You've finally taken the leap and are ready to start homeschooling. The only question is how do you start? Don't be intimidated by the thought of starting a homeschool. You don't need a lot of expensive tools to homeschool, especially if your child is in kindergarten. To get started you will need to do three basic things: organize your home and homeschool, organize a planner for your curriculum and organize a schedule for yourself.

Many parents will find the most important aspect of running a homeschool is organization! There are many books and places on the Internet that will help you find the right forms to plan your schedule. There may be a few bumps in the road until you find a schedule that works for you. Starting a homeschool may seem overwhelming at first but the benefits outweigh the risks.

The number one thing parents seem to have trouble with is organizing the homeschool. You will need a central location to keep all of your school supplies so that you know where they are when you need them. A great way to store these items is a shelf with storage bins or a large cabinet that has four or five shelves. Additionally you will need a file cabinet to keep your child's work so you will be ready when record check time comes.

The rest of the supplies that you will need to keep you organized include a calendar with plenty of room to write, a day planner if you have so many activities that you can't keep track of them and finally a school planner for all of your child's curriculum information and activities. Many of the items you will need are easily found at large retail stores and are inexpensive. The planner for your curriculum is your guidebook to success. If you think you are overwhelmed now, imagine a month from now when you have no idea what you've done or what you should do next.

Running a homeschool requires planning, and plenty of it. Your teaching style may be eclectic but don't be sloppy when it comes to organizing your child's curriculum. As for buying the curriculum, don't buy it until you need it. Packaged curriculums are fine if you think you can't come up with your own ideas or you are new to the homeschooling routine. Many parents find that as they continue the homeschooling program year after year they become more comfortable with creating their own curriculums.

Schedule time for yourself and time for the whole family. Many new homeschooling parents forget to schedule time for other things when they are starting a homeschool. Purchase a planner or download one from the Internet to help you schedule effectively. Include your child's commitments, your family's activities and other simple things like grocery shopping and pampering yourself. Don't let yourself be consumed by homeschooling. Careful planning and organizing is the key to your child's homeschooling success and it will also help you keep your sanity.

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Dr. J. Elisha Burke

Editor, Homeschool Success Newsletter

jeb@homeschooltutorpro.com

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