First Time Homeschooling: Everything You Need to Know to Get Started

The first time homeschooling can be daunting. Countless worries plagued me when I started with my oldest, four years ago. I had always planned to homeschool. My own public school experience hadn’t been fantastic, by any stretch. So you would think that I had prepared better for educating my children. Yeah… right… not so much. When I started I felt completely unprepared. I had no clue where to start. This is your start. I hope you can begin your research from here and fall in love with homeschooling. Let’s get started…

What Exactly is Homeschooling? A Beginner’s Overview

Homeschooling is defined as providing the opportunity for your children to learn.

What that looks like is different for every single family. How you homeschool will be as unique as a fingerprint. You know what works best for your family, children, and you. Please do not compare your homeschooling to anyone else’s, even mine.

There are two different categories that homeschooling falls into; Structured and flexible.

Neither one is wrong and in Canada neither one is illegal.

There are many benefits to homeschooling. Here are a few:

• Far more flexibility.
• Your child’s education comes first
• You can tailor your schooling to an individual child’s needs
• Far less possibility of bullying
• Depending on how you do it it can be significantly cheaper
• You can explore your child’s interests.
• You have flexibility for when family needs to come first
• Better able to teach your children life skills
• You can learn at a pace that they learn best with less stress.

Homeschooling Laws and Regulations: What You Need to Know

One of the biggest stressors that I can think of is whether what you are doing is legal. According to the law, every child of school age must receive an education. That does not mean that they need to go to school. Homeschooling is completely legal in both Canada and the U.S.A. Now the question becomes what are the specific laws in your state or province? Since we live in Canada, I will have a list of all the provincial and territorial laws, requirements, and supports.

How to Pick the Right Homeschooling Curriculum for Your Family

This particular step will evolve. You may start with one type of curriculum. You’re in kindergarten and find out that your child by grade 2 does not do well with that curriculum. Make sure that you are always open to adjusting. That’s the beauty of homeschooling. You don’t have to stick with one form of teaching like in standardized schools.  You have the flexibility to do what works best for your family. Below you will find a list of different methods of homeschooling.

1. Traditional Textbook/School-at-Home
   1. A curriculum that mimics the structure of public or private school systems, using textbooks, workbooks, and assessments.
      1. Example: Abeka
      2. Example: Bob Jones University Press (BJU)
2. Charlotte Mason
   1. Focuses on living books, nature study, narration, and short, focused lessons.
      1. Example: Ambleside Online
      2. Example: Simply Charlotte Mason
3. Unit Studies
   1. A cross-disciplinary approach where subjects like math, history, and science are taught together under a single theme.
      1. Example: Konos Curriculum
      2. Example: Five in a Row
4. Unschooling
   1. A learner-led, experience-based approach that relies on natural curiosity, without structured curricula.
      1. Example: Sandra Dodd’s Unschooling
      2. Example: John Holt’s Growing Without Schooling
5. Montessori
   1. Focuses on hands-on learning, with self-directed activities and mixed-age learning environments.
      1. Example: Montessori Homeschool Program
      2. Example: Montessori for Everyone

Factor in your budget

Your budget can be the deciding factor for your family. The joy of the internet is that we can find a wealth of knowledge for free. Several free options for homeschooling can be as good as the paid version. Here’s a list of free materials you can use to start your homeschooling journey.

Here’s a list of free homeschooling curriculums with links:

1. Khan Academy
   1. Khan Academy offers a full curriculum from K-12 and beyond. It covers subjects like math, science, history, and even computer programming, all for free.
      1. Website: Khan Academy
2. Easy Peasy All-in-One Homeschool
   1. Easy Peasy provides a complete, free online curriculum for grades PreK-12. It includes lessons in reading, math, science, history, art, and more.
      1. Website: Easy Peasy All-in-One Homeschool
3. Ambleside Online
   1. Ambleside Online is a free Charlotte Mason-inspired homeschool curriculum that includes literature, poetry, art, and classical education.
      1. Website: Ambleside Online
4. The Good and the Beautiful
   1. The Good and the Beautiful offers free downloadable resources for subjects like language arts and math, especially for grades K-5.
      1. Website: The Good and the Beautiful
5. CK-12 Foundation
   1. CK-12 provides free, customizable resources in science, math, and other core subjects, with interactive activities and practice tools.
      1. Website: CK-12 Foundation
6. Under the Home
   1. Under the Home is a classical, Charlotte Mason-inspired curriculum. It offers free online lessons for history, literature, and arts.
      1. Website: Under the Home
7. Freedom Homeschooling
   1. Freedom Homeschooling lists hundreds of free homeschooling resources across different subjects and grade levels.
      1. Website: Freedom Homeschooling
8. Mater Amabilis
   1. Mater Amabilis offers a free Catholic-based homeschool curriculum inspired by Charlotte Mason for preschool to grade 12.
      1. Website: Mater Amabilis
9. Core Knowledge
   1. Core Knowledge provides free downloadable curriculum resources that cover preschool through 8th grade in subjects like language arts, science, and history.
      1. Website: Core Knowledge
10. Plain and Not So Plain
    1. This site offers a free homeschooling curriculum focusing on simplicity and practicality, including subjects like homemaking and life skills.
       1. Website: Plain and Not So Plain

Each of these resources offers a comprehensive, high-quality education while remaining accessible and free!

Pros and cons of pre-packaged curricula

Pros:

1. Time-Saving:

Pre-packaged curricula are ready to use, so there’s no need for planning or extensive research. Everything, from lesson plans to assessments, is already organized for you.

2. Structure and Guidance:

These programs provide clear, structured paths, making it easier for parents new to homeschooling or those needing a detailed plan.

3. Comprehensive:

Most pre-packaged curricula cover all the core subjects and may even include electives, ensuring you don’t miss key learning objectives.

4. Expert-Designed:

Many pre-packaged curricula are designed by educators or experts, assuring that the materials are educationally sound.

5. Accreditation & Record-Keeping:

Some pre-packaged programs are accredited, making it easier to meet state requirements or transfer credits. They also often include tools for tracking progress and creating transcripts.

Cons:

1. Cost:

High-quality pre-packaged curricula can be expensive, sometimes costing hundreds or even thousands of dollars per year.

2. Lack of Flexibility:

These programs may not cater to your child’s specific learning style or interests. They are often more rigid in pacing and structure.

3. Not Personalized:

Pre-packaged curricula are designed for the average student, so you may need to supplement or change them to meet your child’s unique needs.

4. Less Creative Control:

Since everything is planned out for you, there is less room for creativity and customization, which can make learning feel less engaging or dynamic for certain students.

Pros and cons of creating your own curriculum

Pros:

1. Customization:

You have full control over what and how your child learns. You can tailor the curriculum to their interests, strengths, and learning styles.

2. Flexibility:

You can adjust the pace, skip material that’s too easy, or dive deeper into subjects that fascinate your child. It also allows for more real-world learning experiences and spontaneity.

3. Cost-Effective:

Many resources, such as free online programs, library books, or inexpensive materials, can be used to create a curriculum at a fraction of the cost of pre-packaged options.

4. Creative Learning:

You can integrate hands-on activities, project-based learning, and experiential lessons that may not be included in a more structured, pre-packaged program.

5. Parental Involvement:

Building your own curriculum deepens your understanding of what your child is learning and allows you to play a more active role in their education.

Cons:

1. Time-Consuming:

Researching, planning, and organizing a full curriculum can be overwhelming and time-intensive. You’ll need to ensure that you cover all necessary subjects and standards.

2. Risk of Gaps:

Without a structured program, there is the risk of missing key academic milestones or state requirements, especially for newer homeschooling parents.

3. Overwhelming for Beginners:

If you’re new to homeschooling, creating your own curriculum can feel daunting, especially if you’re unfamiliar with educational standards or effective teaching methods.

4. Inconsistent Structure:

Some children thrive on structure, and creating your curriculum may lead to consistency in pacing and depth, making it harder for them to stay on track.

Which option works best for your family?

This will be a trial and error to figure out. Your children will be different, so you’ll need to try several things that help them succeed. One tool will not fit all but it might fit most. Give that a go and see what works and doesn’t. The only way to understand how your child learns best is to throw it against the wall and see what sticks.

Creating a Flexible Homeschooling Schedule

Part of the joy of homeschooling is having quite a bit of flexibility. We spend a lot of our time in the spring, summer, and fall going back and forth to our camper for my husband’s work.  Since we homeschooled we can bring it with us and not disrupt our routine as much.

There is also a struggle with consistency that partners with the joy of flexibility. When life gets in the way, sometimes routine goes out the window. It’s one of the reasons why we do year-round schooling. If I tried to do school between September and June, I’d struggle to get things done during our busy garden and harvest seasons. Doing year-round means we can take off a week or two here or there.

There are several ways that you can create your homeschool schedule. Here are some different options:

Loop scheduling

Block Schedule

Year-round homeschool

Please don’t over-schedule yourself. Many people can get hung up on making sure their child is socialized. So they book several days with extracurriculars. Trust me, you’ll feel overwhelmed and burnt out. Focus on the core subjects that matter to you and then add on supplements for those specific subjects. Above all, have grace for yourself because you will be stressed about when you didn’t homeschool. Just pick back up and start again. You’ll be surprised at what your children have absorbed during their break 

Socialization in Homeschooling

Ahhh, the elephant in the room. I grew up in the 90’s (yes… yes I’m that old) and I remember people in my family talking about homeschoolers who came into the school system. They were ‘strange,’ ‘not socialized,’ ‘awkward,’ and ‘lacking in social norms’. When I spoke about homeschooling my children, the reception was the exact same. What about socialization?

My kids are comfortable with conversations with almost anyone at any age. They play well with the littlest of kids to older teens. They converse with seniors with no issues or fear as easily as they do with children their age. By not limiting their interactions with other children, they are better able to adapt to social situations. This leads to more confidence and the ability to become friends with anyone. 

All it takes is a bit of intentionality. Join select groups in your area that your child is interested in. Facebook likely will have a homeschool group on Facebook that you can join for some advice in that area. 

How to Track Progress and Assess Learning

Ok, I still struggle with this. For me, as much as you, here are some great youtube videos that give some examples of how to track your child’s learning progress.

Overcoming Common Homeschooling Challenges as a First-Timer

Time Management

Find the time that works best for you and your children to do schoolwork. For my family, that’s right after breakfast. If we wait for the chores to be done, I’m usually already short on patience trying to manage the fights. If I start with homeschooling, I will already feel accomplished by the time chores start. What is important is figuring out the bare basics of home-keeping and sometimes settling for that. Don’t try to do everything. Do what must be done.

Dealing with Doubt and Burnout

Every homeschool parent deals with doubt and burnout. We’re so excited to start and imagine our child will be a star pupil when reality sits in. After two weeks of dedication but little to show for it, we wonder if this is the best choice for our family. The very thought of doing it for twelve years causes hysterics. That is when it’s time to take a break. Take the week off and let the kids and you reset. Then come at it with fresh eyes and find ways to make it fun. 

Parental Confidence

Everyone chooses to homeschool for different reasons but it all boils down to one thing: you want to do what is best for your child. That may be sending them to school. It may be homeschooling. Only you can decide. Before you start thinking “Well, I’m not a teacher” or “I don’t have the patience to teach” remember something important… you ALREADY are a teacher. You potty trained them. You taught them to speak. You taught them to walk. Children have an instinct to learn. Even when you aren’t ‘teaching’ they are observing, learning, and growing. One of the many jobs of being a parent is to be a teacher. You’ve got this!

Ready to Start Your Homeschooling Journey?

You’ve got this. I know I’ve given you a lot of information, but believe me when I tell you that you don’t need much of this to get started, especially for kindergarten. You can go to Teachers Pay Teachers and download some fun printables that teach letters and numbers. Start by teaching your child how to recognize and spell their name. Above all… HAVE FUN! You got this!