Homeschooling: Getting Started
Making a decision about your child's education can feel pretty heavy. I get it. We all want the best for our kids. The problem is that we often make quick assumptions based on societal and cultural norms without really understanding all our options or even pausing to collaborate with the very humans we care about most. One of the advantages of homeschooling is empowering children to start owning their education, experiences, and choices early on. When we practice making decisions (instead of just being told what, when, and how to do everything), we learn to make better ones! Not only can choice promote healthy intrinsic motivation but it can also foster a deeper sense of Self. And what better time to explore what really makes us tick as individuals than during childhood? Perhaps there would be less anxiety, depression, job dissatisfaction, mid-life crises, and therapy bills if we were given the proper time and space to really explore what lights us up. A highly-specialized education just isn’t possible in a room full of 30+ kids. It’s much more efficient to view children as vessels needing to be filled…filled with quantitative data taught in a linear progression with systematized checkpoints. The problem is that we’re no longer in the industrial revolution and we’re most definitely not robots! In an age where information is plentiful, we’re in need of creative, passionate thinkers!! Providing a rich environment full of ideas, information, and experiences for children to pull from creates an irresistible “buffet” as Charlotte Mason, a true pioneer in education, shared in her philosophy and teachings. Exposure to a variety of options paired with the freedom to find meaningful connections allows for a depth of learning that sticks. Even as adults we can attest to a simple truth: we only retain what we’re interested in or can apply right away.
“We only retain what we’re interested in or can apply right away”
It’s truly amazing what happens when we can move beyond teaching to the test - children (and the adults facilitating) are able to focus more on the simple JOY of learning. And joy, in my opinion, is the ultimate goal. We are all born curious. Life is interesting and full of engaging opportunities daily. And thankfully kids are full of questions! Our job is to allow the steady stream of questions to flow because this helps design their unique path! With Google and the library at our disposal, the hardest part of home education is really just clearing space in our lives to support their natural growth. First, identify what could be strangling their roots. Exhaustion from keeping up with all the information (that they may or may not even be ready for)? Using all their energy up trying to focus at a desk for hours? All I know is that without enough breathing room (unhurried time to play and explore, opportunities to move freely, open-ended toys and materials, access to nature, fun stories, and books) there may not be time or energy left to explore what lights them up individually. And we definitely want to avoid burnout or a negative association with learning. It’s important not to confuse education with learning. They are two very different things. And let’s not forget about social, emotional, and physical growth. Are most classrooms able to support the collaboration, communication, and exploration needed to grow in these ways?
I encourage you to let go of everything you thought you knew about homeschooling and keep an open mind. Your family’s homeschool journey can be (and should be) as unique as you are! Which makes sense right? We know we all have different strengths and weaknesses, different curiosities and life experiences, different learning styles…different family dynamics! But most of us were pushed into a very linear trajectory even if it wasn’t an ideal match. Homeschooling gives you the chance to create a custom match for your unique child to thrive! You know your child better than anyone and no one else is as invested as you are in their success and happiness.
Important things to consider:
1. Your WHY
There are hundreds of different reasons people choose to homeschool. For us, it was all about freedom and flexibility, and the desire to learn and grow together! I had witnessed how curious and engaged my oldest was as a preschooler and I couldn’t imagine not being part of his daily discovery. I also wanted him to enjoy a simple childhood as long as possible. I knew that play is the most important job for young kids and I saw him thriving with all the outdoor time, read alouds, and imaginary play as his foundation.
Homeschooling can be a solution for kids either struggling or needing a bigger challenge academically. A 1:1 or even 1:6 ratio makes it much easier to tailor education needs (and it also gives permission to be at a different level for different subjects). One of my favorite reasons to homeschool actually is having the ability to combine subjects and topics. Learning is so much more satisfying when you see the real-life connections and encourage overlap between subjects. Unit studies are a great way to provide bigger connections, eliminate the need for 7 segmented subjects, and build curiosity that leads to even more child-directed learning.
Beyond academic benefits and support, many families choose to homeschool because it’s easier to incorporate family values and culture, have more quality time together, and simply have more choices with your time! Homeschooling can free you up for more physical movement, nature time, outside sports, travel, friends, community involvement, and of course specific hobbies and extra-curricular classes. Let yourself visualize what’s possible!
2. Your state laws
If your child has already attended school, you’ll want to understand the process of withdrawing your child and what your state homeschooling requirements may be (including possible testing & mandatory subjects).
Here’s a great place to start: Homeschool Laws by State
If you are in the state of Nevada, I highly recommend RISE Resource Center. RISE helps mentor and support parents as they seek out an educational journey that fits their family (homeschooling, charter schooling, public school, or others). They also seek to help educate the community about homeschooling. Here is the link for the Notice of Intent letter you’ll be required to submit for Nevada. It’s a one-time submission, and you’ll receive a confirmation letter. That’s it! The only time you’ll need to communicate or update them is if you move or your name changes. Super simple!
3. Deschooling process
Homeschooling is NOT about recreating school at home. It’s going to take some reprogramming to the conditioning surrounding what counts as learning. It may even feel awkward at first if you’re not used to unscheduled time, but it’s crucial. Welcome this transition with open arms!! Use this time to reconnect and really nurture your child’s interests. It shouldn’t be rushed. Imagine baking cookies together just for fun, taking a few trips to the library with no agenda, getting outside to hike, visiting a new park, looking up watercolor or drawing tutorials online, listening to an audiobook while building with Lego, and going on a couple of field trips. Fun, right?
It’s often recommended that families should take one month off to ‘deschool‘ for every year spent in traditional school. Don’t skip this step! Believe me, we have to be willing to slow down before we can ‘go fast’. And remember, this can be a meaningful part of self-discovery for you and your child. If you need more inspiration, check out my favorite books about homeschooling here.
4. Learning styles
Did you know there are 7 different learning styles? Many of us probably already identify with one of the 3 main learning styles (visual, auditory, or kinesthetic), but you can go a little further and factor in cognitive ability, emotions, and environmental factors as well. Everyone has a mix of learning styles, often with one style more dominant. Recognizing your child’s preferences and natural abilities can help support their learning experiences and maximize their strengths.
The Seven Learning Styles
Visual (spatial): You prefer using pictures, images, and spatial understanding.
Aural (auditory-musical): You prefer using sound and music.
Verbal (linguistic): You prefer using words, both in speech and writing.
Physical (kinesthetic): You prefer using your body, hands, and sense of touch.
Logical (mathematical): You prefer using logic, reasoning, and systems.
Social (interpersonal): You prefer to learn in groups or with other people.
Solitary (intrapersonal): You prefer to work alone and use self-study.
5. Homeschool philosophies
You definitely don’t need to understand all the different homeschool philosophies before you get started. You don’t even have to choose one, ever. It’s common to blend a couple or be inspired by certain aspects and create your own eclectic mix. Please don’t let any of it overwhelm you. I recommend focusing on simply learning to trust your child’s innate ability to learn (and your natural ability to support them). To help build foundational confidence and add to your toolbox, I highly recommend reading:
The Call of the Wild and Free: Reclaiming Wonder in Your Child's Education
The Brave Learner: Finding Everyday Magic in Homeschool, Learning, and Life
If you’re curious about the main homeschool styles and philosophies, you can read an unbiased overview and take a fun quiz.
* Warning: you may be tempted to go down some new rabbit holes ;)
6. Group learning: Co-ops, Pods, Micro-schools
Contrary to what many people assume, homeschooling doesn’t actually mean spending all of your time at home. With more choice and flexibility you get the freedom to add a huge amount of variety to your days. Instead of relying on textbooks and worksheets, you’re able to include more hands-on experiential learning - which adds value educationally but also socially. Field trips, museums, nature outings, book clubs, and even more traditional subjects are always more exciting with close friends! You’ll just have to find your people :)
Homeschool cooperatives (co-op for short) can vary greatly by size, structure, and function. But at the core, a co-op is basically a group of families who agree to meet regularly for a common purpose or goal. They can range from a close group of 3-5 families to a much more structured organization complete with board members, fees, and applications. I personally don’t have experience with large co-ops, but they can be valuable when you’re just starting out and you don’t know any other homeschooling families yet. I’ve found success in small co-ops (3-7 families) who have similar interests or philosophies. We rarely have sessions focused on core academic work personally, but instead keep it fun and light (and inclusive of a broad age range) by doing enriching activities like art, nature, country studies, and book club parties together.
Summer Art Co-op that met every Friday 2016
Wild Robot book club party in the mountains.
An activity from the Winnie the Pooh book club party.
FIAR literature mini unit study with friends.
End of the summer art co-op finale - 2016.
Activities from The Secret Garden book club.
Exploring life as early humans - music and tools.
Presenting Japan to our Culture Club Co-op.
What if both parents work?
When both parents work full time you have to get more creative, but homeschooling is still possible! That’s the beauty of learning and living on your own terms. Learning can happen at all different hours, with a variety or combination of caretakers, parents, and tutors. And when there aren’t 30 children to corral, transition, and re-group from distractions and interruptions all-day children get a lot more attention on what they specifically need and want. That usually means needing less than 1/3 of a typical school day to cover the same material - especially for elementary ages.
Homeschooling pods and micro-schools have been around for many years but really became popular in 2020-2021 due to the pandemic.
How to Create a Homeschool Pod or School Pod
Pods, Microschools and Tutors: Can Parents Solve the Education Crisis on Their Own?
What if I’m still unsure??
I know the idea of life without school can feel like you’re adopting a foreign language and lifestyle, but it’s a very empowering journey. Just focus on one small step at a time.
It’s definitely not always easy, but I’d choose it over and over again! The opportunity for closer relationships and connection (with your children, friends, and community is unmatched). But I’m not going to let you believe I have it all figured (even after 9 years into homeschooling)…quite the opposite. I still feel like a total newbie some days! That’s the beauty I guess. A life full of exploration, curiosity, and community will never feel boring or predictable since you’re continually challenged and growing alongside your child(ren). You just have to be willing to plant some seeds and start watering! Let the roots establish themselves (no premature checking - this is where patience and trust come in), mindfully weed …and you’ll be amazed at the new sprouts and flowers you’ll watch blossom!
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