You’ve decided to take a different route for your child’s education, but have no idea how to begin homeschooling. You’re likely scouring the internet looking for information and asking the only people you know that homeschool. I get it. There’s a lot of information out there.
Today, I want to simplify the process of how to begin homeschooling so that you can finally put your worries to rest. This includes the “legal” aspects, along with the other questions you may be pondering such as, “What to do before you file your notice of intent?”
How to Begin Homeschooling
Step 1: Research Homeschooling Philosophies and Methods
This is such an underrated step, but it was an essential part of our homeschooling journey.
Before you try to choose a curriculum or map out your entire year, take some time to learn about the different ways families homeschool. You do not have to recreate school at home, and honestly, one of the greatest gifts of homeschooling is realizing that education can look different than what many of us grew up with.
Some popular homeschooling styles include traditional, classical, Charlotte Mason, Montessori, unit studies, Waldorf, and unschooling. Each style has its own ideas and philosophy, and you may find yourself drawn to one more than the others.
Understanding which style resonates with you can help guide so many of your decisions, including what curriculum you choose, how you structure your days, what books you read, what homeschool groups you join, and what kind of atmosphere you want to create in your home.
You do not have to choose one style forever, and you do not have to become a purist. But knowing what you value will help you make better decisions.
Read next: 7 Homeschooling Styles Explained
Step 2: Create a Vision for Your Homeschool
Before you begin homeschooling, I think it is so important to create a vision for your home and your child’s education. Think about your ideal homeschool day. Not the perfect, unrealistic version where everyone is cheerful and the baby naps exactly when you need him to, but the overall feeling you want your days to have.
What does your homeschool look like?
How do you spend your mornings?
What kind of relationship do you want to have with your child?
How do you want your child to feel about learning?
What do you want them to remember about this season?
Also think about what matters most to your family. Maybe you value strong academics, time outside, faith, character, emotional growth, creativity, family connection, or a slower childhood. Maybe you want your children to love books, learn practical life skills, spend more time in nature, or have more space to explore their interests.
Getting clear on your vision will help you set meaningful goals. It will also help you know what to say yes to, what to say no to, and what kind of homeschool you are actually trying to build.
Step 3: Choose a Curriculum
Once you have a better understanding of the homeschooling philosophies you are drawn to and the vision you have for your home, then it makes sense to start looking at curriculum.
There are so many options available: traditional textbooks, online programs, unit studies, literature-based curriculum, open-and-go programs, and free Charlotte Mason resources like AmblesideOnline.
When choosing curriculum, consider your child’s learning style, personality, and needs. How do they learn best? What has worked well in the past? What has not worked well? Do they need hands-on learning, short lessons, beautiful books, clear structure, independent work, or more support from you?
And I think this matters too: what curriculum seems appealing to you?
You are the one teaching it, planning it, and carrying it out in your home. If a curriculum makes you feel overwhelmed before you even begin, pay attention to that. The best curriculum is not the one that looks most impressive online. It is the one that helps you teach the child in front of you.
Read next: How to Choose a Homeschool Curriculum
Step 4: Gather Inspiration and Resources
This is probably something I do not need to tell you to do, because if you are anything like me, you have already searched the internet, saved the posts, checked out the books, and maybe bought more than you needed.
But inspiration can be really helpful in the beginning.
Look for encouragement in books, online spaces, and your local community. Find other homeschooling families who are living in a way that feels aligned with your own values and vision. Notice how they structure their days, what they prioritize, and what seems to work well for them.
At the same time, do not be afraid to learn from families who homeschool differently than you thought you would. You may be surprised by how your plans bend and change once you actually begin. And that is okay.
The goal is not to find another family to copy. The goal is to gather wisdom, encouragement, and ideas that help you shape something that works for your own home.
Here are a few books that inspired me most in the beginning of my own homeschooling journey:
Teaching from Rest by Sarah Mackenzie
The Call of the Wild and Free by Ainsley Arment
The Brave Learner by Julie Bogart
The Unhurried Homeschooler by Durenda Wilson
Step 5: Create Your Space
You do not need a perfect homeschool room to begin homeschooling.
I know the beautiful homeschool rooms online are inspiring, and I love a good bookshelf as much as anyone, but you do not need a dedicated room, matching bins, or a wall full of educational posters to give your child a meaningful education. Start with what you have, and go from there.
I did create a dedicated space, and it was beautiful. It housed many books, table to work at, a ton of rocks and sticks, and every type of basket you can imagine. Even with this beautiful space, most of our work was done at the kitchen table and on the back porch – because those spaces worked best for our family in that season.
Maybe your homeschool happens at the kitchen table. Maybe it happens on the couch, outside on a blanket, in the car between activities, or in a little corner of your living room. What matters most is that your space serves your family.
Create a simple place for the books, supplies, notebooks, pencils, and resources you use most often. Make it easy to begin and easy to clean up. If your space feels peaceful and functional, that is enough. Maybe you can convert your dining room into a homeschool room once you get going. If you have the space, go for it! But don’t think it has to be done right now. In fact, I find it’s best to get going to see what you need before you start building bookcases and hanging up maps.
Your homeschool space should support your rhythm, not become another thing to maintain.
Step 6: Define Your Rhythm
Before you worry about creating the perfect schedule, think about your rhythm.
A schedule tells you exactly what time everything happens. A rhythm gives your day a natural flow.
Some families thrive with a detailed schedule, and that is wonderful. But many homeschool families do better with a simple rhythm: breakfast, morning basket, math, read-aloud, outside time, lunch, quiet time, and afternoon activities.
Think about your actual life.
When are your children most focused?
When do you have the most energy?
Do you have a baby who naps?
Do you have outside commitments?
Do your children need movement before table work?
Do you need to start the day slowly?
Begin by noticing the natural rhythms you have now. What happens after breakfast? Does everyone go straight for the couches in the living room? That would be an excellent home for your Morning Basket then. Are your children most focused in the morning? Begin the day with math or language arts. When do you notice that they’re most fidgety or begging to go outside? Include outside time during that time; whether its free play, nature study, a walk around the block, or doing math on the trampoline.
This is one of our rhythms during the earlier days of homeschooling:
Please do not assume that this is how we spent each and every day. This was just our ideal rhythm. Some days were spent entirely outside, looking at mushrooms, counting dandelions, eating snacks, going for a bike ride and cuddling up with a pile of books afterwards. And those days were the absolute best.
Your rhythm should help your day feel more peaceful, not more pressured. You can always adjust as you go, and you definitely will. That is part of homeschooling.
Step 7: Cultivate Community
I will be bold enough to say that a healthy homeschool experience requires a homeschool community. Do not wait until you’ve homeschooled “long enough”, or until your kids finish their math curriculum before you begin finding one. Find one now, even if you’re in the very beginning of your journey. Especially if you’re in the beginning.
You may find this community within a homeschool co-op, a nature group, regular homeschool classes, or homeschool sports. You do not need to join every group or say yes to every opportunity. But you should try a few different ones until you find the right fit for your family. Once you find something, commit to showing up, and show up regularly. It may be challenging at first, and even uncomfortable, but that’s okay.
Your children need friendship, and so do you.
Step 8: Check Your State Laws
Every state has different homeschooling laws, so before you officially begin, you will need to check your state’s requirements.
Some states have teacher qualifications, notice of intent requirements, attendance records, testing, portfolios, or specific subjects that need to be taught. Other states are much more relaxed.
Before you file anything, make sure you understand exactly what your state requires and when you are supposed to do it.
For example, in North Carolina, homeschool families are required to keep attendance records, immunization records, and complete an annual standardized test. These records do not have to be turned in each year, but they do need to be kept on file.
I keep a binder for each child where I store the required paperwork and any end-of-year work I want to save. We also keep simple portfolios, and honestly, we love looking back through them. It is such a sweet way to see how much they have learned and grown.
Your state may be different, so do not assume your requirements are the same as someone else’s. Take a little time to learn what is expected so you can move forward with confidence.
Here is a great website where you can find your state laws.
Step 9: Keep Up with the Requirements
Once your homeschool is officially started, make a simple plan to keep up with your state’s requirements throughout the year.
This might include tracking attendance, saving immunization records, scheduling annual testing, keeping a portfolio, or filing certain forms depending on where you live.
The key is to make it simple. Do not wait until the end of the year to gather everything if you know that will stress you out. Create a folder, binder, or digital file where you can keep important documents as you go.
Homeschooling does not have to be complicated, but you do want to stay organized enough that you are not scrambling later.
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