Homeschooling Your Children? Here’s What You’ll Need

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Homeschooling is becoming increasingly popular and there are now over two million children being homeschooled across the US. It involves educating your children at home instead of sending them to a public or private school.

There are many reasons why parents choose to homeschool their children. Whether it’s disappointment in the state education facilities or their own beliefs around education.

Some parents choose to pull their children out of public and private schools halfway through their education when they feel that their kids aren’t progressing as they should be.

If you’ve been thinking about homeschooling your children, there are a few things you need to know before you start. It can be a complex process and it’s important to do your research before you commit to becoming your children’s teacher.

Homeschooling is legal in every state but each of the 50 states has unique rules that you need to follow. Let’s take a look at what steps you need to take to ensure that you follow the laws and set up the perfect homeschooling system for your children.

Gather Your Resources

Homeschooling will look different for everybody and the way you go about it will completely depend on your child’s unique needs.

If your child has already partially been through their education in a state school, you might be able to get some educational resources from their previous teachers. In this scenario, you might also be able to start your kid’s lessons on a more advanced level.

For those of you who are homeschooling from preschool age, you might need to do a little more research regarding the types of resources you’re going to need. Toddlers are going through the most important years of their cognitive and social development, so it’s important that you provide the right resources to support their growth.

No matter what age your child is when you begin homeschooling them, you won’t be short on resources. From kindergarten homeschool curriculum packages all the way up to university level, you can find lots of great physical and virtual materials.

Make sure to use everything that is available to you for your child’s lessons. This includes the online pages and videos, as well as physical textbooks and workbooks that your child can use to write out calculations or draw.

You can also subscribe to some homeschooling magazines that will send out great learning resources each month. These magazines are the perfect supplementation to your lessons.

Get Support From Other Homeschoolers

When you are brand-new to homeschooling, it can be difficult knowing where to start. Luckily, there are lots of online groups and communities that you can join to get advice and guidance.

Online groups enable you to speak to other parents who may have been homeschooling for much longer than you. They can give you advice on what worked for them and what to avoid when it comes to homeschooling.

You can also use these groups to share resources. If you’ve found a particularly helpful online workbook or virtual class, you can spread the word.

There might also be a local homeschooling group that enables you to interact with like-minded people, share teaching tips, and learn about age-appropriate activities that your child can try out.

Check to see if you can find local sporting events or tutoring sessions that might be useful. These events will also give your child the opportunity to socialize with others their age.

Check The Homeschooling Laws

The homeschool rules and regulations differ depending on which state you live in. You will need to check these unique state regulations before you begin homeschooling to ensure you are complying with the law.

For example, some states will require you to keep an attendance record and submit quarterly reports. Others will require standardized testing.

If you are unsure about the exact rules of your stages, don’t be afraid to get in touch with a member of your local authorities to double-check what you need to do as a homeschooling parent.

You can also reach out to other homeschoolers in your community or ask people in online groups if they live nearby.

Create a Homeschooling Area in Your Home

It’s important to set aside a dedicated learning space in your home. Your child needs to be able to concentrate and focus on their schoolwork.

Find a room or area of your property that has enough space for the larger pieces of equipment, such as whiteboards, calendars, or computers. You’ll also need room for some cabinets and bookshelves, and a large table where they can sit to complete their work.

*This article is based on personal suggestions and/or experiences and is for informational purposes only. This should not be used as professional advice. Please consult a professional where applicable.