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If your first thought when you think you want to start your own homeschool is, “I could never do that!” you are not alone. That was certainly my first thought. In all honesty, my first reaction was a laugh, which reminds me of Genesis 18:12 when Sarah laughed at bearing a child when she was 90. But verse 14 is the key. Genesis 18:14a states “Is anything too hard for the Lord?” This is one of the many verses we must cling to when we start to feel overwhelmed at the thought of homeschooling. Quite often I had to remind myself that the Lord called me to this mission, and I looked to Him for wisdom and perseverance on a daily basis.
I also think it is worth mentioning one more time ~ make sure that your motivation for homeschooling is pure. If you haven’t thought through your motivations for homeschooling, make sure you check out our Explore Homeschooling blog. Read on to learn more about how to start your own homeschool.
The Nitty Gritty Details
After checking to make sure your motives are genuine, your next stop in learning to start your own homeschool should be at the HSLDA website. The Homeschool Legal Defense Association does an excellent job not only laying out the requirements by state but makes sure that each states’ requirements are updated on a regular basis. I have always viewed homeschooling as a privilege, and I think it is incredibly important that we make sure we are dotting our i’s and crossing our t’s. I would also highly recommend joining this organization. They truly do smooth out the path for you, and they are there if you need defense. Take some time to navigate through their website, as it will be a great investment of your time. It will also increase your comfort level in this new adventure!
If you would like more resources to start your journey, please check out our blog entitled Homeschool 101: A Complete Guide to Getting Started.
Test is Not a Scary Word
One of the requirements in many states is some sort of standardized testing. Most people view this as a real drag, but in all honesty, I looked forward to testing each year for two reasons. (My kids would not agree, lol!) First of all, it was a report card for me, and told me where I need to focus more attention. When your child is not in a large classroom, you aren’t able to compare them to other students, so this will help you gauge where you’re at compared to others throughout the country.
The second reason I am glad that our state required testing is because it gave my kids good testing experience. There are many, many testing options out there, and some school districts will dictate which test you must give. We were fortunate to have a choice, and we chose the CAT/5 test that I purchased through Family Learning Organization. They mailed me the test, complete with simple to follow instructions, and I was required to mail it back within two weeks. They graded the test and sent results back quite quickly. Easy peasy!
I would also like to mention that testing isn’t everything. There are some kids that just don’t test well. No one knows your child better than you, and you should always do a gut check when you receive the results.
Don’t Go It Alone
I always laugh when I think of the word “homeschool”. In fact, it feels like we did just as much learning out and about than we did at home. One of the biggest contributors to our education was the homeschool co-op that we joined. I can’t imagine our experience without it.
There are so many benefits to joining a co-op. It is a pool of knowledge that you can not only pull from but offer your talents as well! For example, I never felt adequate to teach biology, but it is such an intricate part of God’s design. I wanted to be sure that my kids were taught this subject by someone who really knew their stuff. We had one mom that set up her garage as a biology classroom. I wish I had taken a picture of it. She loved biology, and that passion came shining through when she taught.
We were also able to take many field trips with other families that I probably wouldn’t have taken alone. As teachers at a co-op, we made it a point to require the students to give presentations in front of the class. (Something that is so valuable, but hard to implement at home.) If you are interested in joining a co-op, a simple search on the internet will provide you with options. Social media sites are a good place to look as well. You will quickly find that homeschoolers are a community of people that are eager to help you get plugged in.
Determine Each Child’s Learning Style
Did you know that there is curriculum written to suit specific learning styles? One of the beautiful things about homeschooling is that you can alter your curriculum to fit the needs and interests of each of your children. There are three primary learning styles that are broadly used ~ Visual, Auditory and Kinesthetic (learn by touching). If you have toddlers, you probably gravitate towards kinesthetic, as toddlers are known for wanting to touch everything! There are tests available that will help you determine your child’s learning types. If you come across a good one, please drop a link in the comments below!
In many cases, your child’s learning type will become quite evident as you more purposely watch them learn. Also keep in mind that their style might change as they grow and develop new skills.
Visual learners tend towards a photographic memory. For example, they recall information more readily based on what they have seen.
Auditory learners tend to remember information they have heard. They gravitate towards their sense of hearing. If this is the case, audio books at the library may become your best friend! Many libraries also offer audio books through an app. If you feel that your library doesn’t offer a large enough selection, there are audio book apps that may prove to be a great investment for your family.
If all your child wants to do is play, play, play, you probably have a kinesthetic learner on your hands. The good news is that a simple search of “Montessori toys” on the internet can open up a whole new world of learning for you and your child.
Watch for an upcoming post highlighting fun learning games. In the meantime, if you have any great game ideas, leave a comment below!
One Last Important Item…
I would highly recommend searching for a homeschool convention near you and getting it on your calendar!
Now you’re well on your way to start your own homeschool.
You’ve got this!
Leah