How to Homeschool Your First Grade Child

The decision to homeschool your child brings with it a heavy set of responsibilities and multiple roles: advocate, curriculum designer, teacher and so on. Homeschooling is a major commitment and an ongoing process. Here are some beginning guidelines for homeschooling your first grade child.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Go online and search for the homeschool laws of your state. Type the keywords "homeschool laws" and follow it with the name of your state. These laws might effect anything from application processes to curriculum requirements.

2. Homeschoolers have long looked for ways to minimize the isolation inherent in homeschooling. The Internet, of course, has provided an ideal medium for networking, sharing resources and collaborating virtually. Remember that there are many (and often philosophically opposing) reasons for homeschooling. You will have no trouble using the Internet to zero in on like-minded homeschoolers. See Resources below.

3. Purchase or borrow homeschool curriculum kits with appropriate material for the first grade level education. Read these curricula carefully as you plan your own. In many instances, there will be no reason to reinvent the wheel.

4. Look for local home school support groups. Check if there are other homeschoolers in your area. Exchange ideas and materials.

5. Arrange special education services available in your city if you think your child needs it. Homeschoolers are legally allowed to receive special education services from the public schools when the child qualifies for them.

6. One of the hardest parts is reinventing your home environment so that the child knows that home school is serious business. Set a daily time schedule and stick with it.

7. To provide and enriched educational experience, use a variety of resources and learning materials: books, Internet, videos, photographs and other practical learning materials that will enhance the progress of your child.

8. Interact with experts in homeschooling. Keep their contact numbers ready in case you need guidance.

9. Enjoy your home schooling sessions. Put your own creative ideas into practice.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep track of changes in school curricula. Meet members of a Parent-Teacher Association, if possible.
• Emphasize teaching math and language skills.
• Include interesting classes such as physical education, music or dance in your curriculum.
• Do not create more stress for your child with excessive work. Give necessary breaks so that he enjoys learning.