| As a mother of a two year old, the thought of | | | | Groups." These are groups of parents that |
| "school" crosses my mind more than | | | | share their information and experiences with |
| occasionally. I have to admit, I don't like | | | | home schooling. |
| what I see. Schools these days have many | | | | |
| problems. Violence is growing. The standards | | | | You can buy complete home school curriculums |
| aren't high enough to make sure our children | | | | for children of any age by searching for |
| are learning. Many parents are not taking | | | | "Home School Curriculum." Many come on CD-ROM |
| their child's education seriously enough or | | | | with workbooks and everything you need. You |
| just aren't getting involved. And | | | | can buy everything at once or you can pick |
| unfortunately there are teachers and school | | | | and choose the subjects you want to teach |
| administrators out there that are more | | | | first. You can also find curriculums that |
| interested in numbers, politics, and money | | | | incorporate your religious beliefs. There are |
| than they are in the welfare of their | | | | many options! |
| students. | | | | |
| | | | There is also the theme method of home |
| All of these things and other considerations | | | | schooling where you teach your child |
| are making more and more parents look into | | | | everything at once by using a theme. You pick |
| home schooling as an option. This allows | | | | a theme your child likes like "The Old West" |
| parents to spend more time with their | | | | or "Outer Space". Then you combine teaching |
| children. It also allows them to be actively | | | | them math, geography, history, language |
| involved in their child's education to make | | | | skills, etc. based on using their favorite |
| sure their child is succeeding. | | | | theme. |
| | | | |
| But, where do I get started? I'm not a | | | | Children learn very fast when things are |
| teacher. Where do I get the materials? What | | | | interesting to them. Theme-based home |
| do I teach them? Is there some guideline to | | | | schooling is one way to keep your child |
| home schooling that has been successful for | | | | interested and also a great way for both of |
| other parents? Where can I find more | | | | you to have fun learning. If you combine this |
| information about Home Schooling? In this | | | | theme-based method of home schooling with |
| article I will do my best to help you find | | | | field trips or vacations that go along with |
| all of the information and resources | | | | it, you will find your child really |
| available for get started with Home | | | | interested in learning more. For instance, a |
| Schooling. | | | | field trip to the space museum or observatory |
| | | | if you are using the space theme. A vacation |
| First of all, home schooling is not free. | | | | to a ghost town on the western theme would |
| There are a lot of materials you will need. | | | | work as well. |
| Depending on the age of your child, there are | | | | |
| specific requirements and specific subjects | | | | If you are considering home schooling, you |
| they must learn as well as standardized tests | | | | will also want to make sure your child has |
| they must take. This is all set up to be sure | | | | ample opportunity for social activities. You |
| parents who take their children out of school | | | | may be able to provide them with the highest |
| are actually home schooling them. | | | | standards of academics, but children also |
| | | | need to socialize with their peers. This can |
| The first thing you will have to do is find | | | | be done through organized sports, music |
| out what the home schooling laws are in your | | | | classes, and many areas actually have home |
| state. Open a new browser window so you can | | | | school "community groups" that get together. |
| keep this articles open and copy this link | | | | Once you are able to connect with other home |
| and put it into the address bar of your new | | | | school parents in your area, you will be sure |
| window. There you will find out what the | | | | to find an abundance of activities for your |
| laws are in your state. Some states do not | | | | child to participate in. |
| require you notify them and others do, so | | | | |
| make sure you study up on your state's | | | | The bottom line is this. Do not be |
| requirements. | | | | intimidated by home schooling your child even |
| | | | if you did not do well in school yourself. |
| The next thing you want to do is talk with | | | | You can learn together. The benefits of home |
| people you know that are already doing home | | | | schooling can far outweigh the disadvantages. |
| schooling. They will be able to offer you | | | | Be creative and make learning fun for your |
| valuable home schooling advice. Try your | | | | child. Don't force it. If there is a day |
| local church or social group if you do not | | | | where it is just not going to work out, don't |
| know anyone doing home schooling. You can | | | | worry. You have time. |
| also search at for "Home Schooling Support | | | | |