Taking the leap into homeschooling can be intimidating. You might think, where do I even start? Every homeschool family’s journey is different, there is no right or wrong answer of how to homeschool.
Step One
Define your intention.
Answer the question; Why? What are you homeschooling? What kind of education do you want to provide for your child? What is your vision for what your days will look like? Journal your answers and reflect.
Step Two
Find a Curriculum.
This step is optional. Some family’s decide to “unschool.” The definition of unschool depends entirely on the family. Some family’s decide to make up their own curriculum as they go along. Curriculums also vary wildly. Some are very rigid, others are very loose. Are you the type of family to need a lot of structure, or would you rather have a loose picture for your lesson plans that you can change depending on your week?
Acorn to Oak’s Alphabet Forest is an Early Learning Curriculum (Ages 3-7) that brings education to the child’s whole being. Each letter is experienced through music, poetry, art, yoga, nature crafts, guided nature walks, finger plays and recipes. Alphabet Forest also includes a phonics and letter building program which teaches reading and writing in a way that is intuitive and child led. Along the way, learn about animals, herbs, trees, bugs and other wonders of the natural world through nature studies, guided walks and nature crafts.
This curriculum can be used as loosely as you would like, but there are plenty of activities to do that can keep you busy every day if you choose.
You can try a free sample lesson here.
The curriculum is available either digitally or as a physical book.
Step 3
Find Your Rhythm.
More than likely, your homeschool will grown and evolve as time goes on. You might need to try different schedules, habits, activities, etc. until you find what works for you. Trust the process.
Step 4
Research your local laws and requirements.
Every state and country will have different requirements to legally homeschool. It is important to know these requirements ahead of time so you can be prepared for documentation or evaluations.
Step 5
Find your people.
In recent years, homeschooling has become a lot more popular. Chances are, there are many homeschool groups around you that provide an opportunity to create friendships. If you can’t find one, start your own! Facebook groups are a great way to make these connections locally.
