was homeschooling my first year, I felt alone, confused, scared and worried I would mess everything up. Then I discovered a homeschool group with a great support system. As a homeschool mom, we need to be there for each other to encourage, lift up and help new homeschooling moms to not feel alone and disconnected.
My first year of homeschooling was the hardest year so far. I’m not saying I’m an expert and know it all. I’ve been homeschooling for six years and I’m always learning something new with the help of my homeschool support system. My homeschool support system is made up of my social media accounts and my local homeschool group. I’m thankful to these wonderful Moms that are always there to lend a helpful hand when I need it. It takes a village and I have been blessed with a great one!
With the help of the internet, a support system is just a few clicks away. If there is not a homeschool group near you, look into Facebook groups, homeschool blogs, and other social media groups. Moms do not have to be face to face to answer questions, encourage or offer help and homeschool tips. Facebook groups give us the ability to ask/answer questions from moms that have been there and done that. Reading homeschool blogs give us ideas we may want to try, because what we are currently doing may not be working. Social media allows us to help moms all over to not feel alone and let them know they are doing great!
If there is a homeschool group in your area, I encourage you to join and attend some of the events. The kids get to make new friends, learn new things and the moms get to start building a support system. There are no wrong, dumb, stupid or crazy questions. We have all been there and done that and “Got The T-Shirt” and will probably do it again. If we have not done it, then as a group, we can talk and figure out something that works or might help. We all want what is best for our children and will do whatever it takes to make it happen. Keep calm and homeschool on!
If you are reading this and feel like you are alone, discouraged, disconnected, and have no idea what you are doing, you are not alone. We all have felt like that at some point in our homeschool journey. Please reach out to a homeschool group, Facebook group or Google some homeschool blogs. Checkout our Facebook Group, Homeschool Mom Helping Homeschool Moms.
The following is advice from 10 different Moms that are currently Homeschooling.
- “Relax. There is no rush.”
- “Never give up”
- “The first year can make or break you!! DO NOT LET IT BREAK YOU!
If you are pulling them out of public school, BE PATIENT, it takes a good year to get them out of the mind frame of even simple things like actually being able to chew their food at lunch time.” - “Know your state laws first regarding homeschooling. Find a homeschooling group in your area to connect with. Don’t stress over trying to find the perfect curriculum because it doesn’t exist. What you plan with most likely not go as planned. Have fun! Enjoy your children and take one day at a time!”
- “Every child is different and learns at their own pace don’t rush it or stress about it.”
- “If you find that a curriculum isn’t working for your child, change it. Be real with your kids, I may not have all the answers but I have a God who does!”
- “Don’t compare yourself to others…just because it works for them doesn’t mean it will for your family. Also- follow the “recommended” guidelines for graduation if you want your child to attend a public university- especially if they don’t know where yet- i.e., Basically 4 English, 4 Math, 4 Science, 4 History…. You will notice that pretty much every public university in MS requires at least that. Everyone has an opinion and they all “know” everything— which means nothing. Do the research yourself. And Join HSLDA. :-)”
- “You can do it. My 1st year for kindergarten I was mortified that I was going to fail him as a teacher. He was reading mid kindergarten. Now in the middle of 3rd I feel so much better.”
- “Don’t listen to others who are misinformed on homeschooling. In fact make sure that when deciding to homeschool you are getting your information from reliable sources. I have some friends who are CONVINCED that if they don’t have an “accredited” curriculum that their children will need to get their GED. All because of listening to ones who know nothing about it. I didn’t even realize myself that most public schools aren’t even accredited. Whatever that even means. They won’t tell you that though.”
- “It may take 2-3yrs to find your groove…& every family’s groove is different. Listen to all the advice u can, however, only apply the advice that truly works for your family. This journey is full of trials & errors but it’s a beautiful journey that’s worth it all in the end. It’s not a sprint, it’s a marathon…we’re in it for the long haul. Also, if you’re planning to homeschool through high school, I recommend looking at college requirements more so or in addition to high school requirements.”
A special THANKS to these wonderful homeschooling Moms that helped me out on this post!
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