We are tempted to jump in with both feet, but as you get started, another key to success is to start homeschooling gradually. Remember this is a marathon, not a sprint, and we are here to win at homeschool!
Now that you are ready to execute the plan, it can be tempting to jump in headfirst. In this race, however, slow and steady will win in the end, as you will have attitudes to adjust, kinks to work out, and new habits to form. Make sure to start your homeschool off gradually.
The most challenging part of starting out homeschooling is to start slowly. We can get so excited and eager to jump in with ALL of the ideas flowing at once. Or perhaps there is the feeling of falling behind or wasting time and wanting to “catch up.” It can be challenging to pace ourselves or be realistic about how much to fit into one day.
Here are some ways to avoid burnout or overwhelm by going too quickly or trying to pack in too much.
Setting Priorities in Your Homeschool
Slowly introduce your “rocks”, starting with the largest ones (biggest priority), and gradually adding from there in the next few days/weeks. (See Step 7 on how to set priorities and plan your homeschool)
Example:
Week 1: do just the Big Rocks
Week 2: add one, a couple, or all of your “medium rocks”, depending on your workload.
Week 3: if your schedule allows, sprinkle in some of the “pebbles”, or these may show up naturally.
STOP when overwhelm starts to set in and go back one step.
Remember you are creating a habit of making academic learning a part of your everyday routine. The longer you home educate, the more you will realize how seamless education and life can be. They intertwine constantly, and so often “doing school” means living life. Reading books, creating a story, learning to draw something new, earning and spending money, learning a new life skill, following interests and rabbit trails, taking time to observe the stars at night or looking at a leaf up close. It means patience and slowing down, not rushing to cram it all in.
Oftentimes learning is unplanned, and these are the lessons that stick the best and have the most impact, because they were organic and memorable, not contrived in a certain location at a certain time.
*Remember, your job is to teach them How to Learn, not What to Learn! We are not filling buckets, we are launching life-learners.
Find Your Own Rhythm
Morning vs Afternoon, during nap, or after work
Tidal Schooling or doing 6-8 week “sprints” then a week off
Year round school, or “traditional” with summers off
Unit studies or full term courses
Morning Time or Morning Basket, subjects as a group or separate
Screen time included or completely separate
Consistent location for structure or mix it up because your family needs variety
So many things to consider but the best part of homeschool is that it can be catered to your own unique family. Go with your families needs, natural tendencies and preferences. No two homeschools will look alike, just how it should be.
Easy Plus One
When in doubt, do what comes easy and add just one more thing. When starting a new schedule, new curriculum, adding new skills can be overwhelming.
Example:
If you make reading aloud a habit, keep it simple and just read. Tack it onto an existing habit such as snack time or the bedtime routine. When the habit becomes easy and natural, try introducing some questions after you are done reading to get a feel for comprehension or spur a discussion.
