Transitioning to homeschooling: Part 1

So you’re ready to start homeschooling? That’s great! Let’s talk about what you can do to make sure you and your children are off to a great start, and how you can set yourself up for success!

First, let’s talk about yourself. How can you prepare yourself for homeschooling? Taking the time to read some books on homeschooling is a great step. Soak up as much knowledge and insight that you can going into your first years. Learn from those who have gone before you and immerse yourself in their wisdom. (see the resource page for some great recommendations.)

Second, figure out what style of homeschooling you plan to utilize. Whether it’s on schooling, virtual, classical, Montessori, or unit studies to name a few. Educate yourself, and pick what works for you, your children, and your lifestyle. It doesn’t matter what others are doing around you. It’s important to not base your decisions off of what works for another family. Your children could respond completely different. Learn about the different styles, and curriculums out there and choose what is right for you.

For example, my children and I utilize workbooks, unit studies, and a lot of practical application. Rather than doing traditional school at home, I like to get them out and learning through real life examples, and experiences. Now, what works for my family may not work for someone else and what works for someone else, may not work for me. Every family is different and unique. Make your homeschooling program the same, unique.

Thirdly, take the time and learn your child’s learning style. Institutional schools teach according to a rote learning style, learning by repetition and memorization. That style is significantly outdated and only works for a certain group of kids. Figure out how your children learn best. The four main learning styles are visual, auditory, reading/writing, and kinesthetic. There are certainly more specific styles, but these are the main four you can start researching, and exploring. There is probably a good chance your child may even be a combination of styles, but knowing how he or she learns best will make a huge difference in your homeschooling experience.

Let’s talk about how you can prepare your child for the homeschool transition. This can certainly be a bigger task for children who are coming from traditional school, but rest assured it can be done.

Include your children in your planning. Let them be a part of the decisions you’re making for their education, after all, it has everything to do with them. For example, you can let them choose what they want to learn for science and history. My children wanted to learn everything under the sun for science, so we decided to do a topical program where they can learn about an array of topics. Let your children feel included. It will get them excited to learn and give them a sense of ownership with their homeschool program.

Explain to your children why you are choosing to homeschool. This goes for all kids, but especially kids who are transitioning from institutional schools. It can sometimes be especially hard for those children to process the change and make that transition, but it absolutely can be done, and has been done. Be completely honest and open with your children about your decision and allow them time to adjust. One of the worst things you can do is leave them with unanswered questions, and in the dark.

While I know this is a lot of information to process, it’s a good place to start working through when it comes to your start to homeschooling. You can, and will be successful! Take your start, and/or your transition a day at a time, and allow room for adjustment and settling in. Making the decision to homeschool is one of the greatest decisions you can make for your children, and will be one of the greatest blessings. You will be off to a great start!