13 of 13

Write now Article Tools

Over the course of eighteen years of homeschooling four children, I have compiled a list of "Homeschooling Dos and Don'ts" that I give to friends, acquaintances, and total strangers who approach me about the homeschool lifestyle. I always exhort them to read the list before considering the huge step of home educating their children.

Dos

Do research the abundance of homeschool resources. With over one million American youth having been homeschooled over the last twenty years, a treasury of books, testimonials, and other resources abounds. Homeschooling affects every member of the family, so research the topic thoroughly before diving into the deep end of the home education pool!

Do "circle the wagons"! Just as the early settlers did not dream of crossing the continent without a rolling community of a wagon train and guides, you, too, must approach the homeschool choice with a sense of community. Create your personal homeschool network of support. Consider joining a homeschool support group though your church or library, enlist the aid of veteran homeschoolers in your community, and look for online support groups.

Do evaluate your child's learning style. Is your daughter a hands-on learner? Does your son consume library books by the dozen? Each learning style requires different approaches and different curricula. Your child might love to learn from online educational websites or your child might be the type of student who needs a manipulative laden math.

Do be disciplined in your homeschooling hours. The homeschooling lifestyle presents many opportunities to go on field trips, enroll in extracurricular classes, and experience many non-traditional learning adventures. However, without discipline, the lessons can be slowly relegated to a non-importance status! Chart your lesson plans diligently.

Don'ts

Don't enter the homeschool arena without the support and encouragement of your spouse. Homeschooling places extra demands on the teaching spouse. Without the loving, patient support of both spouses, a marriage can quickly feel drained.

Don't start homeschooling your child without knowing the local and state laws. Some school board districts require homeschool families to register. Standardized test results are required by some jurisdictions. Some states allow portfolio evaluations to determine if the student is ready to be promoted. Each state and even each county might have slightly different homeschool guidelines and laws. Know them!

Don't slack on paperwork. If your homeschooled child needs a portfolio of samples of his work, keep it up to date. Keep lists of curricula used, books read, field trips, and test results. Shoddy paperwork can hamper a high schooler when it's time to apply to colleges. Poor record keeping can also reflect poorly on other homeschoolers.

Don't buy every book vendor's complete catalog selection! Homeschoolers tend to be book lovers and curriculum hounds. If most homeschoolers used all the books they owned, their children could probably teach at Harvard! Buy only what you need for the upcoming school year. Avail yourself of online resources, too.

Homeschooling is an educational option that works wonderfully for thousands of people each year, but knowing the dos and don'ts of home education can save you, your spouse, and especially your children a lot of stress and missteps! Above all, do go into homeschooling with your eyes and heart open to all the possibilities it offers.

Learn more about this author, Jan Vroegin.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about Homeschooling dos and don'ts?
We want to hear your view. Write now!