Apr. 1, 2008 - How Do I Begin?

You have heard about homeschooling and now you would like to learn more about it, but where do you begin?

Homeschooling your children will take a commitment from you; and maybe you're wondering if it is something that you would really be able to do. It does take hard work, but it is not so different from being committed to being their parent. Begin by seeking the Lord's direction, read and learn as much as you can about homeschooling, talk with other homeschoolers, and if possible, attend a homeschool convention.

As your children grow, they will need to be educated and you will have to decide how that will take place and who will be doing it. God's word tells us in Deuteronomy 6:6-7 that our children are to be taught by us throughout the day.

     "And these words, which I command thee this day shall
      be in thine heart:
      And thou shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine
      house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when
      thou liest down, and when thou risest up."

You may choose to delegate the teaching of your children to someone else. But do you have any control over what they will be taught, what they will be learning, or what the environment they will be in? Those are some important questions to ask yourself. If you choose to homeschool your children, you will be able to be with them throughout the day and will be able to choose what they will be learning. Along with your spouse, seek the Lord through prayer and His Word for direction and guidance in this area.

Reading as much as you can about homeschooling will help you have a better understanding of what it is and also how to do it. There are so many wonderful books on this subject that will give you a better understanding about what it is all about and why you would want to homeschool.

Here is a very short list of books and websites about homeschooling that I'd recommend. (You can check your local library for these titles. If they do not have them you can ask your library if they would inter-library loan them. An inter-library loan is when they get the desired item from another library for you. If you still can't find them, you could ask a friend if they have any you could borrow, or you could buy them from one of the homeschool companies listed in the left sidebar.)

Home Schooling: The Right Choice - An Academic, Historical, Practical, and Legal Perspective by Christopher Klicka

Homeschooling Methods: Seasoned Advice on Learning Styles by Gena and Paul Suarez

The Heart of Homeschooling: Teaching & Living What Really Matters by Christopher Klicka

Educating the Whole Hearted Child by Clay and Sally Clarkson

Charlotte Mason Companion by Karen Andreola

Teaching the Trivium by Harvey and Laurie Bluedorn

100 Top Picks for Homeschool Curriculum: Choosing the Right Curriculum and Approach for Your Child's Learning Style by Cathy Duffy

Mary Pride's Complete Guide to Getting Started in Homeschooling by Mary Pride

Homeschooling - How to Get Started to download this FREE e-book Click Here

HSLDA You Can Homeschool (Click Here)

Beginning to Homeschool

How To Homeschool

Biblical Reasons to Homeschool by Chris Klicka

You can also learn so much by talking with other homeschoolers, such as how they homeschool, what they use, what works for them, and what didn't work for them. One of the beauties of homeschooling is the diversity that each family can have - there does not have to be any cookie cutters stamping out exact duplicates. Each family will teach different and have a different style because the people in each family will be different. If you don't know any other homeschooling families, you might want to just ask around. You could also go to the Indiana Association of Home Educators website and look up the region that you are in and contact your region representatives and they can help you connect with someone locally. You will find that site here.

Another option would be to search around on HomeschoolBlogger and look for families that are sharing what is going on in their homeschool and how they do it. It is a great way to learn the different ways real families are educating their children at home.  You can find the link to that at very top of this page.

Attending a homeschool convention would be a great advantage for you as you begin this adventure. You can learn from speakers who will share their insights and knowledge concerning all different aspects of homeschooling. There are also vendor halls so you can get a first hand look at the different curriculum available. Being able to see the curriculum and browse through it before purchasing can be very helpful. The statewide Indiana convention is held yearly in the spring. You can find out more details about it here. The Fort Wayne Area Home Schools have a convention yearly in May. Details for it are here.

We have put several links on both sidebars of this site so you can connect with different resources that will help you with your homeschool. One of the most important and helpful sites is the Home School Legal Defense Association. They offer legal assistance and information, as well as work tirelessly to help keep homeschooling legal. You should direct any legal questions directly to them. Looking over their website will give you much encouragement and information.

Another helpful site is the National Home Education Research Institute. It offers documentation about homeschooling and how homeschool children compare with public and private schooled children.

As you investigate homeschooling, you will learn about different styles of homeschooling such as Classical, Charlotte Mason, Unit Studies, Traditional Textbook, Delight Directed, etc. You will find that many families use an eclectic approach and pull from many of these different styles to make their own unique homeschool.  You will also be able to learn more about your child's own learning style.

Homeschooling does indeed take a major commitment in your life, but what you may be surprised to find is that after the initial learning and adjustment phase, it will become a way of life, and your family is closer as a result of it. May God bless you as you begin to teach and train your own children.

Blessings,
Robin