You’ve done some research and decided that homeschooling is the best choice for you and your scholar(s). You have the time, resources, patience and passion to lead your scholar’s educational journey. You’ve never homeschooled before, but you have the confidence to give it a try and support your scholar’s individual needs. What should you do next?
Getting started with homeschooling can seem overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be! That’s why we’re sharing a few simple tips to incorporate into your daily routine for successful homeschooling. Here are the top six tips of successful homeschool families:
Research Your Options
Homeschooling can start at any age or grade level. When considering home study, many families take a lot of time to research their options and prepare for the school year. Requirements for homeschooling vary by state. In California, families considering homeschooling can choose to join a charter school home study program, like Compass Charter Schools, or file a private school affidavit with the state, hire a credentialed teacher to work with their child, and a few other options. Families can learn more about their homeschooling options through magazines, social media, and homeschool-related websites.
Choose A Curriculum
One of the many benefits of homeschooling is the ability to choose a specific curriculum for your child. There are many choices available that offer individualized approaches to guide a scholar’s personal interests. In recent years the amount of homeschool targeted curriculum has grown exponentially and can be overwhelming to review. Talking to a veteran homeschool parent can help narrow that list for you. Families that choose home study through a charter school program are offered curriculum choices and support from a credentialed teacher. For example, CCS’ home study families have an organized set of curriculum options, approved vendors for enhanced learning, and support from a credentialed Educational Facilitator. Choosing a curriculum is a very important part of successful homeschooling that requires research and plenty of patience, as well as an open mind to try different options. Don’t be afraid to make changes if you see that it is not a good fit for your child.
Create A Lifestyle Of Learning
One of the main reasons people choose homeschooling is to enjoy the experience of learning together as a family. Many successful homeschool families don’t stop the educational experience outside of “school hours.” Instead, homeschooling allows scholars to be constantly immersed in their education and develop into self-directed learners with a true passion for learning. Homeschooling becomes a way of life for families because it encompasses every aspect of their day. Parents are always thinking of learning opportunities and the children begin to develop a “radar” for those opportunities over time. There are many ways to create this lifestyle including field trips, enrichment activities, learning centers, clubs or team sports and a lot of family discussions about any and all learning situations. Families that choose homeschooling should be passionate about their scholar’s education and be prepared to create a lifestyle of learning to encourage academic success.
Avoid Comparison
Many successful homeschool families know how critical it is to avoid comparing themselves or their children to others. While you should seek and accept advice from other homeschool families, it’s important to avoid making comparisons. Comparing your homeschool or your scholar(s) to others can lead to stress, frustration, self-doubt and even an unhealthy level of competition. Remember to take your time and run your homeschool at the right pace for your scholar(s). Keep in mind that you are a different parent and teacher from your friends and your children are different from other children.
Join A Homeschool Group
Consider joining a homeschoolers group in your local community, or even online. There are many different groups to choose from and they are full of helpful information. In these groups you will meet other families that can offer good advice and resources. The advice, resources and information that these veteran parents can provide is fantastic, but their encouragement is far more valuable. We all need help sometimes, no matter how much we don’t admit to it. Knowing you are not alone when you want to celebrate an academic hurdle or cry when your house never seems to look clean, is a tremendous help. Building your support team has the added benefit of your children building their own team of friends. You can help your scholar(s) build friendships with other home study children and get involved in community projects. Plus, you may even find fun facts or answers to questions you haven’t thought of yet! Homeschooling groups are welcoming communities that can serve as a very helpful social, emotional and academic resource.
Set Specific Goals
Homeschoolers have the luxury of moving at their own pace to best meet the needs of their scholar(s). It’s important to set specific goals at the start of each year to define what you would like to accomplish within the year, and also to track progress and success. CCS offers Educational Facilitators to help create and set goals with each home study family. It’s important to set realistic goals. When setting goals consider not only academics, but also other categories like physical activity and social engagement. Homeschooling allows parents to set personalized goals for their scholar(s) and be fully involved in their daily learning experiences.
These are a just a few recommendations for the new homeschooler. There are many others that can be included but they will come in time as you meet other homeschool families. Just remember when you do start to feel overwhelmed and you feel very much like a “beginner,” that every veteran homeschooler was once a beginner as well. Hang in there. Enjoy your children. Homeschooling requires work but it should also be an enjoyable journey for your entire family.
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Interested in learning more about the CCS Options (home study) program? Explore our website, or contact our enrollment team at enrollment@compasscharters.org or (877) 506-8631.