←Allergies Interfering with Life: Homeschooling Basics Part 1 – I try to provide a basic overview of homeschooling for those parents of allergic kids considering homeschooling to help mediate allergies.
How do I know which curriculum to use?
Curriculum choices will depend on your child’s age, learning style, and interests. One great thing about homeschooling is that if something isn’t working, you can change it. I find that one of the best ways to find good curricula is to share a bit about your specific situation and child and ask in homeschool Facebook groups for advice. Curricula can come in the form of books, online schools, computer programs, print-outs, apps, websites, or classes outside the home.
What about gym? Music?
Most homeschooling children participate in physical activity by going to parks, playing with other homeschooled children, and signing up for sports activities outside the home. They meet even more friends at these activities. Music lessons can be signed up for in the same manner, either during the day or on weekends.
What is deschooling?
Deschooling is the primary step in beginning homeschooling. Deschooling is the process of allowing a child and parent to relax, let go of preconceived notions of how a typical school day should run, and learn to be curious again. Typically it’s recommended that deschooling last one week for every month the child spent in school. During deschooling, no educational activities should be introduced. The child should be allowed to play and choose their own activities throughout the course of the day. The parent may feel like this process is holding their child back, but it is a necessary process. You’ll know your child is ready to begin homeschooling when they start to exhibit curiosity and interest in learning about the world around them.
Isn’t homeschooling a religious thing?
While it is true that many choose to homeschool for religious reasons, many parents are choosing to homeschool for other reasons, and the variety of available curriculum is adapting to fit the community’s needs. We are non-religious homeschoolers, and for almost every subject we use secular homeschool curricula. History seems to be a more challenging one to find religion-free. We chose a book set with only mild Christian overtones and use the religious references as opportunities to discuss religion in general, and how beliefs vary between cultures and religions, or how viewpoints have changed over the years. There are strictly religious homeschool groups out there, but more and more popping up for secular homeschoolers.
How do kids get into college/university after homeschooling?
Homeschooling a high school student can be a bit more challenging than elementary school, but again, it depends on the child and the specific situation. Many US colleges are beginning to see the benefit of a home school education and have developed special procedures for homeschoolers. Some homeschoolers track specific areas of study more closely in high school and make up homeschool transcripts. Some homeschoolers are already ahead of the system and will take college credits early, meeting the prerequisites for post-secondary schools at the college level. Some homeschoolers take the GED tests. Much more specific information is available on homeschooling Facebook groups, from parents who have been through this already.
Where can I find more information?
My favourite place to find information about homeschooling is on Facebook, though you can also search online. There are a ton of local groups specific to each area. My favourite non-locale-specific Facebook groups:
- Home Schooling/Education WORLDWIDE
- Home School Network
- Homeschool Curriculum Marketplace
- Secular Homeschool Families
- Homeschooling Gifted Kids
Have more questions? Ask below.