The Transition to Homeschooling

The Transition to Homeschooling
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Judy_Hansen]Judy Hansen and Peter Watly

If you are considering switching to homeschooling from conventional schooling, then there are several things you need to be aware of besides just what kind of homeschool curriculum you would want to embark your kid on. Moving from conventional schooling to homeschooling can be daunting and troublesome for any child, more especially if you, as parents, do not take the time or make the effort to make the transition as smooth and as simple as possible. Preparation is definitely a must here.

Here are the bases that you need to cover when considering switching to homeschooling.

1) Research

This is the first base you need to cover. Research as much as you can and go through every possible homeschooling resource that you can come across with. Look for books, magazines, articles, and all sorts of educational materials that you can find in bookstores, your local library, and even on the internet. The more material and the more information you can get about homeschooling, the more successful the transition would be for your child.

Of course, do not forget to take notes. You will surely come across a lot of information that just leaving important details to mind might become futile in the long run. Take note of all the details you can find so that it would not be that overwhelming on you. More importantly, determine the pace that you find yourself comfortable with.

2) Establish connections

Establishing connections with the right people gets you to places that will surely be of help to any homeschooling parent. By attending a local homeschool convention, you will meet other homeschooling families in your area, and these are people who can surely help you start out. Also, you will have the opportunity to meet homeschooling experts in local conventions - experts who have a lot of valuable input that you can use as guidelines when developing your own homeschooling curriculum. These experts will also discuss the many curriculum possibilities that you can keep in mind so make sure you have an agenda prepared for your trip as well. This way, you can keep track of the curriculum programs that are relevant to your agenda.

Having an agenda will also help you prioritize which speakers and tables to check out in these local conventions. This way, you will not be wasting time checking out a speaker and the material that he or she has to offer, only to drop that homeschooling option in the end. By all means, stick to your agenda.

It is also important to prepare a budget for the guides and books that you will be buying during these conventions. With the numerous available sources, it is quite easy to become tempted to buy virtually everything, including materials that you do not really need for your child's homeschooling program.

3) Create a list of goals

In connection with sticking with only the materials you need, make sure to create a list of goals that you want to achieve for your child's homeschooling programs. Make sure to evaluate your reasons, principles, and philosophies as to why you want to homeschool your child. This way, you can keep track of your child's progress, as well as that of your own as a homeschooling parent. Apart from monitoring you're your progress, you also need to make sure the curriculum, you prepare is indeed effective in teaching your child the right lessons.

4) Determine state laws and regulations on homeschooling

One very important thing to do is to determine the homeschool laws and regulations that your state implements regarding homeschooling. Homeschooling is indeed legal all throughout America. However, the regulations and stipulations circulating homeschooling can vary from one state to another. It is then wise to be informed of such laws so that you are sure that the education you prepare for your child is accepted and thereby recognized at both the state and the local levels.

You should also keep yourself abreast with the latest reentry regulations of the private and public schools in your area, just in case. Homeschooling is not necessarily a permanent option so it is wise to be prepared just in case you want to revert to conventional schooling.

5) Choose the right approach to homeschooling your child

As mentioned above, there are so many approaches to homeschooling your child. The important thing is to find the one that is conducive for your child's learning pace, as well as the one that coincides with your own goals.

However, remember that you do not really have to stick with just one particular method. These are merely guidelines that you can use in developing your own method - one that is customized according to your child's own pacing and needs and your own goals. You can choose to use portions of different programs and combine them into one cohesive whole for your child. Just remember to keep state regulations in mind still.

6) Observe your child's learning style

Just like how homeschooling methods can differ all throughout, so do the learning styles and methods of children. You need to observe how your child learns his or her lessons. Bank on the strengths you find and focus on the areas that need improvement.

For instance, there are some children who are visual learners - the ones who pick up their lessons more productively by using their visual sense. Bank on this strength by providing lessons that can enhance his or her visual sense. Still, do not neglect the other senses so that your child would grow up to be a well-rounded individual, adept to learning all sorts of lessons as needed.

7) Find as much support as you can

You do not have to do homeschooling all on your own. In fact, there are local homeschooling groups that can offer you just the kind of support that you need. Interacting and socializing with parents who are going through the same thing as you are will surely be of great help to you. Chances are, these parents can give you quality advice, as well as valuable sources, which can really help you and your child along. Thus, make sure to find the support that you need - and do not be shy about it. Local support groups can help you stay on the right track, after all.

This article is provided by a homeschooling mum of 2 kids. She enjoys crafting her own [http://www.child-central.com/]homeschool curriculum for preschoolers and has been using flash cards to [http://www.child-