by Jessica Cuthbertson, NBCT
If you’re reading this post, it’s likely you’re seriously considering homeschooling or have recently filed a notice of intent (NOI) and are preparing to radically pivot your child(ren)’s education.
While the reasons for homeschooling are many, it’s also quite likely that you may be an “accidental” or “reluctant” homeschooler. Someone who never imagined your family would be on this particular journey.
It’s possible this wasn’t your Plan A (or even your Plan B or C). Circumstances from a lack of consistent services and support, advocacy fatigue, health/medical issues, a unique learner profile that doesn’t fit the traditional “K-12 public education” mold, lingering interrupted learning issues caused by the pandemic, and a host of other reasons may have led you to this moment.
Whatever your reasons, take a breath. Grab a hot (or cold) beverage and repeat after me:
“I am my child(ren)’s best advocate, teacher, and support system. I may not know how to teach _____ (insert the subject or content area that you find the most intimidating), but I know my child. I know their needs. I know what sparks their interests and what shuts them down. I can do this!”
The first step of successful homeschooling is acknowledging and owning that you are an expert when it comes to knowing your child and their unique and specific needs. This knowledge can take classroom teachers in traditional settings several days, weeks, or even months to acquire depending on the complexity of the learner.
Using this knowledge you can begin to customize an ideal schedule, learning progression, and overall tone for what your family’s homeschool will look and sound like. This might involve using traditional structures like paper/pencil or computer-based learning, “hands-on” or project-based learning, or taking learning outdoors or into different community settings.
Subsequent posts for Hopkins subscribers will provide additional support and offer special considerations for your homeschool including:
"Reimagining" Learning: Homeschooling As More Than “School at Home:” In this post we move beyond the idea that homeschooling needs to look like "school at home" or a traditional K-12 classroom, and encourage you to leverage your child’s unique strengths and gifts to truly embrace the flexibility and vast opportunities that homeschooling offers families of unique learners.
We’re Officially Homeschoolers – Now What? Identifying Your Homeschool Style: In this post we explore the different types of homeschooling, including movements like “unschooling” as well as more traditional curriculum and advocate for a period of “deschooling” when finding the right fit for your child.
But, Is My Child Learning? Assessing and Monitoring Progress: In this post we address the question: Is my child actually learning and how do I know? We explore the state’s assessment and reporting requirements, as well as flexible and formative ways to measure your child’s progress, particularly for children who struggle with traditional test-taking.
The World Is Your Classroom: Creating A Sustainable Homeschool That Works For YOUR Family: This final post provides ideas for flexible structures, schedules, supports, and next steps to take your homeschool from idea to reality and outlines options for ongoing support from Hopkins coaches and consultants.
In the words of unschooling home educator Sandra Dodd, “Kids who are in school just visit life sometimes, and then they have to stop to do homework or go to sleep early or get to school on time. They are constantly reminded they are ‘preparing for real life,’ while being isolated from it.” So, welcome to the wonderful world of homeschooling – where education meets everyday life.
If you'd like to subscribe to our homeschool blog or learn more about Hopkins homeschooling services, please email Liz at esh@hopkinseducationservices.com.
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