Step-By-Step How to Homeschool – The First Three Months

When I first started homeschooling I had absolutely no idea how to even begin. Almost 8 years later it’s hard to even remember what those early days were like but I know I was completely overwhelmed. Using Google and homeschool groups on Facebook, I immediately had information overload. Hundreds, if not thousands, of articles, blog posts, and Facebook posts to read and I still didn’t know what to do.

I’m a pretty linear thinker and I just wanted a list of things to do to start. All of the reading could come later but I only had a few weeks between the decision to homeschool and the start of school and I just needed a list. That is what I hope to accomplish with this post – not a lot of flowery reading but just a list to start. Here is the list I wish I would have had back then:

• Find, read and know your state’s homeschool laws
  • Google your state name followed by homeschool laws
  • Go to HSLDA.org. Under the Legal tab there will be an option for state homeschool laws
  • This step is critical in my opinion. Homeschooling is legal in all 50 states but the laws vary in each state. You do not want to be in violation of any state laws. There are no federal laws regarding homeschooling.
• Join one, and only one, Facebook group for homeschooling and start reading every day. Do not give in to the urge to join a lot of groups or you will become quickly overwhelmed with the volume of information. You only really need to one to start – you can join the others later.
• Join your state’s homeschool Facebook group. This group will help you navigate the laws of your state.
• Do NOT go curriculum shopping or buy any curriculum. Do NOT even start to investigate all the curriculum you will be hearing about. Here’s why:
  • You do not know enough yet about your childrens’ learning styles or basic homeschooling yet to evaluate curriculum
  • You will get completely overwhelmed by the sheer volume of options
  • You will end up wasting money on curriculum that doesn’t fit your child’s needs or your vision for homeschooling
  • Your first months will be deschooling where curriculum should not be used
• Read 1 or 2 articles on deschooling
  • Deschooling is a simple concept so there is no need to read much on the subject
  • There are deschooling articles found here or you can use Google
  • If you find articles on the subject of unschooling, that is not the same as deschooling
• Read 2 or 3 articles on learning styles
  • If you’re used to public/private schools where all students are usually required to learn in the same way, this is an important step because you are now free to let your children learn in a way that is best for them
  • Limiting yourself to 1 or 2 articles will give you the information you need. Once you have an understanding, then begin observing and making notes of your children and how you think they may like to learn.
  • There are deschooling articles found here or you can use Google
• After reading articles on deschooling and learning styles, spend some time in thought and envision what school might look like for your family. Write out this vision.
• Make a list of what you want your child to learn in the first 3 months
  • This list does NOT have to look like a school list of subjects!
  • Think outside the box – maybe you want them to learn how to cook an omelet or change the tire on a car or create a budget or introduce themselves to a stranger. Google life skills for ideas
  • You may have state requirements but that does not mean that subject has to look like school. Math can be playing Sum Swamp or adding up prices in the grocery store. Reading could be done by reading billboards as you drive or reading subtitles while you watch TV.
• Start deschooling slowly – 1 or 2 subjects the first week then add 1 subject each week (but don’t call it school!!!!)
  • I promise – your kids won’t get behind because it took you a month or two to get up to speed. Let yourself and your children ease into this new way of life.
• For the first subject you want your child to learn, make a list of some deschooling ways for your child to learn.
• For the second subject you want your child to learn, make a list of some deschooling ways for your child to learn.
• Write out a plan for the first week using the list of deschooling options you created for the first 2 subjects
• After the first week, pick the third subject you want your child to learn, make a list of some deschooling ways for your child to learn. If you completed the list you created for the first 2 subjects, brainstorm more deschooling ways for your child to learn.
• Write out a plan for the second week using the list of deschooling options you created for the first 3 subjects
• After the second week, pick the fourth subject you want your child to learn, make a list of some deschooling ways for your child to learn. If you completed the list you created for the first 3 subjects, brainstorm more deschooling ways for your child to learn.
• Write out a plan for the third week using the list of deschooling options you created for the first 4 subjects
• Continue these steps for your first 3 months

Following these steps will lessen the stress and anxiety you will feel as you are starting out. It will also keep you from getting overloaded with information and fall into the analysis paralysis trap I was in for years.