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