Homeschooling Resources in San Marcos, California

The decision to homeschool your child instead of having them attend a traditional school environment was likely one that you made with great care and consideration. However, even the most well-intentioned of parents find themselves scrambling when the time comes to begin the homeschooling curriculum. If you have never homeschooled a child before, you may have no idea where to start.

You are not alone. Homeschooling is a grand undertaking that, when paired with hard work and determination, can yield results that will blow you away. This article will enlighten you as to what the average homeschooling parent needs to get their child set up on the path to success.

What Homeschooling Materials Will I Need?

Different curriculums, which are all available online, will point you toward educational materials that will help you in your homeschooling pursuits. What these curriculums do not provide, however, is the environment that the child will need to thrive as a homeschooled student. A designated space in your home that’s dedicated specifically to your child’s schooling time is absolutely essential.

Such a space provides an organized and easily accessed spot to find all of your materials. It also helps to put the parent and child into the learning frame of mind. Consider these items when furnishing your in-home classroom.

• Desktop organizers, shelving units and organizational cabinets are great tools for homeschoolers. You will likely have a lot of small items, like pencils and scissors, as well as books and other materials that you want to be able to access easily. Organizational items will help keep everything in easy reach, so that you never have to search the house to find that one needed item.
• A whiteboard. As a teacher to your child, you will be responsible for helping them to absorb the material that you will be introducing to them. The presentation of information on a whiteboard (or chalk board, if you prefer) can help keep you organized throughout your day and make note-taking a much easier process.
• The essentials. Pens, pencils, scissors, loose-leaf paper and notebooks are a standard part of studying for any student, homeschooled or otherwise. Make sure that your child has access to everything that they will need to record information and participate in crafts and other assignments.
• A desk or table. Many homeschooling parents like to make use of the dining room or kitchen for the purpose of teaching their kids, as these rooms already are equipped with surfaces that are ready for you to use. However, it is not uncommon for parents to buy an additional small desk or table to give their child their own designated space to do their work. It is often helpful to keep what’s school-related strictly so, as to help the child and parent focus.

What Else Should I Keep in Mind as I Prepare to Homeschool My Child?

Having the materials is essential, of course, but preparedness doesn’t end once all the shopping is done. There is a lot that you will have to be aware of and keep in mind as you proceed.

The Legal Stuff

One of the most important things that you can do to ensure that your child is homeschooled properly is to understand the laws in your state pertaining to homeschooling. In some states, homeschooling parents must register as private schools. In others, students are still mandated to take standardized tests at certain grade levels. You do not want to find yourself in violation of state law as you educate your child.

If your child has previously been enrolled in your area’s school district, you may also want to put in a call to the school board to determine whether or not you need to officially remove your child from the district’s roster. If this is a requirement and you fail to meet it, you could end up facing truancy or educational neglect accusations.

Community

The homeschooling community is a valuable asset for homeschooling parents and their children, for a couple of reasons.

First, there is the issue of isolation that many homeschool families worry about. It can be difficult to get your child and yourself any adequate level of socialization unless you make an effort to make that happen. Homeschooling groups put parents and their children together to form lasting friendships and facilitate ongoing support – even when homeschooling gets tough.

Second, more experienced homeschooling parents will be able to help their peers to navigate the difficult terrain of homeschooling for the first time. They can point you to resources that you might not have otherwise thought of or knew existed.

Perseverance

Homeschooling is bound to take an emotional toll on parents and children alike. It’s a big adjustment to make, one that requires determination, patience and flexibility. Homeschooling is a child-led process, after all, and some trial and error might be necessary to get into the swing of things. It’s important not to get too visibly frustrated if things don’t work out as you had planned initially.

Understand your child’s strengths, weaknesses and interests – and then nurture them. Pay attention to their cues. When something seems to frustrate them beyond the norm, consider changing your approach to the material. When their eyes light up with delight at a particular subject or activity, implement more related items into your curriculum.

As a homeschooling parent, you have the ability to shape a curriculum around what your child loves and provide them the individualized attention that they need to succeed. Understand that you might have to change up the plan at times, and don’t regard that as a personal failure. In time, you will find what works the best when homeschooling your child.