So, you've made the decision to homeschool your children… now what? How do you develop a homeschooling curriculum that will work well for your family? First, it is important to remember that there is no one "correct" way to homeschool. Every child is unique, and every family puts their own unique spin on homeschooling.
The beauty of homeschooling is that you can tailor your curriculum to suit your child and the needs of your family. There are innumerable texts, workbooks and homeschool curriculums available at education stores, larger bookstores and online to suit all the different ways of homeschooling.
Two Approaches to Homeschooling
Some families choose to purchase a set homeschool curriculum or enroll their children in a "virtual" school. This model of homeschooling looks a lot like traditional school, except at home. Students typically spend the bulk of their time on bookwork, as they would in a classroom. The benefits of these methods are that parents don't need to worry about seeking out resources, nor do they need to worry if educational standards are being met. The downsides are that it doesn't allow for flexibility based on the child's needs, and it can be quite expensive.
Other families prefer to forgo the textbooks and worksheets that we typically associate with school in favor of allowing their children to learn through daily life experiences. This method of homeschooling, called Unschooling, is gaining in popularity. The idea behind Unschooling is that children can learn what they need to know simply by doing everyday tasks. For example, following a recipe and baking bread together involves reading, following directions, math and science. A trip to the store provides lessons in economics and math, as well as communication skills.
Most homeschooling families fall somewhere in the middle of these two extremes, choosing to develop their homeschool curriculum utilizing a combination of both bookwork and life experience learning. A typical day might have a child working on a math workbook and writing practice in the morning, with the rest of the day being filled with a trip to a museum, outside exploration or other activities.
In developing a homeschool curriculum, many parents are concerned about knowing exactly what to teach their children. There are many resources available that give you a general idea of what your child "should" know. There is a popular series of books called the Core Knowledge series by E.D. Hirsh, as well as several resources online that will help you to be sure your homeschool curriculum is meeting basic standards.
One of the most wonderful things about homeschooling is that if you try something and it doesn't seem to be working well for your family, you have the flexibility to try something else. The most important thing to remember when developing a homeschool curriculum for your family is that just as your children are always growing and evolving, so will your curriculum.
 | Homeschooling is a rewarding way of educating your child, but it is not necessarily the right choice for everyone. |
 | There are pros and cons to homeschooling; while homeschoolers do tend to do exceptionally well, there are also some challenges to educating your child at home. |
 | When you start homeschooling a shy child, you will be presented with unique challenges. It can be difficult if your child is naturally shy and reserved. |
Successful homeschooling requires an honest assesment by parents, who must decide if they're fit for the job. Are you? |
The bad news is that there are indeed some potentially negative effects of homeschooling. The good news is that if parents are aware of them, they can all be overcome successfully. |
