National Home Education Network

New Homeschoolers

 Families' homeschooling journeys start in all different ways.  Situations are so unique. If your child is in a crisis at school, your choices will be a lot different from someone who's child is in the middle of a cross-country move. Nevertheless, some points are pertinent to everyone.  You just might complete them in a different order.

NHEN is here to help you figure out your own path. Listen to what others suggest. Read the tabs below.  Breathe. You can do this.


You will find more articles in the NHEN Library. But read the tabs below, including the articles in each tab. I'm sure this will help you along your way.
Learn about Learning

 Take some time to think about what kind of education you want for your children. What is important to you? How do your children learn best? Educate yourself about learning styles. There are many different ways to homeschool; there is no need to create a miniature classroom in your home. Instead, spend some time reading about homeschooling styles and methods and consider what you think will work well for you and your children. We strongly advise against spending a lot of money on curriculum materials at the beginning of your homeschooling journey. Try to borrow materials or buy them used, at first, so that you can be flexible and experiment freely with a wide variety of options.


Words of Advice
NHEN compiled advice from veteran homeschoolers around the country. Think of it as sitting around and chatting with friends who are happy to share their experience and knowledge.

Learn About Learning... The First Steps in Homeschooling

How to create a learning environment filled with resources that honor your child's learning styles, abilities and level of understanding and encourages deep learning that is motivated from a sincere interest. This is an article you will want to read over and over again.


Multiple Intelligences Information
This site is a wonderful place to learn about Howard Gardner's Multiple Intelligences work. It not only gives a good overview, includes an interview with Howard Gardner, and gives specific information, but it even has many internet links categorized specifically by which of the multiple intelligences they support.
Understand the Legalities

Become comfortably familiar with the legal aspects of homeschooling in your state. It IS legal in every state, but regulations vary tremendously from state to state. Even within a state there may be various options available. Our best advice is that you start by reading the brief overview of state-level information provided by NHEN, and then search out more in-depth coverage through the state contacts we provide. We suggest that you not rely on any one source for your legal information. Ask a lot of questions of a variety of people and organizations. Don't become discouraged; remember, thousands of families are very happily homeschooling in every state. You can do it, too.


NHEN's States At-A-Glance will help you find out more about the legalities in your state by looking at page.


NHEN Legal webpage offers an FAQ on Home Education Regulations as well as a list of questions new homeschoolers might find useful when asking about legal issues.
Make Contact

 Make contact with other homeschoolers in your area. They are your best source of accurate information, advice, and support. Your children will develop friendships and so will you! Being able to find other children with similar interests will really help your child - and you won't be limited to only "age-mates."


Find out more about reaching other homeschoolers in your state by looking at NHEN's States At A Glance page.


What's a Support Group Anyway?
"Homeschool support groups, like clouds, take many shapes and forms, each group changing to meet the needs of its members." Learn about homeschooling  support groups, how to find one and how to maximize your enjoyment of it.


I Sought, I Found, I Joined; Now What?
You did it! You made the decision to homeschool, and you found other homeschoolers to help enrich your homeschooling experience. Great! But, for some reason, you still feel like you're always on the periphery of the group. This article helps you figure out how to get the support you came for.


Thinking of Attending a Homeschool Conference?

This article offers the voices of many different homeschoolers explaining what they have found to be the most enjoyable and useful aspects of conference attendance.


Why Go to a Homeschool Conference?
Who needs conferences? Why bother? What good are they anyway? These and many other questions are answered in this article which describes some of the wonderful benefits of attending a homeschooling conference.
    Socialization

     
    The Truth about Homeschooling and Socialization
    From this article: "It's time for homeschoolers to tell the truth about "socialization." It is a problem! The phone never stops ringing, the teenager's email has crashed the computer, and the front yard is patches of dandelions and dirt because there are always kids out there socializing!"


    Dispelling Myths about Homeschooling and Socialization
    This article responds to many common myths about homeschooling, including the myth that "Homeschooled children are lacking in opportunities for social interaction," and that "Homeschooled kids lack real world experience."

    How to Answer the Socialization Question Once and for All
    "Socialization" is the buzz-word among the Official Homeschool Nay-Sayers Society.  This essay urges us to stop telling others about all the opportunities our kids have for "socialization" and start gently exposing them to the real issue - a lot of what kids learn from other kids in social situations is simply living according to "The Law of the Jungle." And wouldn't we really prefer a higher set of laws to follow?

    Purchase Wisely

     Homeschoolers across the country caution against spending a lot of money on curriculum that first year. We are so conditioned to believe that if it's expensive, it must be good. And that's simply not always the case. Talking to other homeschoolers about what works and what doesn't. Identifying what might work best with YOUR child (which might be a lot different from the child sitting next to him), is your best solution. Remember, start with the child, not the curriculum!


    Homeschooling Resources
    In this article, Lillian Jones advises us on how to think about what resources we really need when starting out as a new homeschooler. Truly valuable words of wisdom.
    Online Support

    It's difficult to figure out which email lists and websites you should pay attention to.  Trial and error will often help you find where you fit. Listen to what other homeschooling parents say on the lists.  Find others online who are willing to listen to your questions and help you, as opposed to simply pushing their own style or method.  Also, be wary of those who want to sell you products. NHEN is a volunteer-run organization - there are many homeschooling parents willing to help you because someone once helped them.


    Email lists, blogs, websites, and message boards can provide a wealth of online information!
    Use Your Community

    Your community is your biggest resource! And tapping your children into all it has to offer could be the best thing you could ever do educationally.  Children in schools have to read about road signs, famous paintings, animals, and plants. They might get one field trip per semester out into the community. Homeschooled children have a completely different opportunity.  Each day could bring real life experiences talking with firemen or learning first-hand at a nature center.  Homeschooling allows your children to be "in the real world" from day one - not wait until they graduate at 18.


    Out and About
    After 17 years of homeschooling, Sue Patterson shares how her family discovered adventures by jumping into the local community.
    Have Fun

    Homeschooling should be a warm and wonderful family experience. If something is not working, make a change. If you have recently taken your children out of school, remember that you and your children may need a chance to "deschool."
    Creating a "fun" environment works in a variety of ways. Research shows that when children are happy and free from worries, they learn more.  You will have a lot more opportunities to guide your children if you are having fun right along side them.

    Need More Reassurance?


    Homeschoolers from all over the country have shared their personal stories to help you see how homeschooling worked for their families.  Click here if you're still

    Considering Homeschooling.