If you are thinking of having your child transition to homeschooling, you want to do so as smoothly as possible. The good news is you’re not alone. According to government statistics, roughly 1.7 million children in the U.S. were being schooled at home in 2016. But that figure is likely much higher today due to the COVID-19 outbreak and parents’ desire to have more involvement in their child’s education.
Many parents, and their children, prefer the flexibility that comes with homeschooling. This is also an arrangement that can promote more family and community involvement. No matter your reason for making the switch, change is never easy.
7 Tips for Transitioning from Public School to Homeschool
Whether your switch is sudden or something you’ve planned for years, it will still be an adjustment for you and your child. Here are some tips to create a smooth transition from public school to homeschool.
1. Create Your Plan
First things first – make sure you thoroughly research different homeschooling options as well as the laws surrounding homeschooling in your state. This will ensure you follow the right process for making the transition and reporting your child’s progress from this point forward.
2. Legally Withdraw Your Child from Public School
Make sure you legally withdraw your child from public school. If their school just believes they are truant, it could lead to legal issues. While you can start homeschooling at any time, it’s usually ideal to make this switch at the start of a fresh school year.
3. Choose a Curriculum
You can create your own curriculum. But there’s really no need to reinvent the wheel. Based on your child’s learning style and interests, you’d do just as well using a tried and true homeschooling curriculum. Fortunately, there are a ton of options like Abeka, Alpha Omega, Time4Learning, and Oak Meadow.
4. Take it Slow
As you switch gears from a public school system to homeschooling, don’t expect to hit the ground running. Change is never easy, and it takes time to settle into a new routine. Allow your child some flexibility for a while.
5. Find a Support Network
Look into the community for a place your children can connect with other homeschoolers and kids their age. This is an excellent way to keep them engaged and nourish many of their interests like sports, music, and the outdoors.
6. Make Adjustments as You Go
Observe your child as your homeschooling journey progresses. You’ll get a better feel for how you teach, how they learn, and the ways those can best work together. There’s nothing wrong with making adjustments as you go. That’s one of the benefits of this type of education system.
7. Ask for Help
When you transition to homeschooling from public school, it’s ok to ask for help. Just because you will be educating your child at home, that doesn’t mean you have to do everything on your own.
Let Us Help With Your Transition to Homeschooling
If you’re considering making the switch to homeschooling, you probably have a lot on your plate. Fortunately, you don’t have to travel this journey alone. There is expert assistance available to get you access to valuable resources and answers to your questions.
The South Carolina Association of Independent Home Schools (SCAIHS) has been supporting homeschooling parents throughout the state since 1990. We offer online reporting and documentation, curriculum assistance, bookstore discounts, academic programs, and much more. Contact us to find out about SCAIHS membership and the ways we can help with your transition to homeschooling.