How to Get Started with Homeschooling

If you are in the Houston area check out these websites:
http://www.homeschool-life.com/tx/heart/
http://www.pacesinfo.org
http://www.homerunministries.com/

First of all, check out your local library for books and places such as Half Price Books. At her age, I wouldn't do anything very schedule. Yes, maybe work some everyday, but don't make it seem required. I have found and used LOTS of books from the Dollar General stores and Mardel.Honestly, I don't think leaving the 18 month old w/a sitter has to be done right now. Everything we say & do is a lessons for our little ones. Listen to cd's with children songs, sing them with them. There are several shows on PBS that they can learn greatly from. As you do much learning through "play", both will grow and learn!!! The most important thing at this age is reading....SO, read, read, read to them!!Ask them questions.

You have received so many great suggestions -
Just thought I'd give you the link to Smoothing the Way - www.smoothingtheway.com - they also have a seminar called Starting the Way which is specifically designed for the age you are thinking of.

We homeschooled for 6 years and this past year started attending a UMS school - which is a blend of traditional and homeschooling - 2 days a week in the classroom for K-4 and 3 days a week in the classroom for 5-12th - just mentioning it so you know it's out there as you assess what is best for your family-

And there are also places on the web where I found a list of like 75 activities that you could have your toddler do while you are trying to do school, little quiet activities that they enjoy...

Anyway, God bless you as you start adding this other type of learning into the mix of what you are teaching your children!
A.

Check out Starting the Way, or Smoothing the Way... its an organization dedicated to training and support for 1st year homeschoolers. They have great tips for getting started.

Also, check out www.thsc.org they'll have the guidelines for homeschooling in Texas mapped out in the FAQ section of the site (convention is coming up Aug. 6-8 in the Houston area) and you'd find it really nurturing...Sally Clarkson (one of the speakers) from Wholehearted Ministries is balm to the overwhelmed mom committed to home schooling (or just committed to mothering)

I think you'll find that at this age "formal" schooling isn't really necessary in a home environment and that you'll need less time than you think for having the 18 month old with a sitter. The little one may be a challenge during some activities (mostly because sometimes they want attention when you want to give it to the older child,) but training a young one to do certain activities (like doodling on a piece of paper while sitting next to sibling, during "school time") allows little one to learn what "school" is like in our home from the older child. If you visit a preschool (a good preschool) they are going to have a little seat work and a lot of play.

Coming up with areas in your home that stimulate creativity and imagination (in schools they call them centers, at home we call them tupperware cabinets, sinks with bubbles, sandboxes, dress up boxes, musical instruments with little kid taperecorders... trips to the playground are the same :) and then helping your children to learn to play together will help you get ready for future years of schooling. Your two are close enough in age you can school them together, knowing that the little one will only be able to do things like an 18 month old.

I've heard one suggestion for amount of time in formal schooling start at 30 min. of seatwork for 1st grade, and adding a half an hour a year... maxing out at half a day for highschoolers...the rest of the day for the high schoolers is spent doing projects, work, interests etc. My teenager will do most of her classes in the morning...swim two hours (most days) in the late afternoon, take a piano lesson one day a week and practice the other days, helps around the house (for some of which she gets paid,) calls friends, does projects such as sewing a dress for a Shakespeare play in which she performed. This summer she took care of 3 houses, and pets for folks going out of town. Ooops! I digress, got a little carried away. We're still talking about the four and under crowd...

We love reading beautiful books together and allow them to work their magic...my kids love to learn by reading with us, and when I'm busy I've noticed the older ones reading to the younger.

www.Sonlight.com Sonlight has recently come out with a wonderful literature based curriculum for PreK3/4 which we purchased last year to use with our 3 now 4 year old. It is not overwhelming and is rich in activities (easy and fun) and books. Learning letters and numbers are great activities, as well as cutting and gluing etc. You can just get out the glue, paper and scissors. We also like the Kumon maze books. They're colorful and not too expensive. *just a note I've not been paid or gifted for any of these recommendations, just a mom giving an opinion...and I've paid for every material I've used...am sensitive to that spam blogging thing...

This is a magical time for mom and child at this stage of life...don't worry about getting everything into the "school day." Take a breath and enjoy the fleeting time...academics come too soon! Blessings to you!

Just a note: I checked and saw you were in Houston. The State Convention is free to THSC members and I think $25 dollars to non. It is at the Marriott Woodlands and worth taking the time to investigate...they have the details on their website. (i'm not a member of HSLD which is a national organization...i am a member of Texas Home School Coalition because they are closer to home and watch dog the folks in the Texas Legislature on behalf of home schoolers in Texas, and they also provide legal services. I'm sure HSLD is influential at a national level and is worth joining, but I had to choose because I couldn't afford both.)

Try googleing this book:
The Well-Trained Mind: A Guide to Classical Education at Home (first published 1999 by W.W. Norton and now in its third edition) offers a step-by-step, grade-by-grade, subject-by-subject guide to the classical pattern of education called the trivium. Thousands of parents have used the curricula, books lists, and methods of The Well-Trained Mind to teach their children successfully at home–either full-time or as a supplement to classroom education.
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I heard one of the authors (Susan) speak at a homeschool convention in Fresno, CA in 2001, she was so engaging and just set your mind at ease.
This book takes one through pre-k to grad school.
I highly recommend it as a resource, it will enable you to tailor your childs education.
I hope you enjoy it!
R. M

Hi S.,
I have been homeschooling for the past 6 years. If there is one thing I wish I had known about from the beginning it is Ambleside Online. I discovered it a little over a year ago and it has been such a blessing to our homeschool.
It may not be what you're looking for, but I thought I would pass along some links so you can check it out.
This is a link to Charlotte Masons book for early childhood education...
http://www.amblesideonline.org/CM/toc.html#1
This is a link to Ambleside Online's FAQ
http://www.amblesideonline.org/FAQ.shtml
And this is a brief explanation of a Charlotte Mason Education...
"First and foremost, Charlotte Mason is a 12-year Christian Character Building curriculum. Books are chosen not for cultural literacy so much as the literary quality with which they were written, and even more, their ability to develop the whole person and inspire his character. For all those years that children are getting a CM education, what's really being trained more than anything else is their character. Students receiving a CM education don't need any character building program because the entire curriculum is geared towards building character with the use of personal habits, quality books, teacher guidance, the work of the Holy Spirit and personal reflection."
Blessings on you homeschool journey!
A. :~D

hi S.!
i homeschool my 6yr old while my 1yr old naps; it only takes about an hour a day of "sit down" time to do schoolwork at this age. as with all babies, sometimes she doesn't nap as planned; we work around her or she "comes to school" and plays on the floor or sits on my lap while son does his work. if she's being disruptive, his "work" may become a word seek or something a little on the light side, i definitely don't try to teach him something new w/ little miss distraction in the room. so, we "do stuff" in the mornings: library time, field trips, errands, etc. then in the afternoon, dtr takes a nap and we "do school" for about an hour. it's not as daunting as you might be imagining. a couple things to keep in mind:

1) you can't mess it up! you are not going to teach her the "wrong thing". it's early, your job is to foster a love of learning and curiosity and good values. you do it already. there's no need to panic once we start using the word school.
2) there is a TON of info out there. other posts have mentioned some excellent online resources. If you are in San Antonio, check out some books on homeschooling at the library, or participate in the reading/story programs there. you will meet a lot of homeshcooling parents.
3) you don't need a curriculum, per se. you can get a good comprehensive workbook set for the "formal" stuff at any number of places. back it up with a love or reading and crafts and outings/field trips/activities, and you're set.
4) no one knows or loves your child more than you. you can do this, you're already doing it, take it to the next level.
good luck!
K.

At 4 you will be lucky to get more than 15-20 min from her at one time so it may not be worth the money for MDO or whatever you are using. She will have to be trained just like you and your daughter will to the new schedule. There are several great groups out there in this area to lend you info and support. There is a HS group in Austin and up "north" cedar/rr area. I think they are both on yahoo groups. The north one is Learning without Limits and Marilee is the organizer and she is great! I don't know as much about the Austin one except that it has upwards of 3000 pp in it, so there is a great network around here. There are several others if you start looking and asking around. Good luck.

M.

You have so many options! You didn't indicate where you live but you could start with The Homeschool Store, located on Judiway off Ella, just north of north Loop 610. They are very knowledgable and helpful and have tons of new and used curriculum. Also, search online the SETHSA sight for a support group near you and more information.

I suggest reading Cathy Duffy's 100 Top Picks...it walks you through her top picks for school curriculum for all ages...but more importantly it walks you through HOW to pick a curriculum for you and your child!!! It was amazing...It made the whole process 100 times easier for me... I also suggest paying for a membership to HSLDA which is a legal defense group for Home schoolers. They provide a WEALTH of information on laws in ANY area nationwide as well as current legislation up for vote and current organizations in your area to help you out... it is well worth the money... plus for the one membership fee if ANYTHING comes up (which, god willing it won't) you won't spend a single dime fighting it in or out of court!!...

Good luck!!!

There is tons of info out there on how to get started. We are about to start on our 3rd year of home school with my about to be 7yr old. The best book I can recommend for getting started on reading is "How to Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons". Each lesson takes about 15-20mins each day and are super easy to understand. It goes step by step giving you instructions on what to do with your child. By the end, my son was reading like a pro. As far as math, using simple math games and manipulatives depending on what your child already knows. Counting and writing #'s 1-20. Possibly starting on some simple addition using counters. Now that he reads, I use a pre made curriculum, as I work as well and don't have time to really prepare my own. We use ACE (Accelerated Christian Education) that I purchase through "School Of Tomorrow". It is very easy to use and covers all the subjects your child needs. It's perfect if you are limited on time. I agree with what someone else said, probably leaving your 18mth old with a sitter is unnecessary at this time. I feel like reading is the key to everything, and if you can take 15-20 mins to do the reading lessons maybe while the 18mth old is napping, you should be good to go. And math can be done all day long. Counting in the car. Counting out cereal or grapes, etc. Any time you are counting you are doing math.
Hope this helps! It is a huge blessing to be able to home school. I love spending this time with my kids!

There are home school groups for support. Check out meetup.com to search for homeschool groups in your area. I wouldn't try to do it alone. Good luck!

You have gotten great ideas so far. I just want to reiterate the fact that your 18-year-old will be better off with Mommy, not in daycare (unless of course, you are a negligent or abusive parent, which I doubt). You will need to teach him/her to respect the time you spend with your 4-year-old, but that is something that needs to be learned anyway, and it will be for small periods of time. As a teacher, I can tell you that the best kids are those who got to be home with a stay-at-home parent.

Hi S.,

You have already gotten a ton of advice and all of it is good. I home-pre-schooled my son last year. After a ton of research and examining our budget, I decided NOT to buy a premade curriculum. We used a great program I found on the internet at www.letteroftheweek.com. It gives you great ideas of teaching the alphabet and the sounds each letter makes through EVERY subject - math, science, social studies, art - everything. We loved it! We also referenced another great little website for social studies at www.universalpreschool.com/learning_calendar/ . That website gives you each day of the month ideas for social studies based on "today is national ___ day." Some of the ideas are really cool and some are a little offbeat. You pick and choose what suits your family.

Purchasing sonlight or any other homeschool curriculum is definitely wonderful. I just felt like until we were SURE we were going to stick with, considering our limited budget, I couldn't spend it. We have decided, with the help of my awesome in-laws, to put him in private school, afterall. But if I didn't have to work, I'd definitely continue home-schooling him.

Best of luck. I love the idea of homeschooling. I am so glad the idea is catching on and more and more people are going that route.

You need to decide how long you will be doing this and depending on your area. there are organizations that do this.

Are you planning to continue homeschooling thru-out his schooling or is this just to get ready for kinder? If you are just trying to get ready for school, I suggest finding a mother's day out program. A lot of churches have them as well as alot of daycare centers. This is what I did with both of my kids the year before they started actual school and it helped so much to gain their independance and get them used to being somewhere other than with mommy. Good luck!

S., I use the Sycamore Academy. I pay a monthly tuition and they take care of all of the administrative documentation. They are a fully-accredited program. I absolutely love them! I purchase my curriculum from their warehouse and I also receive a day-by-day schedule for the subjects. No guessing or planning on my part (as far as the textbooks go). I started when my youngest was in Kinder. My oldest went to public school Kinder and 1st Grade. I thought Kinder was pretty straight forward and didn't require alot of extra planning. Now that my sons are going to be in 3rd and 5th, it is alot harder! I think you can corporate your younger one when you are doing any kind of art lessons. They can also start learning to sit and do the ABC's. We generally start between 8:30 and 9:00 a.m. My only "big" rule is that there are no pj's in the school room. And, yes, I do have a room specifically designed for a classroom. The boys have a library, chalk board, posters, etc. I think that is really important. Up until this summer, the boys weren't allowed to be in that room unless it was school time. My advice - don't get overwhelmed. Start building your school slowly and try to see what works for you. That is the great thing about homeschooling...you only have to please yourself! I pray everything works for you and that you have a wonderful time teaching your children. Best wishes!

Don't worry about the baby. My mom homeschooled my sister and I while she had a baby/toddler she took care of. I have 4 girls ages 2,4,5,6 and having youngers really doesn't prevent me from schooling. I like the books at Mardell's and Walmart for ideas on school work (math, reading, writing, ect.) At age 4, though, there's not a lot that she will need! I get a lot free online. You can google, say, math worksheets and come up with things. Since my older girls are 5 and 6 I googled first grade entrance exam and printed that off to know the general area I needed to be teaching. They passed the tests except months of the year and coinage, which I've been working with them on over the summer and now they know those as well! So although I didn't work hard at teaching so many hours a day with so many worksheets, they still know just what they are supposed to know!

S.