Home schooling Made Easy: 8 Simple Steps

Find out where to start with a home schooling education. Includes a step-by-step timeline for taking charge of your child’s home schooling journey.

You’ve decided that you have the time, patience, resources, and enthusiasm to home school your child. What’s next? With so many decisions to consider, the process might feel daunting at first. But don’t worry—Linda Dobson, author of The Home schooling Book of Answers: The 101 Most Important Questions Answered by Home schooling’s Most Respected Voices, offers reassuring advice: “You don’t need everything perfectly in place before you begin.”

Take a moment to breathe and explore this step-by-step timeline. It outlines everything you need to prepare and plan to confidently take charge of your child’s education.

1. Explore Your Home schooling Options

You can begin home schooling at any time, whether your child is a toddler or has already completed several years of elementary school. Many parents find that the end of the school year is a convenient time to start their research, as it allows them to gather information and prepare to begin home schooling in the fall.

Start by subscribing to home schooling magazines like Home schooling Today, visiting the library, reading books on the subject, and talking to families who already home school. Consider joining a local home schooling organization to connect with experienced parents. Educating yourself about the various approaches and methods will help you clarify why you’ve chosen to home school and what you aim to achieve for your family.

Remember, it’s okay if you don’t grasp everything immediately. Take your time, and don’t let the initial learning curve discourage you.

2.Understand Your State’s Home schooling Requirements

Home schooling rules and regulations differ significantly from state to state. For instance, in New York, parents are required to file an annual Declaration of Intent with their local superintendent by July 1 or within 14 days of starting home schooling. Additionally, they must submit an Individualized Home Instruction Plan (IHIP). New York parents are also obligated to maintain attendance records, provide quarterly reports, and administer standardized tests. To find detailed and accurate information about the home schooling laws in your state, visit reliable resources like You Can Home School.

3. Join a Local Home schooling Group

Connecting with home schoolers in your area can provide invaluable support and insights. Local home schooling groups offer a sense of community and the opportunity to meet families who can answer your questions, share their teaching strategies, and demonstrate how home schooling works in practice.

These groups often provide information about age-appropriate activities, including sports, tutoring sessions, and small clubs tailored to your child’s interests. Many groups also host weekly meetings where parents collaborate to teach specialized subjects like foreign languages or science labs to small student groups. Joining such a network can enhance your home schooling experience and broaden your child’s learning opportunities.

4. Choose Your Home school Curriculum

When it comes to selecting a curriculum, there are many options to consider. You can purchase curricula from mail-order catalogues or online stores, such as Scholastic’s Teacher Store (which requires registration for purchases). Curriculum choices range from traditional textbooks and workbooks covering core subjects like reading, writing, and arithmetic, to more personalized approaches that allow learning to be guided by your child’s interests.

Attending state conventions and curriculum fairs, which are held several times a year, is another great way to explore different home schooling materials. These events showcase a wide variety of publications and products, giving you the opportunity to find the best fit for your child’s educational needs.

5. Set Up Your Home school Space.

Think about where you’ll conduct your home schooling lessons. Will you use the kitchen table, or do you need a more dedicated space with a desk or blackboard? Consider whether you need wall space to display schedules, calendars, or your child’s completed work. Having a computer with internet access nearby is also helpful for research, online lessons, and educational games.

To stay organized, invest in storage solutions like cabinets and bookshelves to hold textbooks and workbooks. Baskets are also great for keeping loose supplies like pencils, paper, and craft materials neatly stored. Creating a functional and clutter-free learning environment will help both you and your child stay focused and organized.

6. Set Clear Home school Goals

Since home schooling allows your child to learn at their own pace, it’s essential to establish clear goals, especially in the first year. While academic goals are important, they are just one aspect of a well-rounded education. Consider how your child will engage in physical activity and when they’ll have opportunities to socialize with peers.

Extracurricular activities, such as music lessons, sports, or organizations like Boy Scouts, are also crucial for developing various skills. Connect with other parents—both home schoolers and those who send their children to traditional schools—to explore the best activities available. Don’t forget to check local community centers, places of worship, and newspaper listings for additional options. Setting these goals will help ensure that your child’s education is both comprehensive and enjoyable.

7. Define a Home schooling Schedule

Once you’ve set your goals, it’s time to create a schedule to help you achieve them. While some people feel restricted by schedules, having a structured plan, especially in the beginning, helps keep things organized and on track, says Dobson.

Start by purchasing a planner to map out your child’s academic schedule, breaking down subjects and time for each. Think about how you want to structure your week and balance different learning activities. Be sure to include time for field trips, library visits, and other enriching experiences.

Remember, flexibility is one of the greatest advantages of home schooling. If your child’s needs or interests change, feel free to adjust the schedule accordingly. The goal is to create a routine that works best for your family while still allowing room for spontaneous learning and growth.

8. Watch Out for Common Home schooling Pitfalls

While home schooling offers many benefits, beginners often face a few common challenges. Here are three to watch out for:

1. Feeling Isolated
One of the most common struggles for new home schoolers is isolation. To prevent this, make sure you’ve followed the advice in Step 3 by joining a local support group. Socializing isn’t just important for your child—it’s essential for home schooling parents as well. Connecting with like-minded adults provides emotional support and valuable insights.

2. Committing to a Curriculum Too Early
Another pitfall is jumping into a curriculum too quickly. Many new home schoolers purchase an expensive, all-in-one curriculum, only to realize that it doesn’t match their child’s learning style. Dobson recommends experimenting with different approaches before making a significant investment. This will help you find what works best for your child’s unique needs.

3. Learning as You Go
Home schooling offers a lot of freedom and flexibility, but this can be overwhelming at first. It’s important to remember that you’ll learn along the way. You may need to constantly adapt and redefine your approach as you discover what works best for your family. Embrace the process and be patient with yourself as you navigate the home schooling journey.