Homeschooling For Beginners

“Education is a natural process carried out by the child and is not acquired through listening to words, but by experiences in the environment.”

Maria Montessori

The decision to homeschool is on a lot of parents’ minds right now.

Do we, don’t we? How do we do it? How do we fit it in, especially if we’re still working? Do I know enough to actually teach my children? How do I teach them? What are they supposed to know? Will they be behind if I choose to homeschool?

I hear you. It’s a lot to consider, but know this: You have and know everything you need to teach your children.

In fact, you’re better qualified to teach your child than anyone else simply because you know your child best already.

Homeschooling is as complicated or as simple as you want to make it. Preschoolers are the easiest and most fun!

Homeschool Versus Distance Learning

First off let’s clarify this. Learning-at-home where the instructions come from online zoom classes or a teacher is not homeschooling.

Homeschooling is where you as the parent or caregiver are giving the instruction and deciding what comes next.

Distance learning is what is most prevalent right now and become a misnomer for homeschooling. It is lesson plans and work given to kids via online portals and email. And classes by video calls.

This kind of education requires a child to do schoolwork most of the day and “check in” at certain times, with their teacher.

A child participating in this is still part of the school system and doing the same work as their peers, but in their own home.

Homeschooling is freedom from the school curriculum. It gives parents the freedom to choose the curriculum they want for their child, or let the child’s interests and skills determine it.

What Your Child Needs to Know

Kids learn best with hands-on experiences. They learn through doing and experiencing life, not memorizing and drills.

The early years with our children should be about fostering a love of nature, inquisitiveness, play, exploring and most of all, a love of learning.

That lovely word, “why?” should be encouraged on both their end and yours. I know, it can be awful when you just want peace and quiet and no, you don’t know why the sun is called ‘the sun’ but that’s an interesting question.

The preschool and elementary years are a rapid growth phase in terms of understanding concepts and recognition.

You can find general curriculum lists online from your school division or province/state.

I have scoured information to see if there is a consensus on what a child learns at each “grade” and there is – internationally! It’s very basic.

I’ve included some graphics below to give you a jumping off point but remember, homeschooling is not conventional school.

You do not need to follow these lists. This is just to being you some framework if it need that.

Its important to keep in mind that kids develop at their own rate.

How to Teach Your Child

The teaching is easy, you just have to let go and have fun!

Board games and card games are fantastic for learning reading and counting. My kid has become like a moth to a light, to board games.

He’s playing games now meant for 8 year olds and even plays them solo, calling out the moves so we all know what’s up.

Cooking! Heat, liquid, solid, gas, chemistry, measurements, reading a recipe and numbers.

Gardening is science, social studies, reading and writing. And practical life skills to boot!

Kids learn how nature grows, composting, seed spacing, harvesting, predatory pests. There are some great nature workbooks you can use as resources, even for younger kids.

Singing songs, dancing, listening to the crickets and grasshoppers and birds make their own music and communication.

Reading snuggled up every day, spending hours outside exploring nature, visiting the library or firehall and learning how the community works,

Play dates! Museum trips! Visiting local businesses, grocery shopping, the bank, the hardware store. Ok, maybe right now those are less of an option but involve your kid in LIFE.

Household chores – do it with them. Have then help you change that light bulb or take out the garbage.

Laundry, pulling weeds, cleaning, repairing things, chopping wood. The possibilities to learn are endless.

And ya know what? Your kid is going to learn useful things like balancing a budget, making meals, changing a tire, what it takes to raise a family and take care of a property and even animals.

Remember those things you think would have prepared you a lot better for life than learning calculus? (Love calculus by the way #nerd)

Your kid will learn what they need to learn, AND learn those life skills.

Encourage questions and ask for the thought process. Encourage problem solving allowing your child to build confidence in their own abilities, even when they make mistakes.

Use buttons, cars, rocks, pinecones, cut out shapes and letters from magazines. Play with playdough and older kids.

Talking to mom ALL DAY (I know, I know!).

If they don’t want to learn it, move on. Things may change in the next 6 months and they’ll be asking to learn it.

But HOW Do I Make Sure They Learn It

And don’t fall behind. A common, practical question.

Homeschooling allows you to work at the pace and needs of the child. And so much can be done just by letting them in on LIFE.

Resources – free printables + games

You don’t have to know everything, you just have to learn your resources. Foster that love of learning and your kids will teach themselves.

Heck, my main phrase for the last two years to every ‘why’ is, “I don’t know.”

The important follow up to remember is, “that’s a great question, let’s write that down so we can find a book at the ljbrary/who do you think we can ask that question to who might know the answer?”

Your kid seems to love rocks but you’re no geologist, the library is one of the best resources you have. An equally great thing, other people!

Find a local expert and meet up to do a nature hike or explore their workplace or for older kids, have them send their questions or chat on the phone.

I know of many families whose kids’ interest went well beyond their parents knowledge and that’s ok! Connect with an expert or resource that your kid can ask all their questions to and learn from.

Benefits of Homeschooling

Homeschooling takes less time than regular school.

A preschooler only does about 15 minutes of “school” and that doesn’t need to be every day. As you can see, they learn 24/7.

There’s less pressure on the family and kids – no buses to catch, no bells to be on time for, you don’t have to stay in your seat to learn if laying backwards off the couch is more preferred.

Homeschooling provides a flexibility like no other. You can work it around your schedule, including your work schedule! Take holidays when you want, learn when it works best.

Your child can focus on their interests and develop their strengths rather than following a strict curriculum and schedule which doesn’t suit their needs.

If you have kids of multiple ages they can teach each other. The best way to learn is to teach someone else after all!

And homeschool kids tend to have more self-confidence and better social skills than those in public school. It’s a little known fact that universities actually LOVE homeschool kids.

You won’t screw them up, promise!

Homeschooling 101

You have everything you need to teach your child. Homeschooling is not school-at-home, it’s education through experiences – LIFE experiences. Many things you can’t, don’t, and won’t get through the school system.

The younger years learn most through hands-on experience and play.

I think once you get over that initial, “can I do this?” (Yes you can!) you’ll quickly see the joy in it.

In fact, since you’ve made it to the end here I think you know you have a desire to do this.

I can see that excitement there! You see how it all fits together, right? You know you’ve already been homeschooling this whole time.

You’re ready and capable of raising your child to be curious and inquisitive of the world around them while also teaching them to treat others with kindness.

Enjoy it! They’re only little once and are experiencing this world with a sense of wonderment. Go there with them and love the crazy!