More families than ever are homeschooling their children. So, you may also be thinking about taking this route. It’s a big decision that involves your entire family. Not just the kids—and you should think about a few things before making your final decision.
First of all, think about your family setup. Do you have a space for learning and studying without distractions? And, more importantly, is everyone on board with this idea? It’s not just about finding a spot for books; it’s about making sure everyone is willing to roll with the changes.
Then there’s the teaching part. You don’t need to be a certified teacher, but are you ready to plan lessons, research and guide your kids’ learning? Patience is key here, along with a knack for adapting when things don’t go as planned. You may be able to team up with other homeschoolers to trade off education plans or even share teaching duties, but you need to ensure you are all on the same page about learning objectives as well as values.
Figure out your finances. Homeschooling can mean shuffling finances around. Are you okay with potentially losing an income to focus on staying home to teach your kids? There’s also the matter of buying learning materials and resources to think about.
What about the curriculum? Are you alright with choosing or even creating a curriculum that fits your family’s goals? You need to ensure you follow the BC curriculum in some way, but you have plenty of flexibility in how to teach it.
And the big social question: How will your kids make friends and learn those social skills? You’ll need to find groups, clubs or community activities to fill that gap. Luckily, a lot of neighbourhood recreation and community centres now offer daytime swim lessons and other activities to support home learners.
Don’t forget about your kids. Are they up for homeschooling? Some kids love the personalized attention, while others might miss the buzz of a traditional school. You really need to take the time to think about your kids and the environments they thrive in. As well as if they will take you seriously as their teacher.
So, before taking the plunge into homeschooling, think about your family dynamics, your teaching skills (or your willingness to learn), finances, curriculum, social opportunities, your kids’ readiness and your flexibility. It’s a big deal, but with some thought and prep, you’ll figure out if your family is ready for this adventure!
