{"id":32353,"date":"2024-10-16T11:02:57","date_gmt":"2024-10-16T19:02:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/?p=32353"},"modified":"2025-09-08T05:49:27","modified_gmt":"2025-09-08T13:49:27","slug":"how-to-start-homeschooling","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.abcmouse.com\/learn\/homeschool\/how-to-start-homeschooling\/32353","title":{"rendered":"10 Easy Steps to Start Homeschooling"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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10 Easy Steps to Start Homeschooling <\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n

These 10 steps and insights from veteran homeschoolers can help you on your homeschooling journey.<\/h4>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Table of Contents<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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Step 1: Start the research<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 2: Figure out your approach<\/a><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 3: Learn the homeschool laws in your state<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 4: Discover resources<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 5: Find friends <\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Our Curriculum Can Help<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Step 6: Devise a plan   <\/a><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 7: Jump in with both feet<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 8: Check-in and assess  <\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 9: Adjust as needed   <\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 10: Keep going<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Expert Tips from Seasoned Home Educators<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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When you first start down the homeschooling path, wading through all the different information can feel overwhelming. Following these 10 steps can help guide you along as you consider your homeschooling options. You’ll also find tips and insights from experienced home educators to provide you with first-hand knowledge about homeschooling.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Step 1: Start the research<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Chances are you’re well underway with this part. As you research homeschooling, this might include everything from reading dozens of articles or visiting multiple homeschooling sites. It might also involve talking to other home educators or joining homeschool Facebook groups. During this step, try to soak up as much information you can.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Step 2: Figure out your approach<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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There are many ways to homeschool, and it might take time to figure out the right approach for your family. Whether you want to utilize charter schools or create a more traditional setup, only you can figure out what is right for you and your family. It’s important to read about different homeschooling methods<\/a> and talk to those who are actively doing them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Step 3: Learn the homeschool laws in your state<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Home educators will need to comply with their state’s homeschooling laws. These laws can vary by location, especially when it comes to registration and reporting. Check your state’s homeschooling laws<\/a> for specific details.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Step 4: Discover resources<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Home educators need to find the right resources and curriculum to support themselves and their family, sometimes piecing together materials from various sources to meet their needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our state law pages<\/a> also feature information on activities and homeschooling groups in each state, and our educational programs can complement your homeschooling efforts. ABCmouse<\/a> offers engaging educational tools that support children ages 2-8, while Adventure Academy<\/a> is geared towards older children (ages 8-13). You can learn more about each program below. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Support Your Homeschool with ABCmouse and Adventure Academy<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Our digital learning programs are designed by curriculum experts to assist your homeschool and children ages 2 through 13. ABCmouse is a comprehensive online educational platform for children ages 2-8, while Adventure Academy focuses on children ages 8-13. Both programs provide access to lessons on reading, language arts, math, sciences, social studies, and more. Learn more about how each program can enhance your homeschool below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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ABCmouse and Homeschooling<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

ABCmouse offers over 10,000 learning activities and more than 850 lessons for children, plus a large digital library of books and educational puzzles, songs, activities, and worksheets. The program encourages self-paced learning with motivating rewards and includes progress tracking, which allows home educators to monitor time spent on certain subjects and the number of activities completed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Try ABCmouse FREE<\/strong>
for 30 Days!<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Then just $14.99\/mo. until canceled<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

As a paid add-on to regular subscriptions, home educators can access the Assessment Center, which allows parents and caregivers to test children on their knowledge, determine successes and struggles, and receive recommended lessons based on assessments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ABCmouse provides a robust curriculum that can supplement other early learning lessons. It’s trusted resource that\u2019s been downloaded over 10 million times and has a 4.5-star average out of 831.4K ratings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Find more information here.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Adventure Academy and Homeschooling<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Adventure Academy combines an interactive world with a curriculum covering reading, language arts, math, science, and social studies. With quests, games, and educational videos and activities, learning becomes an epic journey that motivates kids to explore various topics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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For homeschooling families, Adventure Academy offers an engaging, flexible learning experience that can supplement other educational materials. The program features thousands of activities created by curriculum experts and covers all major academic domains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Parents and caregivers can choose academic difficulty levels and track each child\u2019s progress, seeing time spent in Adventure Academy, activities completed, and subjects studied.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Adventure Academy emphasizes key topics such as reading comprehension, vocabulary development, mathematical operations, fractions, world geography, American history, physical science, life science, earth science, and scientific inquiry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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For more information, visit AdventureAcademy.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Step 5: Find friends <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Whether you find fellow home educators locally or online, they can have a positive impact on you, your family, and your homeschooling approach. If you’re starting from scratch on where to find these like-minded individuals, we recommend using social media or neighborhood groups\/apps to begin your search.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Step 6: Devise a plan   <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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One of the most appealing parts of home education is the flexibility to change your plan as needed. Keep this in mind as you create your first formal plan for educating your children, as it can alleviate some of the pressure as you get started. This step will include figuring out the logistics of where your kids will physically be learning, choosing your curriculum, and deciding on lesson plans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Step 7: Jump in with both feet<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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At some point, you will have read and prepared as much as possible and it will be time to jump in and learn by doing. This can be intimidating for anyone. Give yourself grace along the way, and remember that this is only the beginning. You can change and adjust along the way.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Step 8: Check-in and assess  <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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This is one of the most rewarding parts of homeschooling, as you and your children follow your own path and schedule. You get to check in with them and assess how it’s going, all based on your own rules and expectations. Then, if they need extra support in one area or another, you can tailor a plan to meet their needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Step 9: Adjust as needed   <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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You might have rules to follow and standards to hit, but you get to make as many adjustments as you want to meet your child’s needs. This might include everything from changing the time of day you tackle math to trying a new approach or learning method.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Go back to your homeschool parents and friends and ask their advice if something isn’t working. They might help you discover a new resource or approach altogether.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Step 10: Keep going<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Whether you’re a week-by-week planner or have the entire school year mapped out, stay the course and make adjustments as needed. As you gain more experience and confidence, you’ll enjoy trying new things, planning field trips, and connecting with others. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Expert Tips from Seasoned Home Educators<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Starting your homeschool can feel exciting and overwhelming. Our panel of homeschool veterans have years of homeschooling under their belts and are here to share their best secrets for when you\u2019re just getting started.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Keep it Simple<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Figuring out how to start homeschooling can feel overwhelming, but having the right tools and resources in place can be the most fulfilling experience you\u2019ll ever have. My greatest piece of advice is to keep it simple. There are many options for curriculum, supplies, planners, and everything. To start, choose the basics that truly resonate with your goals for homeschooling. Keep your materials, schedule, and activities simple so you don\u2019t overwhelm yourself or your children.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

My other tip is to be flexible. There are so many benefits to homeschooling, but sometimes we get caught up in all the things we could and should be doing. It\u2019s OK to cut your homeschooling hours short one day. It\u2019s OK to not stick to the plans for one week. It\u2019s OK if your child isn\u2019t grasping the concept right away. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Give yourself grace and instill flexibility into your homeschooling experience<\/strong>. Things happen and plans change, but our children still need us to be the best version of ourselves so they can learn from us. Take your time, be flexible, and enjoy every moment\u2026even the ones you weren\u2019t counting on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Embrace Change and Pivot<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

My best advice, which I have to keep giving to myself even after all these years, is to embrace change! Especially in the beginning, we tend to invest so much time and effort in each decision. Which math curriculum should I buy? Which homeschooling style<\/a> are we? What does the \u201cperfect\u201d homeschool schedule look like? <\/em>Then, we become disenchanted when something isn\u2019t working the way we thought it would. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Adaptability is key. Cultivate the skill of knowing when a change needs to be made. <\/strong>Maybe it\u2019s a little change, like starting school an hour later. Sometimes, it\u2019s a bigger change, like cutting your losses with a curriculum and starting over. Trying to force something that isn\u2019t working only risks burnout and frustration for everyone involved. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s easy to feel like we should just persevere and make something work. However, the reality is children change, we change, schedules change<\/a>, and life changes. Don\u2019t be afraid to let go of something to try something new. It might be fabulous! It might not work, and then you can try something else.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Curriculum Can Make Planning Easier<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The best advice I got when I started was to buy a complete <\/em>curriculum. I wasn\u2019t a school teacher with that lesson-planning background. After a year, I knew what worked and what didn\u2019t and was able to change our curriculum to fit my and my children\u2019s needs. But early on, I really appreciated having a plan. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once you\u2019ve narrowed it down to a few resources, go to the different websites and download samples or sign up for free trials<\/a> before you buy to make sure it\u2019s a good fit for your family<\/strong>. Then once you pick one, prepare the first week\u2019s lessons and set a start date. This doesn’t have to be the same day or week as your local school district. Start when YOU are ready.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Break It Down<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

How to educate your children is a personal decision, taken with great care. In the last few years, the options for education have increased exponentially, and the sheer volume of information is overwhelming. As a homeschool parent myself, I know figuring out how to begin is daunting. Chunking down the process into manageable steps helps minimize stress and streamline the process. Here are my tips for the three things to focus on most. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. You\u2019ll first want to learn and follow the steps required by your state<\/a> to homeschool<\/strong> your child. Spend some time researching the requirements for setting up your homeschool. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. The next step is choosing the curriculum and resources you want to use<\/strong>. Take into consideration your child\u2019s interests when making a selection. Ask yourself questions like: Do they do best with workbooks or hands-on? Are they creative and inquisitive? Physical and athletic? Studious and academic?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Last step\u2014consider the space you\u2019ll need to have your lessons<\/strong>. This should directly correlate to the type of learner your student is. Some kids do best in a quiet workspace with a desk and ambient lighting. Others do best in an outdoor setting or a more casual environment. Don\u2019t worry about what everyone else is doing. Take time to create a space that supports your learner. <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n
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    More from ABCmouse: <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n