Many parents across the United States and our World are teaching their children at home. The decision to homeschool is initiated by many different reasons. For some, there are religious convictions they feel are best addressed at home. And for others, it's strictly an academic decision, wherein they feel they can provide a superior education for their children. Those are certainly not all the reasons why a family homeschools, but I would venture to say it's most likely the two most common reasons.
If you have been thinking of the possibility of homeschooling your own children, or children-to-be; here are some things you need to consider and some facts to familiarize yourself with, before taking that rewarding responsibility called Homeschooling.
Each country and state has their own set of guidelines and regulations regarding homeschooling, familiarize yourself with those before starting. In some states you have to apply first, showing lesson plans. In other states it's simply a matter of notifying the school board.
There is a plethora of curriculums available to the home educating family. Many of these are quite expensive. Talk with parents of other homeschooling families either in your towns local homeschooling support groups and/or through the internet. You could end up saving a lot of money by getting some good free advice from those who have went before you. Depending on how independent your child works, how much time you have to devote to it, and your family's lifestyle, you may not want to even use a formal curriculum-- many end up dumping theirs in lieu of a self-made collection of materials.
Ask yourself if you can honestly do this. It requires a huge commitment on your part. Decide before you start who will be doing most of the educating. You? Your spouse? Both? Some families have it arranged so that both parents collaborate in the education process-- this is a fabulous way for your child to learn and a nice break for both of you.
And probably the most important thing to realize in your research of home education; forget the public school model of learning that you are so familiar with. In my opinion, that model does not work at home and a less structured, open-minded learning experience is far more enjoyable for both your child and you. You *can* leave the house to learn! Learning doesn't have to take place between the four walls of a public building or your home.
Whatever you decide, it's obvious you care about the education of your child or you wouldn't' be reading this in the first place. Here are my favorite homeschooling resources
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