What is your homeschooling advice for beginners?

I am going to start homeschooling my 5 year old. What is the best advice you can give me? At times I feel very overwhelmed because I also have a 3 y/o and a 1 y/o. I know this is the right decision but sometimes I doubt my ability to teach her effectively.What is your homeschooling advice for beginners?
The best advice I think you can receive is more about the concept than specifics....but I would say, don't try and do school at home. I knew a couple that bought desks, chalkboard, erasers, world map, you name it, it was in their basement...they had a small school room there. After a while, they realized that wasn't what the process was about....it was about learning, and helping your child recongnize the way they learn and leading them to be life long learners. They dumped all the trappings of the school room, and focused on their kids. It worked for them.





You already know more about your child than anyone else (except maybe your husband)...exploit that knowledge. You know what works in educating her; after all, you have taught her to speak one of the most complex languages on earth.





Maybe she is all hands on...maybe she likes to sit and think it over...all kinds of learning styles can be exhibited by a 5 year old, and you just need to get comfortable in recongizing them.





Get comfortable with yourself, too. Remember that you'll make mistakes, it won't be perfect, and you'll have days when the 3yo is sick and the 1yo is not far behind, and you WILL be overwhelmed. Take a few days off, have your daughter color, help around the house, help take care of her siblings (as much as she can!) Accept these times as part of the gift of homeschooling, a part that allows you to turn every moment of each day into an opportunity to learn.





Read, read, read. Get ideas on how children learn. John Holt's books are really interesting on how children learn or don't learn. Be aware of what your daughter (and your other kids) is saying and doing. You will begin to see what works for them, and you will begin to tailor your homeschool around them...that's the beauty of it.





Don't worry about your abilities. There is a lot of help out there for people that feel they need it, and everyone does from time to time. You'll find other homeschoolers, you'll make connections in the community...you'll find support. Just realize that you can do whatever is needed to make that child successful.





Good luck!What is your homeschooling advice for beginners?
I would start with a curriculum for the first year. It takes alot of the stress of trying to make sure the kids are getting all that they need. After a while of HSing you will most likely get over the 'list of things' the schools think kids should learn and you will work it all out on your own. But at first alot of us are concerned with actually doing school at home, you will find your own style if this isnt going to work for you and your family. If you do go with a school in a box, relax. If your 5yo gets something quickly move on and do something else.
The best advice, would be the same advice I received when I began:


Homeschooling is an ever evolving process that is to be enjoyed.


Do not try to recreate the public school at home, your home is your learning environment, so make it comfortable to learn in your home.


Being a homeschool mom does not mean you have transformed in to someone you are not. Maintain your personality.


If something does not work, then just do something different next time. You have not failed, you have just simply found something that doesn't work for your family.


Find a homeschool support group so you will have other moms to talk to. If there isn't one in your area, start one. All it takes is a couple of e-mail invites, a pot of coffee and an open door.


Oh, and, haha, your local librarian is your new BFF! :)


Enjoy this time with your children.
Check your library, I reccommend John Holt highly.





there is a wide spectrum of home schooling approaches, from re-creating school at home to the very rigorous and regimented to child-led and unstructured.


here are some suggestions to google to give you an idea of the range of options:


Waldorf


Montessori


Classical Education


homeschool curricula


Unschooling


Charlotte Mason


K12.com (often this last option is free through the state, providing all materials and even a loaner computer)





once you have an idea of what direction you'd like to go, check yahoogroups for likeminded homeschoolers, and befriend your local librarian, who may be able to put you in touch with other local home schooling families.





If you'd like to put together your own curriculum check out the Core Knowledge: what your (x) grader needs to know


series, and Rebecca Rupps book on year by year curriculum guidelines.





edit: don't get discouraged if you're not religious, there are lots of secular materials out there, too. k12 is secular.
You've received some great advice so far!





I would add that it's very important to find your child's learning style, *and* yours, too! Then when you choose activities and/or curriculum, you can match it to that style. Nothing kills the love of learning more than forcing a child to do work that's not their way! ;-) A textbook curriculum may work for you, but not your child - they may need more hands-on work/activities, etc.





There are some great books about learning styles. Cynthia Tobias is one author.





Here's one of her books:





http://www.amazon.com/They-Learn-Cynthia鈥?/a>
Abeka offers a DVD program. I know five year olds who've breezed through it, and absorbed everything. I know five year olds who daydreamed instead of singing along and participating. It's a good program for children who are ready for it. It starts with the basics, and progresses at a decent pace. I honestly don't trust my five year old to pay attention to a teacher who isn't standing over him; he's a handful, though. But each child is different, and you should look into a program such as this if you think you haven't the time or patience yourself.





I didn't think I'd be able to handle my second grader last year, and I ended up teaching him, along with my 5 and 4 year olds. (While my one and two year olds playing nearby!) No tvs necessary, if you're enthusiastic. Abeka and Bob Jones University are very clear cut and descriptive in explaining how to approach teaching new concepts. I've had no problems with any of my children, and I'm sure you could do it if you decide it's what you want.





I've included the link I used when I began researching for materials.
As a homeschooling mother who just began homeschooling this past November, I would strongly recommend a curriculum. I think many veteran homeschoolers make homeschooling sound simple, and it may be simple to them due to their experience. However, a boxed curriculum makes everything a lot easier for a novice homeschoolers. Of course, if you see something is not working for your child, free free to tweak/change it, trying something different, etc.





As I am becoming more comfortable with homeschooling this year, I find myself becoming more and more eclectic. Around November when I began homeschooling I was using a free curriculum off the internet; however, it simply was not working. I then switched to an online home education program which worked a lot better. I am now supplementing the online program with books, worksheets, projects of my own, etc., and everything is working well.





Nevertheless, I am positive that as my son changes, matures, and grows, that we may have to switch curricula again. I am learning to flow with things and as long as he is learning and enjoying the process, all is well.





I hope this is helpful.
You are going to get many varied opinions on this one. We home school people love to encourage and give advice.


My advice would be to relax and enjoy your children. I had my only child late in life and I would like to reclaim those years that I listened to 'experts' instead of following my motherly instincts.


Read as much as you can concerning learning philosophies but have fun in the journey. Don't compare your children to other children but teach them at their pace and in their style.
You are doing ';Kindergarten'; for this child. Start with aphabet, phonics ( b says buh). and also counting and simple addition and subtraction.





read together good books like Wind in the Willows or Beatrix Potter books that the other children will enjoy as well. pure acedemics will amount for about one hour a day.





The most important task at this level is to develop a joy for learning.





a home school dad for 20 years
You know more than you think you do! Until you feel comfortable, buy a cirriculum.





My parents barely used an cirriculum materials at all. We learned numbers, counting, fractions and science while helping in the kitchen. My mom made her own spelling words lists and we took speeling tests every week. We each took turns reading aloud to her and in the afternoon, she would read a chapter of a book like ';Heidi'; to us. We did a lot of activities like arts and crafts, going to the orchards, museum, library etc. My siblings were in youth symphony, music lessons, children's theater, parks and rec sports etc.





My parents bought math workbooks and tapes, phonics and handwriting wipe-off sheets. I don't think they bought any other cirriculum. We switched into private schools and were all way ahead of our classes (except my sister in math. She never did get it.)





Mostly - have fun. Keep it interesting. It's amazing that kids that ';can't count'; and ';can't do math'; can count, add and subtract pieces of cnady perfectly! :D





Don't be suprised if the little ones want to join in the fun!. And let them! the oldest child is the hardest, but the little ones want to copy so it's easier with them.





Make sure you have a lot of support. Look for homeschooling associations in your area.
If you doubt then send your child to public school or private school. Besides...they miss SO much socially.