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Homeschooling
101:
How to Get Started
Teaching Your Children At Home
hile many new to
home-schooling view
it as a difficult educational choice, it is actually one of the easiest
school choice options for families.
Most who simply inquire or mull over the possibility of homeschooling
seek step-by-step, to-the-point instructions on how to begin the process
of starting a homeschool. The following are five sure-proof steps to
begin homeschooling your child.
1. Know your
state's homeschool law! This cannot be stressed enough. Sometimes
parents who are in a bind with their child's education decide on the fly
to take them out of school and homeschool them without first complying
with their state's law. This is dangerous because school authorities may
declare your child habitually truant and may charge you with not sending
your child to school.
To avoid all of these
possibilities, make sure you know and understand your
state's law and abide by it fully. Some state's laws are more
lenient than others while other states are more regulated. Whatever the
case, know your state's law before you even think about and lay plans
for homeschooling. Contact your state
home school organization to learn the ins and outs of the law.
2. Talk to your
child about your decision. Although as a parent you make the
ultimate decision over your child's education be sure to reassure her
that life doesn't end because she'll be schooled at home. Barring any
negative peers your child may have, make sure she understands every
effort will be made to keep her in touch with her friends. It is
important as a parent that you make the transition as smooth as possible
from traditional education to home education for everyone involved.
3. Decide upon the
type of curriculum you'll use. There are so many
curricula out there that it's sometimes hard to find out which
one is best for your child. If need be, take your child to a testing
site and get him evaluated to get healthy suggestions and ideas about
how best to teach him. While as a parent you probably know his inherent
strengths and weaknesses, a skills test will be able to help you fully
determine where your child should be or whether your child is advanced
and needs accelerated learning in a certain area.
4. Make a schedule
for your child. Although homeschooling is a wonderful way for
parents to teach their children a genuine love of learning through a
relaxed and leisurely teaching style, you still need to instill
structure in your homeschool. As mentioned above, some states require
more homeschool regulation so, depending upon where you live, you may
have to homeschool under an umbrella group or have to keep a detailed
portfolio of your child's progress. A schedule will help you keep your
child advancing on schedule and achieving in his studies. A schedule
will also help your child know what to expect and what is expected of
him.
5. Have fun!
Use homeschooling as an opportunity to make your family closer and as a
sterling opportunity to give your child a great education. Take field
trips -- both near and far. Bust out of the box and create
unconventional ways of teaching your children. With homeschooling the
sky's the limit. Be creative.
Copyright 2005, National
African-American Homeschoolers Alliance
www.naaha.com
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