Getting Ready For Home Schooling

Home schooling is the method whereby children are educated at home, instead of in a more traditional public or private school setting. Most often, the teacher in a home school situation is the parent of that child.

There are two sides to the home schooling debate. Those who are opposed to home schooling feel that it does not provide the best standardized education or socialization that a child needs to become a healthy and contributing member of society. In addition, they feel that parents who choose to home school their children are "weird" and old fashioned. These people still see home schooling as archaic.

However, parents who home school their own children will tell you differently. First, home school programs are just about as dynamic as you can get, in terms of providing unique and authentic experiences for the child that cater to their individual needs and learning style. Most parents who home school will tell you that it is the biggest reward ever to watch your own child discover new things and develop as an individual, especially knowing that you played a part in facilitating that learning.

If you are deciding whether or not a home school program is a good fit for you and your child, there are many convincing arguments on both sides of the table. Ultimately though, the decision is yours to make. Consider the following steps to preparing for home schooling your child.

  1. Make your decision: Home schooling your child is not a decision that is, or should be arrived at lightly. This new dynamic in your home can change your relationship with your child and others. Make a list of pros and cons for the decision. Sit down and talk with your family about how each person feels about home schooling. Finally, consider whether or not you are willing and able to make the time and energy commitment that home schooling requires in order to be successful. You need to be able to clearly articulate why you feel that a home school program will be the best fit for you and your child.
  2. Understand that learning is a process: Once you enter into the home school program, you now become a teacher. If you don't have an appropriate understanding of child and learning development, you should do a little research. Learning takes time. And obviously a pre-schooler will be at a much different level than a high school student. That said, you need to be able to prepare a lesson that meets your child where they are at and takes them where they need to go.
  3. Know and follow your state laws for home schooling: Each individual state has its own laws regarding home schooling. You need to keep abreast of the laws and regulations so that your child will be prepared when it is time to enter a higher education institution. Otherwise, all your hard work and theirs could go to waste, as it would not be considered a valid education.
  4. Find a local support group: Parents who are just beginning to home school their child will benefit greatly from a group of experienced home schoolers. They can provide all the necessary resources and advice. In addition, this group provides a social network of other home school students for you child. Consider joining one of these groups right away.

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