While homeschooling is a personal choice and has a huge amount of flexibility built in to the system, you still need to follow some basic steps to be successful. Here is a list of some pertinent question you need to answer in order to comply with these steps.
Step 1 : Are you homeschooling legally?
Each state has its own rules and regulations regarding homeschooling. Should you be shifting abroad you will need to find out the legal aspects regarding homeschool education in that country as well. No one wants to be on the wrong side of the law for teaching their kids at home, so ensure you comply with the legal requirements.
Step 2: What curriculum and resources are you using?
While some families swing their way through without any formal curriculum, most find a formal curriculum helpful at least in the initial years of homeschooling. So pick out the one you intend to use in your homeschooling class. Get something in your budget which has great recommendations from actual users.
Step 3 : How organized are you and your material?
Just as you would organize everything that you required if you were going to cook a special dish, you need to organize all your material before you start homeschooling classes. Your schedules, subject wise material and worksheets all need to be ready to go. Think about everything you will need to teach a class and have it ready. You may not use everything everytime but at least you will have the satisfaction of knowing that it is available whenever you need it.
Step 4 : Have you set goals for your child and a plan to help them achieve them?
Examine the skill set of your child at the beginning of the academic year and think of what all you want the child to learn by the end of the homeschooling year. These become your end goals. Now work out a plan that will help your child meet these goals.
Step 5: Do you have a support system?
There will be times when you get stuck: you may be unwell, your study material may not be adequate, your experience may not be enough. No matter what the situation, you need a support system that can step in and help you at a moment’s notice. Spend some time setting it up before you begin homeschooling and it will save you many hassles at a later date.
