Beginning the journey of homeschooling your child can be overwhelming for a parent. Choosing to homeschool your children provides benefits, such as adapting learning to your child’s specific needs and operating on a flexible schedule. But where do you begin when setting up a classroom and curriculum? Here are some important homeschool tips for beginners to make the transition from classroom to homeschool easier for you and your family.

Find a Learning Strategy

Homeschooling allows you to explore a variety of learning strategies that suits your child’s specific needs. As a beginner, choosing a curriculum that is best for your child can be daunting. Some common learning strategies that work effectively for homeschooling include:

• Mnemonic – mnemonic strategies allow students to learn facts like state capitals or historical dates by attaching associations to each piece of information
• Scaffolding– scaffolding strategies break learning down into smaller pieces for those with shorter attention spans
• Generative – generative is an active learning strategy that includes taking notes or reading out loud to help students retain information

Any of these learning strategies can be effective resources as a homeschool beginner.

Choose a Classroom Space

Having a designated classroom space will help reduce confusion and chaos, keeping a boundary between learning and non-learning times. Even if the classroom is the dining room table, have your children place their books and supplies away at the end of the school day. This will help keep your home a home. Everyone will be happier for it.

Create a Consistent Schedule

One of the benefits of homeschooling is the ability to allow more freedom into the schedule. Just as assigning a special space for learning is beneficial for creating a balance between school and play, so is maintaining a consistent schedule. There’s still time for wiggle room that a traditional classroom cannot offer, such as impromptu field trips. For the most part, however, the school day should begin and end at the same time. Having subjects begin at the same time each day can help foster a consistent routine. A colorful calendar with activities and studies can be helpful for both children and adults.

Feeling intimidated by the abundance of important homeschool tips for beginners out there is normal. Keep in mind that finding the right teaching methods and schedule for your child will take some trial and error. But know that homeschooling offers benefits that the traditional classroom does not, and, in time, you and your child will see the many advantages of learning from home.