How to Homeschool

Getting a handle on how to homeschool your child is not as difficult as many parents might think. Certainly, the decision to take the education of your child out of the hands of the public school system is not one to be made lightly. However, homeschooling has shown to be more effective for many children than public school, with the average scores on standardized achievement tests consistently higher for homeschoolers than those of public school students. So, it seems that parents are certainly proving themselves quite competent when they choose to take their children's education into their own hands, and with a bit of preparation, you can do the same.

If you are considering a homeschool program for your child, the first thing to check into is the homeschooling regulations in your state of residence. Operating your homeschool according to the regulations in place is very important, as in most states, charges of truancy and educational neglect can be brought against parents who do not file the proper paperwork. Laws vary greatly from one state to the next, with some having very strict requirements for notification, record keeping, testing, and curriculum, while others require little but a statement that your child will not be enrolled in the public school system. Your local school district should be able to provide you with a copy of the laws that pertain to homeschooling in your area.

If you need help wading through those requirements, homeschooling groups can be a great resource, offering advice and guidance that is geared towards helping homeschooling families succeed. Another helpful resource is the Homeschool Legal Defense Association, or HSDLA, a national non-profit homeschooling group that specializes in defending the rights of homeschooling families and offering pertinent information on the legalities involved, as well as information on many other aspects of homeschooling.

Among the many reasons that home schooled children tend to do better in academics than those enrolled in public schools is flexibility. The ability to tailor teaching methods and materials to appeal to the natural learning styles and interests of each child is a terrific advantage. Many children who struggle in the traditional, one-size-fits-all, classroom setting, finding learning difficult or boring, will thrive in the home school setting, regaining that instinctive love of learning that every child is born with.

The key to unlocking that enthusiasm lies in getting to know your child's learning style. While most of us are able to use a variety of learning styles, there is generally one that suits us best, making learning easier, more interesting and enjoyable. There are a variety of assessment tools that can help you determine the dominant learning style of your child. Homeschooling groups, available in most communities or online, often have such resources available. Online curriculum markets often feature learning style testing in order to aid patrons in choosing the best products for their homeschooling needs, and a variety of education information sites may be of assistance.

Curriculum requirements vary from one state to another, with some providing a list of mandated subject matter to homeschoolers according to grade level, and others allowing parents much more flexibility in deciding educational standards. However, even if you live in a state where subject matter is tightly controlled, you still have a choice in how to present those subjects to your child. Of course, the ideal is to be able to build your own curriculum according to the interests of your child, but if that is not possible, simply adjusting your teaching methods to the learning style that suits your child best can be the difference between a reluctant learner and an eager one.

Learning how to homeschool is not as hard as it seems. Certainly, your child's education is important, and taking primary responsibility for it can be intimidating. But, homeschooling has been done successfully throughout history, much longer than any public school system has been in place. Also, keep in mind that no teacher or school system can possibly know your child better than you, nor are they as invested in his or her future success. Over time, you will find your comfort zone as your child's teacher and gain confidence as you begin to see the benefits of the one-on-one, personalized learning environment that homeschooling provides. Reaching out for support and advice from other successful homeschooling families can help you along the way, countering those who will certainly question your decision to separate your child from the school system.

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