Parents choose to homeschool for many reasons—school environment considerations, personal convictions, unmet academic needs, a desire for family time, bullying, and many others. Whatever your reason for choosing this path, you may be overwhelmed with questions.
What type of books should you use? What resources are available to help? The good news is that homeschooling is legal in all 50 states, and learning at home can be done successfully with the right tools. Here are some of the resources you need to homeschool your child.
Homeschool Curriculum
When you homeschool in most states, South Carolina included, you will need to create a curriculum. But you don’t have to make one of these from scratch if you don’t want to.
When you get started with homeschooling, a counselor can help you choose the curriculum that best suits your child’s as well as your needs and goals. You can choose from a wide range of options like classical, traditional, co-ops, Charlotte Mason, online, and much more.
Homeschooling Space
If your child is going to be successful in homeschooling, they need a dedicated space for it. Make sure you give some thought to having the following resources on hand:
- Have a designated tablet or computer on hand for your child.
- Make sure you have a strong WiFi connection.
- If your child gets fidgety, invest in a few fidget toys to keep their hands occupied.
- Stock up on healthy snacks and drinks.
- Set aside time for screen breaks.
Homeschooling Supplies
Fortunately, setting up your child’s home learning environment can be pretty simple. They will need many of the same school supplies you would purchase if they were attending a traditional school. Those supplies will vary spending on their age and grade. Some examples include:
- Notebooks, folders, and paper
- Pencils, erasers, pencil sharpeners, and pens
- Markers and crayons
- Scissors and glue
- Storage containers for school materials
- A planning calendar
- A dry erase board for planning and teaching
- Other educational materials like books and flashcards
Homeschooling Schedule
Even if you have a world-class curriculum, space, and set of supplies, you need to establish a daily schedule for your teaching and activities. Children thrive on routine, so a schedule will help them stay focused on what they are learning and need to get accomplished.
Of course, one of the benefits of homeschooling is its flexibility. If something fun, like a vacation, or urgent, like a medical issue, comes up, you can make adjustments. The idea is that you can fit homeschooling into your busy lives and not the other way around.
Homeschooling Reports
As a homeschooling parent, you’ll be required to keep some records. For example, in South Carolina, you need to keep records that demonstrate things like attendance, subjects taught, lesson plans, work samples, and semi-annual progress reports. This might sound overwhelming, but having a trusted partner can help make this part of the process almost seamless.
Let Us Help You Homeschool Successfully
The South Carolina Association of Independent Home Schools (SCAIHS) can help make your homeschooling journey a success. Our mission is to provide encouragement, educational counseling, and resources to homeschooling parents as they guide their children through their educational journey.
Our organization offers flexible curriculums, online reporting, experienced staff, and even guidance for parents educating children with special needs. Contact us to learn more about how membership in our organization helps create an environment where your child can thrive.