There are many parents that become a homeschooler by accident, i.e. they had no intentions of homeschooling their children. This can happen for a number of different reasons. Perhaps your child was being bullied? Maybe an illness meant they could no longer go to school? Or, poor grades may have encouraged you to take action. No matter what applies, if you have fallen into homeschooling by accident, it can be difficult to know where to start. But don’t fret, as we have some top tips to help you out.
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- Find out what the laws regarding homeschooling are in your state – This is the first step you need to take. After all, there are 50 states, and each and every one of them has their own regulations and laws regarding homeschooling. The Department of Education in your state should be able to assist with this. They will be able to tell you about the steps you should take now and in the future, i.e. when you reach your child’s graduation. It is also a good idea to look for forums online and local homeschool groups, as you will be able to gather useful advice from families in your area that has been there, done that, and got the T-shirt.
- Be flexible, but make sure you plan ahead too – One of the great things about homeschooling is the flexibility it provides. However, this does not mean that all structure should be cast aside. You don’t have to homeschool your kids in accordance with the same hours they would be learning at school. Nonetheless, it is still a good idea to have a schedule in place. This will give them structure, and it will help both you and your child with goal setting too. You will learn a lot about what does and does not work along the way, which is why it is important to be prepared to change things. This is a luxury you have with homeschooling, so take advantage of it. You can ensure that everything is setup perfectly, giving your child the ideal platform to excel.
- Consider advancing your own skills – Now would be a good time to consider taking a course yourself. Getting back into education can be beneficial for a number of reasons. Not only will you learn about things that will be of a benefit to your child, but you will get back into the feel of what it is like to teach and learn, and this will help you when homeschooling your children. The Masters in Curriculum and Instruction program is an excellent option to consider. This program has been designed for people that want to grow professionally as a curriculum leader. You will learn about the best teaching methods and curriculums, which will be of great assistance to your child.
- Have your child’s needs in mind when choosing a curriculum – Last but not least, when choosing a homeschool curriculum, your child’s requirements, learning preferences, and needs should always be the primary focus. Of course, you probably have a budget to stick to, but you need to choose a curriculum that is right for your child, otherwise, they are going to be the one to suffer.
