Beginners Guide to Homeschool Elementary
I never thought I would be a homeschool mom. This year like many other parents during the pandemic, I found myself homeschooling unexpectedly and suddenly. I have been feeling unequipped to take on the task since day one.
There are so many subjects to cover. There are so many curriculums, programs, and materials to choose from. It is overwhelming.
Researching, listening to Podcast, watching YouTube videos, comparing curriculums and learning from other moms, I have the urge of paying forward. I would love to share with you the wonderful useful resources I found. As a new homeschool mom, my feelings, experiences, and lessons are fresh. Through my posts, I hope you would find comfort and it’s part of your story too because you are not alone.
What is Homeschool Elementary?
One of my clarities through unexpected homeschooling and uncertainty of Covid-19 is that I am 100% in charge of my kids’ education and schedules. I used to think I involved with their education 100% by choosing the best schools, the good programs and being there for their practices. I thought what I did was enough and being a great parent. Looking back, I thought I could do more like taking total responsibility for the education of my children rather than relying on private school for this responsibility.
Now I become the center of my children’s education. I become the primary educators for my kids. I can custom special programs to fit each child’s needs and interests. My kids’ education is designed just for them and their potential, and they can learn at their own paces.
I am not feeling that I am not qualified to teach anymore because I have learnt that I was the first teacher who taught them how to walk, talk, and eat. I am the first example my children look up to when learning how to function in society. So of course, I am qualified, and so are you.
How to Get Started with Homeschool Elementary
Homeschooling is not an easy task. It requires commitment, consistency, and involved parents. I think the most important part at the beginning is trusting the process. No matter how much research you have done, books you have read, or pitfalls you have learnt from other moms, you still have to believe that you will make mistakes and find out that the curriculums you just bought do not work for your family. But with faith and trust, you will learn as you go and discover what works for you and your children. Just enjoy the journey with your children while they still want to hug you and tell you that they love you every five minutes. Yes, a lot of hugs and kisses during our homeschool hours. Pure yourself a cup of tea and let’s begin the journey. Here are my top 5 favorite websites to start your research.
Common Questions/FAQ About Homeschool Elementary
What is the best homeschool curriculum for elementary school?
There are so many great curriculum choices available which is awesome, but also can be overwhelmed as well. One thing I have learnt from other homeschool moms is that there is no one perfect curriculum. For example, I have done hours of hours for the best reading and writing programs before buying them. I went with All About Reading for reading and IEW for writing. Both of them have wonderful reviews. I am falling in love with All about Reading; however, I still like to learn IEW and how to use it to match my kids’ levels. I feel this process will never end and never be perfect.
Can homeschooling be done online?
I think the answer to this question has changed since Covid-19. With thousands of daycares, schools, and tutoring programs closing across the U.S. Many parents became unexpectedly homeschoolers overnight. Children were forced to continue their education virtually even 3 years old. To me, education after a pandemic is changed. Kids are learning online now no matter what. There are a lot of online schools’ and online programs’ reviews. The answer is yes, but what are you looking for is more important than whether it can be done online or not? It is all depending on your child’s learning style.
How much does it cost to homeschool a child?
My experience was from private school to homeschool. My first response is homeschooling is way cheaper. However, if I am not careful and set a budget on what to spend, it would cost a lot of money as well. For example, I saw a private online program can cost up to $6,000. According to estimates from the Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA), “the average parent spending from $300 to $600 per child yearly on curricula, books, and other learning supplies.” Khan Academy is a wonderful free online program.
The cost of homeschooling completely depends on your choices. The necessities of homeschooling are access to basic school supplies, a public library, and internet. The rest is discretionary.
How do I make a daily schedule for homeschooling?
I am still new homeschooling since Oct 2020. It has been 4 months for us now. I still adjust my schedule monthly. At first, I felt frustrated because I constantly changed what to do at when and how. But after a couple of changes and twists, I have found the one that works for us. “The One” is not a schedule, but I am creating a consistent routine instead. Everyday is different. Schedule is used as a guideline with flexibilities. However, the routine is more important because routine works better for kids. Routine gives kids a sense of security and stability because they know what to expect from their environment. The same thing with homeschooling routine, kids learn the expectation of the day. And they are in charge of their day how to get things done.
Can you homeschool a child with special needs?
Before having kids, the term “ADHD” was a foreign language to me. My whole world has changed when I have my boy who is super active and has a lot of energy. He needs a lot of attention and reminders more than normal. He is either overly excited or not able to stop himself before he squeezed you to the point that hurt you. When it comes to schooling, he can’t focus or keep his hands to himself. Virtual schooling became impossible. However, homeschooling has been a blessing for us. His ADHD is still there. With one-on-one assistance from mom, consistency, and a practical routine, he is thriving. I think the benefit of homeschooling is that our special needs kids get extra attention, love and care which is more important to their mental health than education itself.
Can I pull my kids out of school to homeschool?
The answer is yes. Every state allows for it, but the requirements are different from state to state. Check with your state education website to find out more. From my experience, I had no problem withdrawing my kids from private school or public school. You can withdraw your kids at any time of the year. I didn’t wait to withdraw my 6 years old ADHD boy when I felt the virtual school didn’t work for him. He had a hard time focusing on online classes for 5 hours a day. I withdrew him on Friday sometime in Oct and started homeschooling right away the next Monday. There are steps and guidelines to follow pulling kids from school. However, as parents, we shouldn’t hesitate to follow our intuition. Only parents know the best for their children. I don’t think there is right or wrong. Just remember that choices are not permanent. And follow the guideline!
What age should you start homeschooling?
In short, it depends on your child. My daughter is 4 years old. She is seeing her brother doing work, and she wants to join as well. I have been teaching her reading, math and writing letters and numbers for the past couple of months. She is reading now and loves reading books that she recognizes. I think we can keep it short and interesting to learn. However, I follow her lead. If she wants to finish her workbook in one day, I let her do it and revisit it again later. Your child will tell you when she or he is ready to do more.
The Last Thing You Need to Know about Homeschooling Elementary
Last thing I want to share with you about homeschooling is you need to take care of yourself. I know it is not realistic to say this because who has time for that. Self-care isn’t easy; it takes time and commitment. Our job is to take care of these small people 27/4 to make sure that they do not fall down the stairs or stick their hands in the stoves. Now add in homeschooling, we really got challenges. We can’t face the challenges without preparing. For me self-care is getting simpler over the years. It can be a full night rest, a movie night, or running some errands without kids and listening to my favorite books. Past couple years, waking up early before everyone is my favorite time. I do my morning routine and then study or work.
Are you getting enough sleep lately? Were you drinking enough water yesterday? Have you given yourself a night off in the kitchen this week? If your answer is no to any of these questions, I encourage you to choose one and do it today. If you do, what else would you add to your self-care list?