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How to Start Homeschooling: A Step-by-Step Guide for Parents

Writer's picture: Sarah MillerSarah Miller

Updated: Jan 11


How to start homeschooling


Homeschooling has become an increasingly popular choice for many families looking for personalized education options. Whether you're considering homeschooling for the first time or you’re in the early stages of planning, it can feel overwhelming. But don’t worry! With the right resources and guidance, you can easily navigate this journey. According to recent studies, over 3.5 million children in the U.S. are homeschooled, a number that has been steadily increasing in recent years. In this guide, we’ll explore at a high level everything you need to know to get started with homeschooling, including choosing the right curriculum, understanding legal requirements, and setting up an effective learning environment at home.


Why Choose Homeschooling?


Before we get into the HOW to start homeschooling, let’s talk about the WHY!


Homeschooling can be an excellent choice for families who want to be able to tailor lessons and the learning environment to best fit their child’s unique learning style. Everyone learns differently and this is true for children as well. Maybe the environment should be quieter or more cozy. Perhaps the pace of learning with a group of children is too fast or too slow for your child. Personalizing the learning experience can be a big draw for many families to try homeschooling. Not only that, but homeschooling allows for freedom from the rigidity of school curriculums and from standardized testing.


I know when my husband and I first were considering homeschooling, a huge consideration for us was the flexible schedule. We enjoy traveling randomly throughout the year and homeschooling allows us to be able to do that! (make sure to check out our tips on traveling with kids and how we are able to afford to travel with points!) Our kids also do competitive sports. Homeschooling allows us to be able to tailor our learning schedule to make sure our kids are not stressed out with studying while enjoying the sports they love.


Also, have you ever noticed that most homeschool families are incredibly close? By design, homeschooling allows for closer family bonding through shared educational experiences.


Legal Requirements for Homeschooling


Ok, so let’s first talk about the legality of homeschooling. I get this question SO much from people who are interested in homeschooling. Is this even legal? In the United States, yes. However, all states have different laws surrounding homeschooling and how to do it lawfully. Make sure you understand the homeschooling laws in your state (or your country if you are outside of the United States.) Some states will require parents to notify the local school district or superintendent. You may also need to keep track of grades, attendance and progress (or you may not need to do this AT ALL!). And what about standardized testing? Again, CHECK with your specific state’s laws around this! Standardized testing may not be required or you may just need to meet with an assessor (or nothing at all!).


How to Choose the Right Homeschooling Curriculum


Ok, now moving on to curriculum! Before I get into this part, I will say that curriculum should NOT be the first thing you look into if you are coming from a traditional school environment because you can easily become overwhelmed! Consider curriculum as a topic that you should revisit often throughout your learning process so you can get a good sense of what is out there, which ones might match your style and which ones are secular vs faith-based (very important!! I cover this topic in THIS POST. In the meantime, DESCHOOL DESCHOOL DESCHOOL!


Deschooling is the process of doing NO structured learning activities whatsoever for approximately 1 month per year of traditional school attendance. This process helps you find your own organic home rhythm AND allows you time to figure out what will work best for your family. I will talk more about deschooling in a different post.


Phew! Now that I got that little disclaimer out of the way, let’s jump into curriculum! You need to try to start understanding your child’s learning style. “But, Sarah, what if I don’t know what their learning style is?” Great question! HERE is where you can learn more about that. In a nutshell, consider if your learner is more an auditory learner, visual learner or kinesthetic learner and browse curriculum that may best fill that need. You can also research types of homeschooling methods such as classical homeschooling, Charlotte Mason homeschooling, Montessori homeschooling or unschooling. Choose a curriculum plan that will offer you a balance of guided lessons and freedom. Some have worksheets, some are literature heavy, some are more free-flowing. YouTube is a great help to get to know a specific curriculum more in depth.

Setting Up Your Homeschool Environment


Are you going to want a specific homeschool room or location in your home to be your learning space? Although this is definitely not a requirement, it is still a good idea to create a quiet, distraction-free area in your home where your learner can accomplish some learning tasks. Gather supplies you might need such as books, any educational technology for homeschooling like a laptop or headphones and art supplies (check out my list of recommended ones!).


To go along with your environment, think about what your homeschool routine will look like and start writing it down. This is something you can think about during your deschooling time. Even if you do not end up having a super structured homeschooling day, your home and your homeschool will most likely thrive with some sort of routine


Homeschooling Socialization: How to Connect with Others


You might be worried about how your child will connect with others while homeschooling. Many people think homeschooling is isolating but that couldn’t be farther from the truth! Socializing while homeschooling is easier than you think. With a little effort, you and your child can have a thriving social life.


Try to find a local homeschooling co-op in your area. There is usually an area or regional homeschooling Facebook group where you can learn more about homeschooling co-ops and other homeschooling communities in your area. It can also be great to browse these groups for homeschooling success stories from parents.


You could also enroll your child in extracurricular activities such as sports teams or free library programs like book club or chess club. You can often find extracurricular activities for homeschoolers at your local community gym or community center. Ours offered homeschool ballet, homeschool open gym and even a homeschool STEM program!


Another way to find other homeschoolers is by taking field trips to the libraries, museums, parks or zoos during the weekdays. Are you at the park on a Tuesday at 10am and there are other school-aged children there? You’ve most likely found yourself potential homeschool buddies!


Tips for Staying Organized and Motivated


During your homeschool journey, you may want to keep track of things such as learning progress or journal about your thoughts and findings while observing and working with your child. Get yourself a planner or notebook to do this. Don’t be afraid to be flexible and make changes when things are not working. It is YOUR school! YOU make those decisions. Setting goals and celebrating milestones will also help you and your child stay motivated throughout the year. Homeschooling achievements are also achieivements!


Getting Started with Homeschooling: Conclusion


Starting your homeschooling journey is an exciting yet challenging process. By understanding the legal requirements, choosing the right curriculum, setting up a conducive learning environment, and staying organized, you can create an enriching educational experience for your child. Homeschooling provides you with the flexibility to nurture your child’s academic growth at your own pace, and with the right tools and mindset, you’ll be set for success. Are you ready to embark on this rewarding journey?




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