Written by Caitlin Fitzpatrick Curley
Some people have always wanted to homeschool their children; it has always been a part of their plan. Other people land here, suddenly and without warning. I call these homeschoolers the “suddenly, unexpectedlies.”
I fall into the “suddenly unexpectedly” camp. As a school psychologist and product of the public education system, homeschooling was never on my radar… until May of 2014 when we found ourselves suddenly, unexpectedly homeschooling our oldest son. The decision to homeschool was stressful and scary, but we knew it was the right choice for our family. We quickly added two additional homeschoolers to our fold and we’re currently embarking on our seventh year.
I think we are going to have a ton of “suddenly unexpectedlies” this fall because 2020 has been quite a year.
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When I first started homeschooling, I was completely overwhelmed.
Did I need a certain curriculum? Should I follow a school schedule? Do I need to follow a certain homeschool philosophy? What if we drive each other crazy? I can’t remember half the stuff I learned in school. How do I convert Fahrenheit to Celsius? What is a dangling participle? What if he ends up with a million educational gaps? What if I fail? Can you relate? Are you a “suddenly unexpectedly,” too?
I want you to sit down, take a deep breath, and listen to me: You’ve got this. Sometimes, as mamas, we tend to overthink all the things. As a result, we can overcomplicate everything!
But I truly, wholeheartedly, believe that homeschooling doesn’t have to feel hard or complicated. Today, I am sharing five simple ideas to start the year strong, from one “suddenly unexpectedly” to another.
How to Start Homeschooling: 5 Simple Ideas to Start the Year Strong
But before you begin, consider deschooling.
I know you feel like you’re already behind. I know you want to find your rhythm ASAP. I’ve been there and I get it. I see you.
But…
If your child is transitioning from a traditional school environment, it’s important to take time to deschool.
Take a break. Do not rush into homeschooling. Don’t worry about the academics right now (even though you will anyway!), focus on hearts over heads. Connect. Have fun together. Read delicious books aloud. Play amazing games. Explore nature together. Smile. Laugh. Make memories.
1. Look at the amazing kiddo in front of you!
You were your child’s first teacher.
I am going to say that one more time: You were your child’s first teacher. No one is better equipped to teach this child than you. You taught your child how to eat, to sleep, to use the restroom, to wash her hands, to tie her shoes, to use kind words, to take turns… and the list goes on.
Stop worrying about how you’re going to do this. You’re already doing it!
You do not need to know all the things. I know you’re silently freaking out that you can’t remember what an isosceles triangle is, or the current status of Pluto as a planet, or when the French and Indian War started. I’ve been there, but here’s the good news: You can re-learn it all together.
If you don’t know the answer to something, you can research it together. And guess what? By doing so, you’re teaching your child how to be a curious, lifelong learner!
2. Remember that connection is key, always.
The first year of homeschooling is an evolution. The transition from traditional brick and mortar schooling to homeschooling is a huge one. There will be power struggles. There will be tears. This is normal as you all adjust. It will take time to find your groove, but you will get there.
Remember to be a parent first. If your kiddo is sobbing over a math workbook, close the book. Take a walk. Reset and remember that teachers and students in public school have bad days, too.
3. Reading aloud is the most important homeschool activity. Do that first, rinse, and repeat.
Reading aloud is the single most important thing you can do for your child’s academic success and if you don’t believe me, just look at the research. But reading aloud does so much more than boost those academic skills. Reading aloud boosts connection, makes memories, and flexes those empathy muscles.
You will second guess yourself all the time, especially during the first year. When in doubt, read aloud. You can cover any academic topic, any interest, any genre. Are you feeling that you have been slacking in math? Grab some math picture books and snuggle up on the couch. That’s math, my friend. Check off that box and breathe a little easier. I honestly believe you could homeschool with your library card alone.
In our homeschool, we have a super simple morning tradition called Coffee and Books. This routine, like our decision to homeschool, was an unexpected one. It evolved slowly, over time. To this day, Coffee and Books is the foundation for our homeschool day. With Coffee and Books, I check off the most important thing first and I can cover any academic subject or area of interest.
If you’d like to learn more about starting a super-simple Coffee and Books routine in your homeschool, I have big news for you. I’m releasing a Coffee and Books course, featuring multiple, actionable printable resources. Those who join the waitlist will have early bird access at a discount. Join the waitlist here.
4. Explore the world around you. Learning happens all the time!
Now that we are homeschooling, our days have far more space. Even the most mundane of household tasks, like laundry, take on an educational twist when you are homeschooling. We do all of these tasks together, as a team.
One of the best things about homeschooling is that you don’t need to be at home. Learning happens anywhere when you just relax and let it. Take time to be in nature together, let the world be your classroom. Let those kids explore and get their hands dirty.
You are going to learn so much this year… together! Your children are going to teach you more than you’d ever thought possible. You will find yourself wondering who is the teacher!
5. Play matters. It fuels learning, boosts connection, and can change the entire atmosphere of your homeschool today.
Play is essential for child development, but it’s also important for grown-ups! (Don’t believe me? Check out the research!)
Before I was a homeschooling mama, I was a school psychologist. I’m a lifelong gamer and I knew the importance of play when it comes to child development and learning. I would always have a game with me. Games were a wonderful way to break the ice and connect with my students.
When I found myself suddenly, unexpectedly, homeschooling, I again turned to games. I consider games to be a part of our homeschool curriculum and routine. That’s right: We are gameschoolers. I have witnessed, time and time again, amazing growth and development in academic and non-academic skills through gameschooling.
If you would like to add more play to your homeschool day, but you’re worried about all those daily “homeschool must-dos,” I highly suggest you dabble in gameschooling.
Gameschooling is the intersection of homeschooling and play. With gameschooling, you can boost connection, fuel learning, and cross off many of those must-dos through the use of educational board games.
If you’d like to learn more about how to add gameschooling to your homeschool routine, I have some exciting news for you. I am releasing a course on how to get started with gameschooling. By joining the waitlist, you’ll receive early bird access and a discount. Join the waitlist here.
You’ve got this…
When we stumbled into homeschooling, I knew it was the right choice for our oldest. But I wondered if we would like it. I feared that one or both of us would hate it. I never considered that I might completely fall in love with homeschooling.
Homeschooling has been the best curveball ever.
In moments of doubt and worry, I want you to remember this: You were your child’s first teacher. No one in the world cares more about this child and his education than you do. You are more than fit for this job. You’ve got this. I hope that, once the new homeschooling dust settles, it is a fantastic curveball for your family, too!
… but if you need more support getting started, you are not alone.
Homeschooling can be overwhelming… if you let it. Do not worry about next week or next month or next year. Focus on today. Put one foot in front of the other and remember that you’ve been teaching all along.
I truly, wholeheartedly, believe that homeschooling doesn’t have to feel hard or complicated. I believe that homeschooling can be almost all fun and games. I’d love to show you how! Learn more here.
Tell us: What super-simple tips would you add? Share them here!
What’s Your Homeschool Mom Personality? Take Jamie’s quiz now and receive a free personality report to help you organize your homeschool based on what your personality type needs most!
Top image by Jess Bailey on Unsplash
Weekend homeschool links: July 3rd
I love this, Cait. Those would be my top 5 pieces of advice for new homeschool mamas too, and yet, here I am 12 years in appreciating the same reminders just as much. Thank you for sharing 🙂
Celeste Orr’s latest post: Admit You’re Still Learning
Hey, you! Good to “see” you. Yes, we all need reminders- self included!
Cait Curley’s latest post: Raising Stonecatchers
Number 4 is the best advice. Grocery store taught science/nutrition, math, and of course social skills. My daughter loves to bake. How better to teach fractions then adapting recipies? Best wishes to new homeschoolers. You’ve got this
Yes!! Science and math are everywhere and learning happens all the time when we relax and let it 🙂 Thanks, Toni!
Cait Curley’s latest post: Gifted Homeschool Curriculum Choices {4th, 5th, and 7th grade}
Thank you for this. I’m not even certain that I’m in the unexpected homeschoolers club, but I might very well be, and hearing encouragement will help us make the decision less stressful.
I’m glad you found it helpful, Morgan. If you end up here, just remember that you’ve got this 🙂
Cait Curley’s latest post: Gifted Homeschool Curriculum Choices {4th, 5th, and 7th grade}
I agree that reading aloud is the most important part of our homeschooling day. And when I ask my kids their favorite part of the school day, they always mention read-alouds and audiobooks. I have learned so much myself along the way from history and science related picture books! We continue reading aloud throughout the summer. I loved your Kindred Collective conference presentation on read-alouds, Cait! I was already a true believer but still felt inspired and learned so much.
Betsy Escandon’s latest post: Picture Books to Promote Social & Emotional Learning
It’s amazing how much learning can happen through those daily read-alouds. It almost feels like a cheat, but it’s the best learning of the day in many cases. And you’re right- the kids love it just as much as we do! Glad you loved Kindred. The girls have a great summer conference planned and I’ll be back for the next one!
Cait Curley’s latest post: Gifted Homeschool Curriculum Choices {4th, 5th, and 7th grade}
This post is gold! I’m forwarding it on to friends in my life who are currently deciding whether or not to homeschool. I know it will offer them comfort and encouragement. 🙂
As we get ready to head into our 11th year of homeschooling, all of your advice continues to ring true. Connection, reading aloud, exploring, and playing are feeling just as essential now with my two teenagers as they did when my kids were little. I love celebrating them as individuals and watching them continue to grow into the people they are becoming.
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Hi Sarah!
Thanks for sharing. And it’s so true that it never becomes less important. I’m cherishing the time with my tween more than ever and I hope that it helps us navigate the teen years.
Cait Curley’s latest post: Gifted Homeschool Curriculum Choices {4th, 5th, and 7th grade}
Great advice! I have also appreciated the advice to focus on rhythms and routines instead of focusing on getting a set amount of work done. When I wanted to add poetry, we started with reading 1 poem every day, math is done by time spent, not quantity completed, we read aloud at set periods of the day: morning time, lunch, and bedtime, sometimes we have been part of a gaming group. I think it is really helpful for new homeschoolers to know that consistency (in whatever you think is important for your homeschool) is more important than spending tons of time per day AND it makes it easier to actually accomplish the things you want to do.
Jen @ Bookish Family’s latest post: Recap and Review of 4th Grade Charlotte Mason Homeschool Plans, 2019-2020
Yes! Consistency is key and you need to make your routine work for your unique family. 100%!
Cait Curley’s latest post: Gifted Homeschool Curriculum Choices {4th, 5th, and 7th grade}
I have a soon to be seventh grader. With all that is going on I am considering homeschooling him. But I still have to work. So it would take some work to make it happen. I am worried about teaching math, though. I can do the rest of middle school but high school math….yikes! I’m very nervous about making the change but more nervous about how public schools will change. Any suggestions?
Yes! Get help. Use Teaching textbooks online, Kahn Academy online, Homeschool Connections online, Saxon math DVDs, or Nicole the Math Lady online, or a friend or family member. See where I am going with this? Do not attempt to take on more than you are already identifying as your limit. Everyone will cry! Get some tools in your box & execute your plan, how ever slowly. It is more important to build GOOD math skills than hurry through it, especially building up to high school. But math shouldn’t be ignored either b/c it isn’t going away. I just encourage all to get some help, avoid perfectionism. Mom to 6, been homeschooling imperfectly for longer than I can recall.
Rebecca shared great advice. Don’t be afraid to outsource. There are tons of online options. We have used Khan, Beast Academy Online, Nicole the Math Lady (with Saxon) and Mr D Math over the years. I’d start with Khan because FREE 🙂 Make your days work for you!
I’m definitely one of those unexpected homeschoolers! We’ve withdrawn our 7 and 4yos and will homeschool until we feel it’s safe to return to classrooms. I’m a special education teacher and left full time teaching when my oldest was born. I’ve been DEVOURING your podcast and I’m happy to report we’ve have three successful homeschool days in a row, largely thanks to Coffee and Books. (We decided to “start” July 1 to give ourselves some flexibility.) It’s amazing! That tidbit has saved my tail and I bow down to you!!! Y’all speak so much truth about this crazy journey. I’d always planned to go back to the classroom when my youngest started school full time, so this is just a little earlier and in my dining room!
Way to go, Carolyn! It’s so hard to move from teacher to homeschooler because that public school mindset is tough to shake. I *love* Coffee and Books. It’s so simple that it feels like cheating, but all these years later it’s still the spine of our homeschool. It fuels SO MUCH learning! So glad it’s working for your kids!
I have kids of multiple ages- 7, 9 and 3. How do I homeschool each one appropriately? Mom guilt got the best of me more than once during our virtual learning and I just felt like I couldn’t do enough for anyone…. ever!
Hi, Elisa!
You need to shake that public school mindset and think of your homeschool as a one room school house versus single grade levels. My kids are 12, 10, and 8 and the only subjects we have entirely separate are math and piano. Other than that, we learn the same things but scale to meet levels. The spine of our homeschool is our morning read-aloud routine, which we refer to as “Coffee and Books” (you can read more in the above article and the links to my site). That fuels much of our learning. And then we layer on creative educational resources to make “Lazy” (read: EASY) Unit Studies. Plus, oodles of gameschooling. It does not need to feel hard or complicated. Often, the very best ideas are the simplest ones and your kids will learn despite you 🙂 You’ve got this!
Cait Curley’s latest post: Gifted Homeschool Curriculum Choices {4th, 5th, and 7th grade}
Great list – thank you! We are also new to Homeschooling unexpectedly this year due to COVID-19 and postponing our US move to Spain … We are going to focus a lot on number 4 I hope. I am calling it City Schooling! I’m leaving public education after 11 years … so all three of us (9 and 7 year old) will definitely have some “work” to do to try to break some molds that we are use to.
-Tara of Four Take Flight (www.fourtakeflight.com)
I hope it’s a wonderful year of exploration for you all, Tara. City Schooling sounds like so much fun!
Cait Curley’s latest post: Gifted Homeschool Curriculum Choices {4th, 5th, and 7th grade}
Hi, Caitlin! I love (love, love) your “books and coffee” mornings. Reading out loud is one of my favorite things to do with my son, and I’ve been looking for more ways to wrap reading into our daily rhythm. When he was younger he used to like to drink “coffee” (warmed milk with a little sugar and cinnamon) with me in the afternoons; this sounds like an easy way to turn that into a more common part of our day. Thanks for the inspiration!
I’m so glad you found it helpful, Alexa. I love your son’s “coffee”- so sweet!
One of the best things about homeschooling is that you can do things a little differently. Sure you still need to learn your math facts, sight words, and history lessons, but you can do it your way. Textbooks are useful, and quizzes have their place. However, sometimes you need to think outside the box and just let the learning happen. A perfect way to do this is through BINGO games and hands-on fun. Other idea and, in my opinion, the cheapest one – you can even make it for free and this might be a topic of diy lessons, also the most universal game is chess. Math, history, mentioned diy and many, many more things where sky is a limit. The book by Maksim Aksanov (- net-bossorg/chess-puzzles-for-kids-by-maksim-aksanov.) is very helpful in this matter, because on one station ,they have to solve a chess diagram with one, specific move etc.