Homeschool-To provide educational instruction in the home, outside the institutional setting.

It’s so simple, yet so complicated at times. Education begins at birth and seems to come naturally as a mother encourages her baby to suck the bottle, respond to cooing, reach for a toy, and eventually sleep through the night. Babies DEMAND our time. As a child gets older, they slowly become more independent and demand our time less and less. One day you wake up and realize that your child can dress himself, fix himself a meal, and make phone calls without your help.

It is important that we focus our time on our increasingly independent children just as much as we did when they were babies. Our focus changes from diapering and feeding to educating and inspiring. It’s really not as difficult as it sounds, and with some prayer, will come just as naturally as soothing a crying baby. There are some key points to learning how to homeschool and knowing where to start. 

1. Be Mindful of Teaching.

This may sound too simple. Often moments of inspiration and learning pass by quietly from our lives. With a little thought, these natural moments can become an event that creates curiosity and engagement in learning. It doesn’t require a lesson plan or a worksheet. It’s opening our mouth and SHARING. Here are some thing to talk about as these moments present themselves:

• Share what you’re doing and why. “I like to slice my potatoes into thin slices so that they cook faster for mashed potatoes.” Often we take for granted that kids know these seemingly simple things. It’s always good to explain.
• Share with them your family heritage. “My grandma used to make the best pecan pies. She was always happy in the kitchen.” Tell them little things. Teach them who their relatives were and give them a glimpse into your childhood.

*Think about your day from beginning to end. Write down at least one moment when your child showed each of the following emotions: curiosity, excitement, positivity, sadness, being bored. How could you have turned these emotions into an educational moment?

2. Make your house a home

God created the foundation of the family way back in the Garden of Eden. Throughout the Bible, we see prime examples of characters who show us how to be a Godly mother and wife. Homeschooling brings the family back together to spend the majority of their day at home. For this to be a success, the home must be a non-threatening, comfortable, yet controlled place where everyone can feel refuge.

There are many aspects to creating a home. As mothers, we often associate that a clean home is a happy home. The only way to have a truly happy home is to make Christ the center of it with mom and dad in their appropriate roles. Yes, having a clean, cozy home is also a great thing. But it’s not enough. My husband is excited to come home every day. Our grown son and daughter-in-law come every chance they get. Home is a beautiful place that nurtures and guides.

3. Have Confidence

The birth of your first baby can be an exciting, yet terrifying time. Many new parents are almost scared to touch the baby for fear of breaking him or doing something wrong. The reality is babies are tough, and just want to be near their mom and dad to bond and grow.

Homeschooling can be terrifying also. You have to dig in, just like you did with that first dirty diaper, and remember that your child is tough and resilient, and deep inside, still longs for your attention and love, no matter their age. You’ll find that the more time you spend together, the more that bond strengthens.

And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. II Corinthians 12:9

4. Find your Style

It may not happen right away, but you will eventually find a homeschool style that works for you. It takes a little patience, and a lot of prayer, but as you get to know your child better, it will become more evident which style is right for your child. Pay attention to your child when they are learning. Especially if it’s a subject they really love. My daughter loves history. She will take rabbit trails off her main curriculum because she wants to know all she can about history. I have noticed when she is on her own, she will use a variety of mediums to find the info she wants. I use these same things to teach her other subjects.

*Consider your child’s learning style, whether visual, auditory, or kinesthetic or combination. Also, take into consideration any learning disabilities, attention problems, and special interests the child may have. This may help to determine which style is right for you.

5. Develop a Plan

Decide how you will incorporate learning into your day. Develop a schedule that works for you. Search for books, curriculum, units, and other resources to make learning fun. There are many resources available for a range of budgets. Set some goals for each subject area, and develop a plan for how you will achieve those goals. Of course, it is important to know the homeschool laws in the state where you live. Many require testing, documentation, or a requirement of days or hours for homeschoolers.  

*There’s nothing wrong with buying a “box” curriculum and just following their plan, especially if this is your first year. With your child’s help, write down things throughout the year that you may want to change or do differently the next year. 

There are some great resources and books out there for moms and dads who are considering homeschool as an option, or are trying to learn how to homeschool. It’s good to be open minded to the ideas of others, but always pray and ask the Lord for guidance.