Layne

you can actually go to wal mart and pick up books for teaching and they are seperated by age. Depending on your states laws that is all you have to do. You would need to call the school district and find out what they require state wise on this. Some states require you to do there program and mail in tests when done with a section or a subject.

Ahmad

There are state tests that need to be taken on your part and on the child’s part. The child’s tests are on going; kind of like a progress check. The first step you need to take is to call the local school district, they will get you the number for the board of education that can set you up with the necessary paperwork to get the ball rolling.

Sofia

I thought about this as well and the first question I asked myself was do I have the educational background needed to successfully teach my child. The second was - how much do I value the socialization experiences that school offers for my child. Both my husband and I have advanced degrees so having the educational background wasn’t an issue for us. However, we decided that as an only child he needed the socialization skills that homeschooling wouldn’t provide him with. So, we opted for a small charter school and he’s been doing well there.

Judith

First you must inform your school district that you are going to home school your child. Then go to your local school district office for source materials on the subjects your child will need to cover to receive credit for graduation. Brousing the internet can supply many locations to acquire study materials and there are help groups that can assist you in most larger cities.

Jamie

NO ! OK you can start with counting ,color shapes, songs I would like too know what you did to start home school because want too start it too i think everybody should do it if they have a problem with public schools

Kamryn

you need to contact the school board, cause they will send a teacher 2 times a week to home school the child.i was home schooled, and i liked it.

Skyla

i had my son home schooled for awhile all i did was go to the public school that was in my district and let them know. from there the school may help you w/ material but if not you have to supply it yourself and you have to report to the school what your teaching the child(ren) and they grade him or her to see if your educating him or her successfully or not.thats what i had to do where i live it may very but this is the idea of it i hope it helps you out.

Kaeden

hey try this site, see if it helps

Haven

Homeschooling goes on all the time - you’ve already started even if they aren’t 5.
There is a place out of Florida that has a whole curriculum for all ages; including evaluations to make sure the the children are at grade level and in compliance with learning standards. If the child is having trouble with certain areas, they also have addendums for additional learning skills.
It is listed on the Internet - I don’t have the name of it.

Paris

Congrats on that, you are about to begin a great journey.
Where do you start? First thing is to report to your school district…from there you’re gone! The best thing about home schooling is that it’s your way, which is often the better way since you know your individual children better than anyone else does. You don’t have to wait until they’re five, since you’re home with them you can start when you want. If they’re not ready until five, then you can start with the simple things. ABCs, numbers, and writing their names. Making songs out of things often helps them learn the subject faster. You can also make charts with poster boards and markers with the subject on it, and for right at the beginning you can find number cards and alphabet cards at Walmart for cheap. For starting with the books there are sooo many choices, most of which can be found or ordered off of the internet. Here are a few: Alpha and Omega, Abeka, Saxon Math (excellent, highly recommended but doesn’t start until third grade,) and ACE paces.
Believe me, you’ll have so much fun with this if you just don’t stress over it, there is help everywhere you look. Also for if you want to teach them science or history or something at this young age, you can check out the library for books about almost anything.
Don’t let anyone tell you that your kids can’t have a life being homeschooled, they can. It’s just up to you to provide that.
I hope that helps, good luck!!!

Travis

You should start home schooling when they are able to realize the difference from right and wrong, and also if you do decide you should at least go and take some class up in school so your child or children want be left behind if you do decide to enroll your child or children in public or private school, but if i was you i would let my child go to private or public school so they would have the ability to have friends and a LIFE outside the house without their parents always in their face.

Adrian

It is always best to start children on a basic learning curriculum as early as possible. I think it is in the best interest of the child if they are, however, enrolled in preschool or kindergarten. This gives them the opportunity to assimilate to working with other children who aren’t their siblings. It helps them to develop positive social skills.
When they reach an age where they may be placed in home school most school districts have a home study program that is monitored through the district office. There are even home school programs that will allow your child to participate in extra-curricular sports and clubs. Call the district office of your particular school district and they will be able to provide all the information for you.

Sean

A good start is to try and find home school groups in your neighborhood. There are curriculum fairs in most states all of the time. Do search on Internet. Christian Book Stores have lots of curriculum and idea books. Also you can so search on homeschooling in Google and come up with all kinds of websites to help you.. Find one below..

Brad

Here are some websites

This website has a list of the laws and legalities in your state (whichever that may be) which may give you the ebst answers to some of your questions:

As for age limits, etc. This depends on which state you live in but any information you need should be at the website above or the links below. Hope this helps.

Oscar

Don’t do it.

Jazlyn

First, start with your state’s department of education to find out the educational requirements you need to follow (these vary state to state).
Second, decide who will teach your child as well as how long you plan to teach them at home–you may need a tutor as the children get older because you might know much about certain topics.
Finally, iit is REALLY important to work a social life into your curriculum. this can be through organizations where homeschooled families get together, after-school programs at your local public school are also options.

Edwin

Find a parent or group in your area that will help mentor you. Try the library and church. Post a message at the library looking for help. Also teacher supply stores will help you. Just don’t trash the local school because most part time summer workers are teachers in the schools or are former teachers. I wish someone had told me that. My problem is when people ask me why I answer. In a small town this is bad.

Karla

Home schooling is a great way to go if you are not happy with public schools or live far from a school. There are many ways to go about it. There are home school courses on the internet, your local school school district can help you out with state laws so you can keep track of testing. I think its the way to go!

Alexis

First of all you have to go by your states rules and regulations. In the state of NC .They require your high school diploma and transcripts,of the one teaching . Some schools will not let you have books . I went to barns and noble , and school stores that work with the teachers . My daughter is one of the highest ranking in the CAT test of the state of NC . I have colleges calling me wanting her to go . But too depending on the state you live in some of the states want let you home school and some colleges won’t accept you. Good thing is you can keeping going through make it fun .One grade to the next and they can be out faster than some of the kids going to regular school.
DP

Jaquan

The first thing to do is to contact your state or local board of education to find out what their requirements are for home-schooling and for education in general. Most states have the information online. I would recommend starting at the state level. If you are not already required to go through a “bona fide” home-schooling program that provides core materials and testing, you may decide whether or not you wish to create your own curriculum based on the educational requirements by grade or find a program that fits your needs, your pocketbook, or even your spiritual beliefs. There are many different types of home-schooling programs out there, and many parents who decide to home-school choose to go with one of these programs.

If your state requires certain accreditation of home-school programs, remember to verify that the program you choose meets those requirements.

As for the age, most states “recommend” that the child is either 5 or approaching 5 within a few months of starting school. Again, check with your board of education. One thing to remember when deciding whether or not to start your child early (or even choosing whether or not to speed up your child’s education process) - if you ever change your mind and enroll them in a public or private school (or even sending them off to college), it will be easier for the child if he or she is placed with people near his/her own age. While many people may argue this point, a certain level of maturity is gained from life experience, and even if your child is very mature for their age, the other students will be aware of the age gap and may treat your child accordingly. Also, remember that your child needs human interaction with the outside world, so enroll them in extracurricular activities.

Remember, you’re not just raising your child - you’re raising a human being that needs to be able to function in society.

Giana

get them involved a state program - here in ohio - it is called digital academy

Darien

I am a homeschooling mom.

First you need to start by contacting your local (state) Board of Education. Request the forms for homeschooling. There are 2 rules for homeschooling in Nebraska, I believe they are nationwide. Rule 12 is for a non-religious reason and Rule 13 is for religious reasons. You will need to fill out all the paperwork they send you, and then they also will need the original certified copy(-y ies) of your child(ren)’s birth certificate.

One of the best places that I have found to search for homeschooling curriculum is on Ebay. I personally use the Abeka and Alpha Omega programs.

There is no set age at which you can start. The law just requires that you child start by 6yrs old.

If you have any further questions, I would be more than happy to help. My email is and my name is Jenepher. Thanks

Cory

I was home schooled for 11 years. I am now in college. Christian Liberty Press has the best curriculum. They combine christian principles to everyday teaching. They also use Abeka Book. Just go to christianlobertypress.org and they have all the info. You just order a packet for his/her age and they send it to you. It’s that easy. It also helps you teach it to them and everything.

Lilah

check the required curriculum

Cedric

You would like to begin homeschooling. Your children are already in school. How do you begin? Start with a trip through the Home School Legal Defense Association’s website (http://www.hslda.org) to learn what must be done in your area to be in compliance with your state’s laws.The first physical step would be to pull your children from the school system they are in, but truly, you already have started teaching them.From there you can begin with the books that you already have around the house. Literature is a great way to start: read to your children, and have them read to you. Make cookies together and do the math of fractions. When you begin to doubt whether you are doing enough, stop to consider how much time your children would be wasting in a classroom while waiting in line, waiting for silence, or waiting for the teacher to finish whatever is going on before they can all move on to the next thing.

Soren

call the b.o.e and ask them to send you some books on the grade you want and tell them you are going to home school and thy will send you some Info’s

Zayne

You should start from the beginning, when your children are infants, by loving them, and reading to them, that’s where geniuses mothers from around the world started.

Kaitlin

I see that there are great answers for the academic aspect of homeschooling. But what about the social aspect. It seems many parents are concerned about that area.

My suggestion is to take advantage of everyday social experiences. Take your child to the park when other neighborhood children are around. Take your child to the children’s library where they have reading circles and other social events. Whereever children congregate becomes a learning experience for social skills.

I think it is a fallacy that public schools teach social skills. Many of the social skills are also quite negative such as bullying and social cliques.

Caitlin

Every state has different requirements - some or more lenient (like Texas) others are MUCH more strict (like Pennsylvania). Start at the HSLDA website to get an overview of what your state’s requirements are and what they will and won’t help you with (here in Texas, we’re pretty much on our own, but we don’t have to report to anyone either!).

Next you need to start looking at curriculum and this can be overwhelming. You have several options. You could go with someone like Alpha-Omega or Bob Jones and use all their curriculum for every subject. Or you could go really old-school and use living books (no textbooks, no workbooks, just reading fiction and non-fiction, using blocks and other items on hand for math, etc.) Or, you could combine these two and use some prepared curriculum (say, for math) and create your own for other subjects (say, history).

There are several good curriculum reviewers (Cathy Duffy and Rebecca Rupp come to mind). An EXCELLENT source of info is your local homeschooling group (most towns and cities have at least one). There, you can talk to veteran homeschoolers and find out how they’ve overcome some of the difficulties you are facing (and will face) and even preview some of the curriculum you’re thinking of using (maybe even buy it used - bonus!)

I agree that you’ve been schooling your kids all the time, whether you realize it or not. I wouldn’t do too much for the K year (mainly math and English - phonics, reading, writing). One of the best resources I have seen is a book by Jessie Wise and Susan Wise-Bauer called, “The Well-Trained Mind”. They give detailed descriptions of what you CAN do for each year (although it can seem overwhelming, they specifically say you don’t HAVE to do everything they mention). Or, check out, “Home Learning Year-by-Year” by Rebecca Rupp.

It can all seem like so much when you’re just starting out, but after a short time, you’ll get into a groove and wonder how you ever thought this would be tough. My only word of caution is to make sure you get them involved in something that requires them to interact with others (scouts, drama, sports, homeschool co-ops, park days).

Coleman

When i did the home schooling i went to the board of education they will tell you everything you need to know,Hope this helps

Janessa

maybe start w/hooked on phonics.
it’s great for kids under 5. they have math and reading programs.
use the library. there is no charge and you can see if your ready to home school. maybe u and the kids won’t be as ready as you think.
good luck!!

Lyric

First of all the answer to the age question. You started homeschooling your child they day they were born, maybe sooner if you talked or read or sang to your unborn baby. Who taught your child to walk, talk, eat, manners, all of that? The best thing to do, if you are serious is to find out your states laws. Dont ask the public school or school board, they are not always sure of the exact laws. Here is a sight to check out, it will give you the laws for your state and links that you can go to for more info If you want to become a member with them they will also provide legal help if the school district or Social Services ever gives you problems with homeschooling, sometimes they offer free trial membership (doesn’t require credit card) or free membership to families that are struggling. And yes, you can give the best to your children because you know them the best. You know how they learn, so you know how to teach them. The public school can not possibly do this.

Kayla

I agree with you. I started with. They have a starter kit that includes a book that I really liked. They also had information about what each different state requires and the different methods for teaching children - how you can get online curriculums or go with the unschooling method, etc.

I am in california and there are a lot of great resources on line (I added links below) for state homeschool associations, etc. Here children don’t have to go to school til they are 6 and each year in October you have to send a form letter of intention.

I use the unschooling method, and as a computer professional it was natural for me to turn to educational web sites for my kids. My 6 year old taught herself to read a year ago and the almost 3 year old can do simple math problems and spell about 15 words so far. They are certainly beyond the curriculums of the local preschools.

For socialization I have a great Mother’s Club in my area, a local library (that is just starting a summer program) and lots of time at the playground. I plan to get them into classes during the school year (karate, gymastics, whatever they like) to keep them socializing.

You can do it - and you will be so glad you did! Please feel free to contact me if I can be of any further help. Peace!

Maddox

In NJ we also have no law about it, we’re totally on our own, but the plus side is we don’t have to report to anyone, as the Texas person said. You NEED to find out your own state’s laws. DO NOT ASK THE SCHOOL. Schools often know nothing about homeschooling, I have even been given totally fabricated multi-page forms to fill out, which I didn’t do, and found out later was just some weird idea of someone at that school to keep tabs on people, which is not legal. It almost asked their permission to HS my son. Not necessary, not legal! You can do whatever you like with your kid(s), as long as no one thinks it is harming them. You got a lot of good advice here, except please don’t ask your school for advice. Sometimes it looks bad for them to be “losing students”, so they might try to talk you out of it, or give you info they simply don’t know is correct.

Braylon

Elijah Company has synopsized many approaches to homeschooling. There are many different ways to go at it - pick the one that is right for you and your kids.