Transitioning from Traditional School to Homeschooling: Tips for a Smooth Adjustment Period
Are you thinking of pulling your kids out of school in order to homeschool? Follow these tips to make the transition from traditional school to homeschooling seamless.
Moving From Traditional School to Homeschool
The traditional school has an entire staff to make the school day happen: teachers, janitors, guidance counselors, bus drivers, learning specialists, etc.
Homeschooling requires that you take on most (but not all) of these roles. That’s a huge adjustment!
You have what it takes to make that happen, but you need to have a plan in place before you pull your kids out of school.
You’ll also need to set expectations for your children so they experience a relatively bumpy-free transition.
Check out this punch list for making the transition from traditional school to homeschooling as smooth as possible.
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10 Tips for the Transition Period from Traditional School to Homeschooling
The transition from traditional school to homeschooling is a significant change for you and your kids. Set the stage for success by following these tips!
Know the Laws in Your State
Most states have homeschooling requirements, but these vary widely from state to state.
It is essential to research what your state requires before you pull your kids out of school.
The Homeschooling Legal Defense Association keeps a record of the homeschooling laws in every state. Do the research on your state.
What else do you need to know before you start homeschooling? Check out this article.
Pick Your Educational Approach
Before you even begin to pick curricula, think about how you want to educate your child.
Research different educational methods, and pick the one that resonates with you and your child.
You can also combine them, taking your favorite aspects of each. (That’s called the Eclectic Approach!)
Here are some common educational approaches:
- Montessori Method
- Charlotte Mason
- Classical Education
- Gameschooling
- Waldorf Method
- Unschooling
- Unit Studies
- Traditional (School at Home)
- Project-Based Approach
- Online School
- Eclectic Homeschool
Choose Your Curricula
Choosing your curricula (books, supplies, etc.) can be intimidating because of the many options.
If you have picked your homeschooling approach first, this will narrow down your search.
Talk to friends, attend a homeschool conference if possible (so you can flip through books in person), and check out these articles:
- What to Look for in a Homeschool Curriculum
- Curriculum Advice for New Homeschoolers
- The Ultimate Curriculum Directory
- Design an Epic Homeschool Curriculum
- Free Homeschool Curriculum Ideas
And those are just the tip of the iceberg! We have subject-specific curriculum reviews and recommendations as well.
Set Realistic Goals and Expectations
You must have your reasons for homeschooling. What are they? It’s important to know why you are choosing to homeschool.
What do you want for your child in the next 3 months? 6 months? One year?
Write down these goals and make a plan to achieve them.
Just be sure to make the goals realistic, or you will frustrate your child and yourself. Follow the
Read more about setting goals for the year.
Figure Out Your Routine
Do you plan to homeschool during the school year or year-round? Make your homeschool calendar. You can adjust it, as needed, during the year.
Design a weekly homeschool routine that also accounts for schoolwork, outings, errands, and extra-curricular activities.
You don’t have to schedule every hour of the day, but you should have a framework in place.
Design a homeschool schedule that works for your family.
Do you need some ideas? Check out these articles:
- Sample Homeschool Schedules
- Creating a Homeschool Preschool Schedule
- How to Create a Homeschool Morning Routine That Works
Be Flexible
Although it is important to have a calendar and a daily/weekly routine, you also need to keep this at the forefront: be flexible.
One of the advantages of homeschooling is its flexibility.
Be open to adjusting your schedule, calendar, curriculum, and educational approach to better fit with your family’s needs.
Use Organizational Tools
Step one for staying organized: Get a homeschool planner.
A planner will help you stay on track with your lesson planning and goals.
Depending on the laws in your state, you will want to keep track of your child’s academic progress through a homeschool portfolio.
If needed, you can also record grades and attendance in a physical or online grade book.
Take Advantage of Homeschooling Resources
Homeschooling doesn’t just happen at home. You can take advantage of the many resources available to homeschoolers.
From learning apps to online classes to virtual field trips, technology enables your child to access the wider world from home.
Visit your library, local museums, and parks for nearby field trips.
Local classes, youth groups, and sports teams provide socialization opportunities with peers.
Join a Homeschooling Support Group or Co-op
Every state has its own homeschooling organization. They typically offer annual conferences, workshops, and monthly newsletters. Join yours!
You may also have local homeschooling groups that can be a source of friendship and support for you and your children.
Some of these support groups are just for social activities; others offer co-ops where your child can take classes.
Successful homeschoolers know that you need a community around you. Find yours. It will take some time, but it’s worth it.
Have a Dedicated Learning Space
Maybe you are one of the lucky ones, and you have a dedicated room for homeschooling. That’s great!
But if you don’t have that, don’t worry. There are many homeschool setup ideas that work in small or shared spaces.
The key is to have a dedicated learning space and a place to keep your homeschooling books and supplies.
Transitioning from Traditional School to Homeschooling
Transitions can be rocky; that’s just the truth. But you can minimize the bumps when you follow these ten tips and tricks.
The most important thing is to stay positive.
Will there be hard days when your child is cranky, you are overwhelmed, and your routine is blown to pieces? Yes.
Take heart. There will be good days, too. Remember why you are doing this.
You are your child’s first and best teacher. You love them. You are capable.
You can do this.
