What You Need to Know Before You Start Homeschooling

It is important to know and follow the homeschool laws and requirements of your state. Some states are more heavily regulated.

Make sure you understand what is required of you to withdraw your child from school and begin homeschooling.

Do all you can to ensure that you start on a positive note.

• If your student is transitioning from public school, you'll want to allow time for everyone to adjust.
• Be willing to learn from the mistakes of veteran homeschooling parents.
• Trust your own intuition regarding your children.
• Find a support group. Members can often help with choosing a curriculum, what's required for record-keeping, state homeschool laws, and providing opportunities and activities for your children.

There is a vast array of options, and it's easy to overspend and still not find the right fit.

While you decide, use free printables and your local library, or consider a used curriculum or creating your own.

It is important to keep good records of your child's homeschool years. Records can be as easy as a daily journal or as complex as a computer program or notebook system.

Your state may require progress reports, a record of grades, or a portfolio. However, many parents enjoy keeping records as keepsakes of their children's homeschooling years.

Homeschoolers have a great deal of freedom when it comes to scheduling. It may take a while to find what works best for your family.

Tips to consider.

• When do your children work best - early in the morning or later in the day?
• Your spouse's work schedule.
• Outside classes and commitments.

There are many homeschooling methods available. Finding the right style may take some trial and error.

You may find that some aspects of one method combined with another approach may work for your family—for instance, a Charlotte Mason method with unit study techniques. Be open to experiment and find what works for your family.

A homeschool convention is more than book sales. Larger conventions have vendor workshops and special speakers that can be a great source of inspiration and guidance.

You may also talk to vendors who can answer your questions and help you determine which curriculum to use.

Just remember to check your state's homeschool laws so that you know the right way to withdraw your children from school.

Don't feel you have to start a curriculum immediately. Use your library or online resources while you find the right homeschool curriculum choice for your children.