New to Homeschooling? Here’s How to Get Started
Deciding to homeschool your child is more than just an educational choice—it’s a deeply personal, often emotional decision that stems from love, concern, and the desire to give your child the best possible start. Maybe you’re feeling overwhelmed by traditional school systems as you consider getting started homeschooling, or perhaps you’re simply drawn to the freedom and connection that homeschooling offers. Whatever led you here, know that you’re not alone—and you’re more than capable. With some guidance and a little courage, you can build a learning environment and culture that feels safe, joyful, and tailored to your family’s unique needs.
Starting your homeschooling journey can feel overwhelming, but with the right steps, it becomes an exciting and empowering experience for the whole family. Whether you’re making the switch from public school or beginning with your preschooler at home, this guide will walk you through everything you need to get started homeschooling on the right foot.
1. Understand Your State’s Homeschool Laws
Before you get started homeschooling, it’s essential to research the legal requirements for homeschooling in your state. Homeschool laws vary widely across the United States—some states have very few regulations, while others require detailed documentation, standardized testing, or teacher qualifications.
Start by visiting your state’s Department of Education website or a trusted homeschool advocacy organization like HSLDA (Home School Legal Defense Association). Look for information on:
- Notification requirements (e.g., letter of intent to homeschool)
- Attendance or hour requirements
- Required subjects or assessments
- Record-keeping and portfolio rules
Taking time to understand your legal responsibilities from when you get started ensures your homeschool remains compliant and stress-free, not to mention, you can settle any fears you may have about keeping things legal right from the start!
2. Choose a Homeschooling Method That Fits Your Family
Homeschooling is not one-size-fits-all. Choosing a homeschool philosophy or method that aligns with your child’s learning style and your family’s values makes the process smoother and more enjoyable. Here are a few common approaches:
- Classical: Focuses on the trivium (grammar, logic, rhetoric) and emphasizes literature, history, and critical thinking.
- Charlotte Mason: Emphasizes living books, nature study, and short, focused lessons. This method involves a lot of reading and time outside while still encouraging some structured learning.
- Montessori: Child-led, hands-on learning with a focus on independence. This method is where the more
- Unschooling: A child-directed approach that encourages learning through life experiences.
- Unit Studies: Integrates multiple subjects into a single theme or topic. I believe Unit Studies can also be supplemental to other methods if you don’t want to choose it exclusively.
- Traditional/School-at-Home: Mimics a conventional classroom with structured curriculum and schedule. Think Abeka and Bob Jones video classrooms and other well-known curriculum.
Take some time to research each of these styles before you get started and try one that feels like a natural fit. It’s okay to adjust or blend methods as you discover what works best for your child.
I have a blog post here that takes a deeper look at the homeschool methods and styles
3. Select Curriculum and Materials
Once you’ve chosen your homeschooling method, it’s time to select the curriculum and materials. This step can be exciting—and a little intimidating—due to the sheer number of options. To simplify, ask yourself the following:
- Do I want a faith-based or secular curriculum?
- What subjects do I need or want to cover?
- How much structure do I prefer?
- Do I want all-in-one or mix-and-match programs?
Some popular all-in-one curricula include The Good and the Beautiful, Sonlight, Abeka, Bob Jones, ACE, and Master Books. For more eclectic homeschoolers, you might get started with combining workbooks, online classes, and living books to suit each subject and child.
Take advantage of free samples, YouTube videos, curriculum reviews, and even used curriculum sales to explore your options without breaking the bank.
Here’s a post I wrote specifically about this topic:
4. Create a Dedicated Space As You Get Started Homeschooling
You don’t need an elaborate classroom to homeschool effectively, but creating a consistent space for learning helps children focus and builds a routine. Your homeschool space should be:
- Comfortable and well-lit
- Stocked with basic supplies (pencils, paper, art materials)
- Organized with shelves, bins, or carts for storing books and materials
Whether it’s a corner of the living room, a dining table, or a dedicated room, make it a place where your child feels calm, curious, and ready to learn. Don’t forget to include a cozy reading nook or space for hands-on exploration, if possible!
Here’s a post I wrote about designing your perfect homeschool space:
5. Connect with Other Homeschoolers
One of the best parts of homeschooling is the strong sense of community. It may seem daunting as you get started homeschooling, but finding support and connection with other homeschooling families makes the journey more sustainable long term and enjoyable from day to day.
Look for local or online:
- Homeschool co-ops or learning pods
- Church groups
- Facebook groups or forums for your area
- Library programs or museum homeschool days
- Nature groups or park meetups
- Curriculum swaps or book clubs
Not only do these groups provide valuable support and social opportunities for your child, but they also offer encouragement and wisdom from experienced homeschoolers which can be invaluable as you get started on your homeschooling journey. It can also be so fun to put together homeschool group field trips so that your kids can enjoy adventures with other kids their own ages.
6. Set a Realistic Homeschool Schedule
One of the great advantages of homeschooling is flexibility, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have a plan. Creating a routine that works for your family helps everyone stay on track while avoiding burnout.
You might choose:
- A traditional 5-day week, with set start and end times
- A 4-day week, leaving one day for enrichment or field trips
- Year-round homeschooling, with shorter breaks more often
- Block scheduling, where you focus on fewer subjects each day
Your schedule doesn’t have to mirror public school hours. Young children, for example, may only need 3-5 hours of structured learning per day. Focus on consistency, not perfection, and be willing to adjust as needed.
Here’s a post I wrote about homeschooling habits that might be helpful as you dive into this topic:
7. Document Your Educational Goals and Progress
Setting goals as you get started gives your homeschool direction and helps you stay focused on what really matters. These goals can be academic, personal, or skill or even character-based.
Start with questions like:
- What do I want my child to learn this year?
- What skills should they build in reading, math, or writing?
- What habits or character traits would I like to nurture?
- What is our reading goal for the year?
Write your goals down and revisit them monthly or quarterly. This helps you track progress and make informed decisions about pacing, curriculum changes, or extra support.
You can document learning in various ways:
- Keep a portfolio with samples of work and photos
- Use a digital planner or spreadsheet to log completed lessons
- Record milestones, like reading fluency or math fact mastery
As a note here, I would REALLY recommend having some kind of report card for your kids for each semester or even just every year. Even if it’s just a document you designed and organized yourself, there is something “official” about having an actual document that shows that work was completed and progress was made.
Additionally, some states require documentation, so having these records also helps you stay compliant.
Pin it to read or reference later!
Final Thoughts
Homeschooling is a deeply rewarding journey filled with flexibility, creativity, and connection. While the initial steps may seem daunting, taking time to understand your legal obligations, find your educational style, and build a routine that fits your family will set you up for long-term success.
Every homeschool looks different—and that’s part of the beauty. Trust your instincts, stay curious, and don’t be afraid to pivot if something isn’t working. You’ve got this!
Do you have any specific questions that you’d like support for as you get started homeschooling?
Or maybe you have a tip you’d like to share?
I’d love to hear from you in the comments below!
