What’s the Right Age to Start Homeschooling?
Deciding when to start homeschooling is a big decision that’s often explored during the toddler or preschool years, due to children’s natural curiosity and the benefits of early instruction. According to the Learning Policy Institute, research suggests that instruction at the preschool age can bring lasting benefits and learning gains for children.
While there is no one-size-fits-all answer to the question of when to start homeschooling, there are a few important factors to consider when determining the right age to start homeschooling.
When to Start Homeschooling
Children start learning about the world around them the moment they’re born, and many home educators naturally foster that learning throughout their child’s early years. However, it can be harder to decide when to start adding more formal instruction to your homeschooling.
There are a few key things to consider when determining your and your child’s readiness for more structured learning. Keep in mind that readiness encompasses several aspects, including intellectual, social, emotional, and physical development. While chronological age can provide a general guideline, it should not be the sole determining factor.
Developmental Milestones
Assess your child’s developmental milestones in areas such as language, cognition, fine and gross motor skills, and social-emotional development. Look for signs of readiness in their ability to engage in formal learning activities, such as following instructions, exhibiting curiosity in learning materials, sustaining attention for longer periods of time, and asking questions about how the world around them works.
Parental Commitment
Consider your own readiness and commitment to take on the role of your child’s primary educator. Homeschooling requires time, dedication, and the willingness to continually adapt and grow as your child’s teacher. Before you start homeschooling, determine what you want your role as a home educator to look like. For example, you can take on the role of primary educator, outsource portions of that role to tutors or co-ops, or blend these options together and add in an online curriculum–the choice is entirely up to you and can be adjusted anytime.
Individual Learning Needs
One of the significant advantages of homeschooling is the ability to tailor education to meet the unique needs of each child. Some children may have specific learning challenges or excel in particular subjects, impacting their readiness for homeschooling in all or some subjects. Assessing your child’s individual learning needs can help determine the right age for them to start homeschooling or whether you dig into all subjects or begin with just a few.
State and Legal Requirements
Familiarize yourself with the homeschooling laws and regulations in your state or country. While you can begin home education as early as you’d like, most states require you to begin formal home education by a certain age. Ensure that you meet these minimum age requirements for starting home education and any specific guidelines outlined by educational authorities in your area.
7 Signs That You and Your Child Are Ready for Homeschooling
Children are naturally curious and spend most of their day learning by engaging with the world around them. If you’re wondering if your child may be ready for more intentional or formal learning, there are a few signs to look for that can guide your decision making.
1. Curiosity and Interest: Your child exhibits genuine curiosity and eagerness to learn, often engaging in self-directed activities, seeking knowledge independently, or routinely peeking in on their siblings’ homeschool lessons.
2. Self-Motivation and Independence: They demonstrate self-motivation and can do some work independently and follow simple instructions.
3. Love for Learning: Your child shows enthusiasm and enjoyment when exploring new subjects or engaging in educational activities, demonstrating a natural curiosity and desire to acquire knowledge.
4. Self-Directed Problem Solving: Your child exhibits problem-solving skills and the ability to think critically and can find solutions to some challenges independently.
5. Flexibility and Adaptability: They begin showing signs that they’re adaptable to new situations and environments and open to changes in routine. This will help your child adjust to switching between subjects and activities during more formal instruction.
6. Positive Attitude Towards Independence: Your child has a positive attitude towards being actively involved in their education and contributing to their academic growth. When your child is excited about joining you in homeschooling, starting the journey is that much more fun.
7. Supportive Parental Involvement: You, as a home educator, are prepared and committed to taking an active role in your child’s education and have the necessary time, resources, and dedication to provide guidance and support throughout their homeschooling journey.
Remember, readiness for homeschooling can vary from child to child. Trust your parental instincts and make an informed decision based on what you believe is in the best interest of your child’s educational experience.
How to Start Homeschooling Your Toddler or Preschooler
Before you begin homeschooling your toddler or preschooler, spend some time researching different homeschooling styles to determine which approach you’d like to use. Keep in mind that homeschooling offers complete flexibility–you can change or tweak your approach, goals, and techniques anytime you’d like.
It’s also important to familiarize yourself with your state’s laws, requirements, and resources for homeschooling. This can help guide the subjects you teach, record-keeping, assessments, and more.
As a home educator, you may appreciate having a designated area in your home solely for learning purposes, as it can help provide a clear boundary between learning time and other activities. It can be as simple as a small area of a room or a table where your child can keep their materials. This learning space will adjust as your child gets older and if your approach to homeschooling shifts over time. If creating a designated learning space in your home isn’t possible or you prefer moving around your home or even your community while learning, consider storing learning materials in portable bins or totes so your child can learn on the go or in a variety of locations.
Once you’ve created a learning space or approach to learning, try incorporating a flexible daily routine or schedule. Young children often appreciate structure and routine, and knowing what comes next can ease transitions. Your schedule can include dedicated time for structured learning, breaks, meals, and play. Breaks can include short periods of physical activity, such as dancing or a walk outdoors, or a nap if needed. A daily routine should factor in your lifestyle and include activities like heading to the grocery store or visiting friends. Keep in mind that some days may require you to adjust your schedule due to illness, a tired child, or having errands and other activities to complete.
When planning your routine or schedule, remember that young children have shorter attention spans, so it’s important to keep your lessons brief and varied. Break concepts into smaller, manageable parts to prevent overwhelm and maintain their interest. Additionally, switching between subjects or activities frequently helps prevent monotony and keeps their minds actively engaged.
Tips for Homeschooling Your Young Child
From Home Educator and Age of Learning Curriculum Expert, Kellie W.
- Keep an eye on developmental milestones while understanding that there is a great deal of variation in how children develop. Having a sense of what milestones are ahead lets you choose experiences and activities that can help your child reach them. It also helps you be proactive in finding the appropriate professionals and other resources to support your child if they need it.
- Maximize the experiences your child is already having through play. For example, your child is learning as they build with blocks, turn the pages in a book, sing a song, or scribble with chalk. At this early age, an activity that doesn’t necessarily look educational can actually be very valuable in building a strong foundation for academic success.
- Add exploratory experiences, like field trips and outings, into your homeschooling. Children are often always ready to start learning in these ways.
- Build on what your child is already doing. Your child is likely following their own interests as they move through their day. For example, if they’re playing with cars or teddy bears, count how many they’re using. If they enjoy looking through books, talk about what’s in the pictures or read the story aloud.
- Learning through play is important for young children. Be open to the idea that learning does not have to be structured to be effective.
- Keep a flexible mindset. Your child is changing so quickly–what they show readiness for or interest in this week may be different from the week before. Homeschooling offers personalized learning unlike any other learning environment. Take advantage of that by being ready to adapt to your child’s interests and pace.
- Build a print-rich environment where your child sees words around them. Label things in their bedroom, read to them, and make books readily available.
- While a print-rich environment is important, don’t forget to mathematize your environment too! Talk about the math you see every day, like the numbers at the grocery store or on the clock; sing songs about math; cook together and discuss concepts like “more” and “less.”
- You don’t have to homeschool alone. Consider utilizing tutors, homeschool co-ops, online curriculum, and other available resources to help as needed.
- Remember that toddlers often understand more than they can say and develop receptive language (understand what’s heard) before they develop expressive language (the ability to talk). Keep building that receptive language and talking to your child about what’s in the world around them and their day-to-day activities.