Step One: Know Your Reasons Why.
Every homeschooler has a story about why they chose this journey. Not everyone has the same journey or reasons for starting to homeschooling, but it’s important to know what your personal reasons are. Write them down, make sure they are visible, and then use them to feel confident in your decision.
Why is this the very first step?
Because you will have days where people question you and make you doubt. Or your child and you fight and you wonder if you should keep going. Or life feels overwhelming and you don’t know if you can do this anymore. Having that clear why means that you can remind yourself of your reasons and can keep pushing through rough days or doubt with clarity.
Why is this the very first step?
Because you will have days where people question you and make you doubt. Or your child and you fight and you wonder if you should keep going. Or life feels overwhelming and you don’t know if you can do this anymore. Having that clear why means that you can remind yourself of your reasons and can keep pushing through rough days or doubt with clarity.
Step Two: Know the rules
If you’re considering homeschooling, you need to begin by locating the relevant laws pertaining to homeschooling in your area. Some provinces or states require significant reporting and monitoring while others give parents a free hand to school their children as they see fit. Although homeschooling anywhere in Canada is completely legal, each province and territory has their own set of regulations and expectations surrounding homeschool. It is important that you familiarize yourself with what your province/territory requires. The last thing you want is to have a conflict that could cause big troubles for your family and your intent to educate at home.
In Ontario for example, homeschoolers are asked to submit a yearly letter of intent to their local school board. There is no requirement or involvement from the government. This province offers no funding to homeschooling families.
The following are just a few resources that offers an overview so you can quickly identify the pertinent laws and regulations.
In Canada: The Canadian Homeschooler
OFTP (Ontario Federation of Teaching Parents)
In the USA: HSLDA (Home School Legal Defense Association)
Continue reading for more info and Steps 3-6!
In Ontario for example, homeschoolers are asked to submit a yearly letter of intent to their local school board. There is no requirement or involvement from the government. This province offers no funding to homeschooling families.
The following are just a few resources that offers an overview so you can quickly identify the pertinent laws and regulations.
In Canada: The Canadian Homeschooler
OFTP (Ontario Federation of Teaching Parents)
In the USA: HSLDA (Home School Legal Defense Association)
Continue reading for more info and Steps 3-6!