| Have you decided on a course of education for | | | | you choose will lay out which materials and tools |
| your child and you chose homeschooling? | | | | you will need to teach your child. Be sure to have |
| Congratulations! It's time to get ready for the | | | | access to the Internet. Why? It is a wonderful |
| apprehension and pleasure that comes with it. You | | | | source to obtain homeschooling resources. Do |
| should know upfront that the roadway ahead of | | | | some searching. Do not settle on one thing. There |
| you will be bumpy. However, the rewards you | | | | is plenty of material available. |
| receive outweigh any problems you may | | | | Each child will need ground rules to follow. Set |
| encounter. It is imperative that you help create a | | | | them and make sure they know them. Your child |
| loving, well adjusted personality. You should know | | | | should be self-motivated. They should have |
| that doing that is not an easy feat. | | | | self-discipline to complete the work expected of |
| Before you begin homeschooling, you need to | | | | them. Homeschooling can be difficult. For that |
| check out the laws in your state. Each state has | | | | reason, there are six things you need to have a |
| a different set of rules in the Department of | | | | successful homeschooled student. They are: |
| Education. Some states require an affidavit to be | | | | |
| filed with the education department. There are | | | | 1. An eagerness to learn; |
| three categories for homeschooling laws. They | | | | 2. Hard work and effort; |
| are: private school laws, home education laws and | | | | 3. Obedience; |
| equivalency laws. Be sure to find the laws of your | | | | 4. Time and patience; |
| state. It is likely you will need to keep a portfolio | | | | 5. Flexibility; and |
| recording your child's progress. If you look at the | | | | 6. Enthusiasm |
| laws before you begin homeschooling, it can save | | | | Make sure you know why homeschooling is the |
| you from any legal ramifications. There is a | | | | choice for you. Understanding the reasons and |
| possibility that your state may want minimum | | | | motives behind your choice are very important. |
| education requirement | | | | The structure of your child's lesson can depend |
| Be sure to find a support group to help. Friends, | | | | on both of these. Be sure to talk with your child. |
| family and even neighbors may try to change | | | | See how they feel about being homeschooled. |
| your mind or place unanswered questions into | | | | Be sure to pick a curriculum or design a curriculum |
| your mind. The support group is designed for | | | | that is suitable for your child. Keep a record of |
| people who think like you. All of you can work | | | | the homeschooling activities. There should be one |
| together, sheltering yourselves from criticism | | | | method only for keeping records. Be sure to set |
| from people who do not understand. They can | | | | a schedule and it does not have to be six to |
| also help deal with the pressures and questions of | | | | seven hours a day. Be sure to allow them how to |
| those school children. Support groups sponsor field | | | | spend the time. Being flexible is a part of the |
| trips to places like museums, zoos, factories and | | | | homeschooling process. Never do a lot of skills in |
| other interesting and educational places. Should | | | | one year and prepare a list. Be sure the child |
| your children like other homeschoolers, a bond can | | | | learns the skills he is ready to do. |
| be formed and friendships can be built. It is less | | | | The secret behind the success of homeschooling: |
| likely to lose a friend this way. Support groups | | | | it's the parent who is calm. When you are calm, |
| allow for children to socialize. | | | | children do better in learning and participation. |
| After you have your support group in mind, | | | | They also show plenty enthusiasm to learn the |
| choose a curriculum. The homeschooling method | | | | material. |