Step 1: Making the Decision
What's the very first thing to consider when you want to start homeschooling? The first step is to make the decision. That may sound simple, but there are some basic questions to answer in order to determine if homeschooling is a good fit for your family.
Step 2: Understand Homeschooling Laws
It is important to understand the state laws regarding homeschooling. There are variations from state to state when it comes to laws pertaining to educating your child at home. This is a very important step in the process of getting started homeschooling.
Step 3: Find a Support Group
Educating your child at home does not mean you are educating your child alone. It is key to find a homeschool support group to help you along the way. Homeschool support groups go by various names and provide a variety of support and services.
Step 4: Understand Your Child's Learning Style
As you get started homeschooling, an important step is to understand your child's learning style. In other words, know how your child best learns new concepts and information. There are three basic ways that people process information, seeing, hearing, and doing.
Step 5: Choose a Homeschooling Method
There are many methods to homeschooling your children. Finding the right method for your family, though important, may not come the first time you try. If you are new to homeschooling, it's not uncommon to try a few different methods before you find a good fit.
Step 6: Select a Curriculum
Selecting a Homeschool Curriculum that is right for your child's learning style is the best approach to take. Some families stick to a more traditional approach with materials like you would find in a standard school setting, while others like to combine products from various homeschooling companies. There are full-scale curriculum kits and basic unit studies. The important thing is that you get to make the choice, which is best made when you are aware of what's out there.
Step 7: Get Organized
Getting organized is a big part of homeschooling your children. This area of the series How to Get Started Homeschooling includes record keeping, schedules, activities, and the "school" area of the house.