How To Start Homeschooling

Last Updated on January 22, 2024 by Allison Lancaster

When you are considering homeschooling, you may have a thousand questions. Don’t worry, you are not alone in this! Here’s some top tips for how to start homeschooling your child.

If you are considering homeschooling this coming school year, or you are faced with having to homeschool due to school closings, you are not alone. You may be feeling fear, panic, worry, and wondering if you are ready for this. Trust me, you are.

First of all, remember that they are YOUR children and you know them best. While you may need some help teaching them more advanced things, you can still do this. If you are starting kindergarten at home, here’s the best things to start with.

Don’t panic if you feel your child will be behind their peers.

Your baby didn’t learn to walk, talk, or use the toilet at the same time as their peers, and they will learn other things on their own schedule. Those books “What Your Child Needs To Know When” are a great help for you, but remember that most 5 year olds do not read them.

Make learning fun.

Take this time to just enjoy the love of learning. Read a lot of books with them. If your state needs you to follow certain protocols or homeschool curriculum, , try “5 In A Row” for your younger students.

This curriculum starts with a book you read each day. Every day that you read it, you do a different activity that will allow you to track language, spelling, writing, art, science and even history skills. Once you get the hang of it, you can choose any book you want and follow that pattern.

Use real life examples to teach

For example, when you are a beginner homeschooler, you don’t need a lot of expensive books and tools for success. Teach math like addition and subtraction by counting dried beans, or macaroni. Have your kids help you cook or bake simple items that will show them science and math.

Use local zoos and museums as field trips.

Just because you aren’t in public school doesn’t mean your child needs to miss out on those fun times. As a matter of fact, the most successful homeschool students know the zoos or museums very well. They can be a fun place to learn. Often the memberships are cheap enough that it will make it easy on every budget.

Study animals at the zoo, and learn about them in books. Teach letters of the alphabet and writing by picking one animal a week and working on it. This is a great way to also teach sight words such as “zebra”, “camel”, and “bird”.

Utilize the library often

When you are homeschooling your elementary students, the library can be your best friend. Books, and movies can be borrowed for free to help round out your homeschool program.

Your local librarian can also be a great source for books, and book series that may interest your child and get them to love reading.

Get involved in your homeschool community

Get to know a homeschool group that will help support you. They will often be sources of help, answers, and can provide that much needed “socialization” for both the child and the homeschool mom. (don’t forget-you need time with friends, too!)

Veteran local homeschoolers can also trade curriculum and help you understand your child’s learning style. Talk with the moms of kids who are older, maybe junior or high school. They can help reassure you that you are on the right road. They will remember how they felt when they started out and be a source of comfort when you are concerned.