How to Start Holistic Homeschooling | HomeSchoolToGo
As a new homeschool parent, thinking about how to homeschool can be overwhelming at first. You have a lot to think about, from the curriculum to the state requirements. However, the time spent at the start will be well worth it. Finally, you'll have more time to spend with your children and a more flexible schedule and learning experience if you're new to Holistic Homeschooling and don't know where to begin or what you'll need to homeschool your child.
Determine why you want to homeschool.
Consider why you're embarking on this journey as you consider how to start Holistic Homeschooling. The reasons for your decision can influence the objectives you set. In turn, your Holistic Homeschooling goals can influence your decisions about your homeschool method, teaching style, and curriculum selection. The following questions can assist you in determining your objectives.
Do you want to ensure that your children learn from a biblical worldview?
Do you want to keep your children safe from a bad environment or negative influences?
Do you want your children to perform better in school?
Do you want your children to have the ability to learn at their own pace?
Do you want your family's schedule to be more flexible for spontaneous adventures or extracurricular activities?
Consider where you'll begin as you set goals for your homeschool. If you are learning how to homeschool your four-year-old, your journey will be different than if you're learning how to homeschool a tenth-grade student.
When should I begin Holistic Homeschooling my child?
There is no set age at which a child should begin Holistic Homeschooling. The best time to start Holistic Homeschooling depends on your family and, more specifically, the needs of each child. Suppose your child struggles in a public or private school setting and is confident that Holistic Homeschooling will help them succeed or thrive. In that case, it makes no difference whether you begin in kindergarten or halfway through eleventh grade. However, that can also work if you believe that your children will be more successful if they complete the elementary steps in a public or private school before beginning to homeschool.
Learn about the Holistic Homeschooling laws and requirements in your state.
Holistic Homeschooling laws differ from one state to the next. Because some states require notice of intent to homeschool, you should learn which rules apply to you as soon as possible in your research. The Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) provides a resource for quickly locating state laws.
What materials do I need to homeschool my child?
In most states, you do not need to be a certified teacher to homeschool your children. To homeschool, many states only require a high school diploma or GED. Others, however, such as Washington and Minnesota, need you to be a certified teacher, have a college degree, or be supervised by an accredited teacher.
Parental Holistic Homeschooling Requirements
A GED or a high school diploma is required.
A declaration of intent to homeschool
The annual standardized testing requirements have been met.
A written curriculum that includes all core courses
A plan for at least 180 days of Holistic Homeschooling
Determine when you will begin Holistic Homeschooling.
You can begin Holistic Homeschooling at any time, even in the middle of the school year. You can start your homeschool year once you're sure you want to homeschool and have satisfied that you've met all of the legal requirements and that your children are free of any obligations in public or private schools. But keep in mind that you must comply with all reporting requirements as they arise. Make a note of any reporting deadlines and conditions in your Holistic Homeschooling plan.
How much time does it take to get started with Holistic Homeschooling?
You can begin your homeschool year in 1–2 months with proper planning. With a bit of determination and foresight, you can start your first homeschool year in one week—the time it takes for textbooks to arrive at your door. Ensure that you have met all of your state's requirements.
Consider accreditation.
Accreditation is not required by state law and does not usually apply to Holistic Homeschooling. Accredited homeschool programs may never be relevant to you, depending on your goals. If you intend to homeschool high school, you should learn more about accreditation and its implication for your homeschool.
Make a strategy for your first year.
You do not need to plan the next 18 years or more before you can begin Holistic Homeschooling. For this year, all you need is a starting point. Experienced Holistic Homeschooling families frequently report that they did not find their groove until their second, third, or even fourth year. Your plan will evolve as you learn more about your children and yourself. Your first-year program can be very fluid, but you'll need to think about how you'll teach, what kind of records you'll keep, and where you'll do your day-to-day learning.
How do I keep track of my Holistic Homeschooling activities?
Depending on your state's requirements, you may be required to save—and keep—records from your years. Keeping track of your grades will assist you in creating a homeschool transcript. You may also need to keep track of the days you spend Holistic Homeschooling. A good homeschool planner will be a valuable resource for these aspects of record-keeping.
You should also keep copies of graded tests (chapter tests and finals), essays, writing assignments, projects, and associated rubrics. These items can help you create a digital homeschool portfolio. Participating in a homeschool record-keeping service can also be beneficial. Homeschool record-keeping services take homeschool families' grade reports into official homeschool transcripts.
The curriculum is not usually required for record-keeping, but saving and storing books may be beneficial when Holistic Homeschooling younger children.
Choose a location for Holistic Homeschooling.
Holistic Homeschooling implies that your children will learn at home, but you should set aside a homeschool space for focused learning. Your homeschool environment can be as flexible as you need it to be. Many homeschoolers spend most of their time learning at the dining room or kitchen table. Some have designated Holistic Homeschooling areas. Others prefer to homeschool their children wherever they want—on the living room couch, on the front porch, or in a treehouse.
You should homeschool wherever convenient for your family and your living situation. Keep in mind that you'll need to keep your year's curriculum and all other resources accessible to everyone who needs them.
Select a Holistic Homeschooling method.
The approach or style you use to teach your children is a homeschool method. Different Holistic Homeschooling styles impact the curriculum you use and may also have an impact on your day-to-day life. Some plans are primarily aimed at children, while others aim primarily at adults.
Popular Holistic Homeschooling methods include:
Traditional
Charlotte Mason's
Classical
Unschooling
Traditional Holistic Homeschooling
The traditional method of Holistic Homeschooling is the most similar to a conventional school. You typically use a standard, big-box, or all-in-one curriculum, and you may be on a set schedule. This is frequently the method used by new Holistic Homeschooling families because it is what most people are familiar with and comfortable with. It's an excellent place to start, especially if you live in a Holistic Homeschooling state.
Charlotte Mason's
Charlotte Mason was a writer, educator, and speaker who emphasized teaching the whole child through quality literature (also known as living books), nature exploration, art, and direct interaction with learning concepts. Activities in the Charlotte Mason method require students to engage with what they're learning fully—they must move and interact with nature, copy lessons word for word, and journal about their thoughts and ideas. Her approach transforms learning into a way of life rather than a task to be completed. Learning becomes an ongoing conversation between parent or teacher and child when narration, dictation, and journaling are used consistently.
Classical Method
A classical education, which is possibly one of the oldest teaching styles, is designed to move children through their stages of development to learn skills that they are mentally and developmentally ready to learn. The three teaching stages, known as the Trivium, represent the stages of development that children go through grammar, logic, and rhetoric.
What is unschooling?
Unschooling, not to be confused with deschooling, is a Holistic Homeschooling style that focuses solely on the child's interests. Textbooks and curriculum are only used if they satisfy a child's curiosity about what is contained within them. There is no class schedule, no homework, and students do not take tests or work on regular projects.
Unschooling allows children to be children while also encouraging them to pursue and learn about their interests at their own pace and on their own time.
Discover how your children learn.
The more you know and understand your children, the better you will be able to tailor their education to their specific learning needs. Knowing your children may entail observing what frequently prevents them from learning or discovering the learning style or styles that most frequently engage them.
What exactly are learning styles?
Learning styles are the various ways in which children process information through their senses. Some children learn better when educational activities are tailored to their learning style. All children learn best when interacting with data using multiple meanings, also known as a multisensory approach.
Investigate your homeschool curriculum choices.
Your curriculum is an essential tool in your Holistic Homeschooling journey. Given its significance, it is acceptable to devote time to researching curriculum options and locating one that meets your requirements. While studying, look for curriculum publishers who meet your family's needs, your goals, and your children's learning needs.
Is the curriculum publisher's resource set all-inclusive or a la carte?
Do they teach from a biblical perspective?
Do they provide materials that encourage multisensory learning?
Is their curriculum intended for parent-led Holistic Homeschooling or independent learning?
Find Support
Without adequate support from family, friends, and mentors, no parent can take on the sole responsibility of training and raising their children. While having a family who supports and validates your decision to homeschool is essential.
