For many parents, homeschooling can seem like an overwhelming task. Managing a child’s education is incredibly important, and if you don’t have any prior experience with teaching, you may have no idea how to get started. If you’re thinking about homeschooling your child, here are some tips and tricks you can use to help create a fulfilling, successful, and FUN experience for yourself and your new student. 

1.) Make sure you’re meeting legal requirements.

Before you begin homeschooling, make sure you know what legal requirements [RF1] are in your state. For example, some states require parents acting as homeschool teachers to have a high school diploma or GED. You may also be required to notify your state that you’ve chosen to homeschool your child. There may be regulations and rules about how many hours per day must be spent homeschooling and what subjects must be covered in the curriculum.  Some states expect homeschool parents to keep records of their children’s test grades or homework. There may even be vaccination requirements. Before deciding whether you want to homeschool, make sure that you’re capable of meeting all state requirements. You can search your state’s legal requirements from your students’ dashboard at any time.

2.) Ensure that you’re financially prepared.

Homeschooling can be a full-time job. Make sure that you can either afford to have a parent stay home and teach or that you can hire support people (teachers, tutors, or learning Pods) to help take on the task of homeschooling. It’s also important to know about the costs of the materials you’ll need, especially if you plan on using a curriculum or technology. If you’re going to be using online teaching materials, make sure you have a good Internet connection and a functional computer.  Some states may offer tax breaks for homeschooling families, but many do not.  Keep in mind that you don’t have to break the bank buying every fancy curriculum out there. Learning can happen anywhere using anything—and many resources, such as the library, offer an abundance of resources for free.  Be creative and let Anything Academics help you invest your homeschooling money into wise resources[RF2].

3.) Consider your children’s goals and interests.

A curriculum is not a homeschool requirement, but many families rely on it for at least a subject or two.  The curriculum is helpful because highly trained professionals have developed it, so you know you’re getting quality materials.  Furthermore, creating everything from scratch on your own can feel like you’re reinventing the wheel.  There are many curriculums out there covering every subject imaginable from every angle imaginable, so finding one that is right for your student’s specific goals and interests is likely. Still, it can be overwhelming to comb through the materials yourself.  Let Anything Academic lift that burden for you so that you can focus your energies on other aspects of homeschooling.

If your child is interested in joining sports or clubs with other kids their age, there are many opportunities for them to get involved! Some states allow homeschooled children to participate in public school athletics. Consider finding youth teams, groups, or clubs that they could join. Check out your local library or parks and rec department to find any youth-focused programs that your child could participate in during the school year.

4.) Build a support system.

A school is filled with many teachers, administrators, and officials who all work together to support each other and achieve a common goal. Homeschool parents don’t have to go it alone. Find out if there are other families homeschooling in your area who can help you adjust. Many homeschool families arrange social events or group homeschooling sessions. Anything Academics can help you connect to other homeschool families in your area.  Homeschool groups and Co-ops can be an excellent source of support, advice, and tips and tricks from experienced homeschool parents.

5.) Set a flexible schedule.

Create a schedule that works for you and your child. Decide what time to start working and when to be done for the day. Set a lunch break and other short breaks throughout the day as well. Decide which order you’ll tackle each subject.  Most students are more focused earlier in the day, so consider starting with the most challenging subject. By creating a loose schedule and sticking with it, you and your child will know what to expect and when to expect it. Some homeschool families prefer a more relaxed, flexible schedule rather than a rigid one, but if you’re just getting started, be sure to have some plan in place to help you move productively through your school day.

6.) Discover your teaching style or teaching philosophy.

People all have different strengths and weaknesses, and we all learn and teach differently. One person may be a visual learner, while someone else could learn best by using their hands. It’s vital to consider your child’s strengths and weaknesses. How will they learn best? Try to tailor your teaching style so that they can achieve their goals. It’s also important to know where your own strengths lie so that you can develop a teaching strategy that feels comfortable for you, which is effective for your child. There are a variety of models [RF3] of homeschooling that you might consider adopting.  One of the most delightful aspects of homeschooling is that you don’t have to stick to one method; you can pick and choose which aspects of each philosophy resonate with you and your child and implement those. 

7.) Make a plan for college prep.

If your child is hoping to pursue higher education, help them prepare in advance [RF4]. If they need financial assistance for college, there are scholarships available for homeschooled students. It’s also important to make sure you keep good records, as most universities require transcripts of applicants’ grades. Consider duel enrolling your student in community college classes or other programs that can give them college credit while still in high school. Many college applications also require students to take standardized exams like the SAT or ACT. Think about purchasing prep books or materials to get your kids ready for the tests.