How Does Homeschooling Work? A Guide for New Homeschooling Parents
What is homeschooling and how does homeschooling work? Find out how homeschooling works and discover how to get started.
Author
Lisa Luciano
Published:
March 2025
Key takeaways
- • Homeschool doesn’t have to look like a traditional school.
- • Parents don’t need special training to homeschool their child.
- • Joining a local homeschool group is a great way to get support.
Homeschooling can seem mysterious to those who have never seen it work. My husband and I grew up in the public school system, and never thought of homeschooling until we met an inspiring family who did. Then we met more homeschooling families who used different homeschooling methods but were equally successful. We decided to try it. I admit that my husband and I both had teaching degrees, which probably gave us a boost of confidence. But sometimes the formal teaching degrees stood in the way of realistic homeschooling expectations (more about that later.) The beauty of homeschooling is that it can work differently for every family, and still provide positive results. Here is an overview that may answer questions such as: “What is homeschooling?” and “How does homeschooling work?”
What is Homeschool?
Homeschool is home-based education, usually taught or managed by the parents. My early mistake was to envision homeschooling as a home version of public school. Having been a public school teacher, I wanted my home classroom to be as scheduled and predictable as my second-grade classroom had been. (I even thought of taking attendance, to make our homeschool seem “real.”) However, a quiet, orderly homeschool classroom was impossible with our young and busy family. Toddlers were potty training and babies were spitting up. There were runny noses, minor emergencies, and pots overflowing on the stovetop.
Sigh. I needed to remember our “why.” We chose homeschooling because we wanted to be the teachers of our children, infusing our love and values into their everyday education. We wanted to be together and learn together. These reminders propelled me forward. Now, many of those former toddlers have grown up, and our homeschool environment is much calmer. (With two teenagers still homeschooling, it is not always quiet, but at least they can wipe their noses!) Homeschooling doesn’t always look perfect, but I wouldn’t trade that messy, happy wonder for anything.
What is Homeschooling?
Homeschooling means home is the education headquarters, but it’s not always where learning happens. Homeschool is multifaceted and highly adaptable to each family, and it may include:
- Worksheets and book learning
- Binge-learning on what is currently interesting or relevant to the student and family
- Educational experiences at home, in the community, and beyond
- Hands-on learning, both indoors and outdoors
- Individual academic, physical, and spiritual development
- And much more
Table of contents
How does Homeschooling Work?
If you’ve plugged into a Facebook group or attended a homeschooling event, chances are you’ve heard about a local co-op you can join. If not, take the time to join a Facebook group (or some kind of online forum if you’re not on social media), or do a Google search for “homeschool co-ops near me.”
Joining a homeschooling community for weekly classes, lessons, and play dates can be a highly beneficial part of homeschooling. Your child will have the opportunity to make friends and have lots of fun while learning new things, and you’ll hopefully find a support group of moms to connect with.
Bonus step: invest in a few supplies for yourself!
Here are a few things you’ll need to homeschool 1st grade well:
- Planner
- Access to a printer and computer
- A 3-ring binder
- A few folders and notebooks
- General school supplies
- Learning games (read more about game-based learning!)
- A library card
- Coffee and chocolate
Now let’s talk about what you’ll be teaching!
Do a Little Paperwork
To get started with homeschooling, parents need to check out their state’s homeschooling guidelines. In our state, you need to tell your school district of your intent to homeschool your child by submitting a form in the fall. The best way to begin is by searching for your state’s homeschooling organization, which can give you specific steps to get started.
Start With The Basics
I recommend starting with the basics: reading, writing, and a homeschool math program. Some parents are uber-focused on finding the right curriculum, then suddenly discover that it’s not working for their child. This is not uncommon, so resist the urge to buy a huge, complete package of one curriculum before testing it for a few months. Many local homeschool groups host an annual used textbook sale.
Set the Tone and Be Consistent
While a great curriculum can be effective, it’s not always the most important aspect of homeschooling. Fostering a positive, encouraging atmosphere is key. As a parent, you can promote a pleasant, thriving learning environment. It’s also important to be consistent. Children thrive on predictable and regular routines, so make sure that homeschooling is treated as a priority.
Provide Individualized Learning
One huge advantage of homeschooling is that you can customize learning for your child. This means you can teach your child in the way they learn best, and take into account any unique learning challenges they have. You can pick from a variety of time-tested educational methods, or create your own eclectic method. Various educational methods include: traditional, classical, unit studies, and unschooling. Choose what works best for your child.
Get Support
If you are still wondering, “Homeschool how does it work?” you are catching on to the fact that there is not a one-size-fits-all answer to this question. One of the best ways to find your groove in homeschooling is by getting to know other homeschoolers, in person or online. A local homeschooling group can provide encouragement, support, resources, opportunities for socialization, and more.
Am I Qualified to Homeschool?
I’m Not a Trained Teacher
You do not need a teaching degree or a college degree to be your child’s teacher. You have two of the best qualifications to be your child’s teacher: you love your child and you know your child. I can report that my 28-year homeschooling career is littered with trial and error, success and failure, and good days and bad days. I have changed at least one thing every year of homeschooling, and every year I make mistakes and learn something new. Homeschooling your child may be the most educational, challenging, and rewarding experience you will ever have. (And, like me, you may finally learn things you never learned when you were in school!)
I Don’t Know Everything
When our homeschool entered the high school phase, I lost confidence. How could I teach chemistry, geometry, and physics when I hadn’t even taken some of these classes? I went to our state’s homeschooling conference that year and got the advice I needed: In the early years, parents are like expert teachers. As their child gets older, parents take on the role of a coach, cheering them on and helping them find the answers they need. Here’s a key fact: No teacher can teach everything. The goal is to provide a pleasant learning atmosphere, giving the children the tools they need for lifelong learning. Although we didn’t start with a homeschool mission statement, I have become fond of this one: Our goal is to equip and inspire a new generation of lifelong learners.
Is it Legal?
Perhaps you are concerned about the legal aspects of homeschooling. Each state has different homeschooling requirements. Be sure to check these out, and if you have questions, reach out to other homeschooling parents in your region through a local homeschooling group.
Conclusion
Perhaps you are concerned about the legal aspects of homeschooling. Each state has different homeschooling requirements. Be sure to check these out, and if you have questions, reach out to other homeschooling parents in your region through a local homeschooling group.
FAQs about how homeschooling works
Homeschool is simply home-based education, and it can be customized to each family’s needs. Some families purchase traditional curriculum packages with textbooks and worksheets. Other families teach what the child is interested in by using books from the library. Some families do math online, some use a textbook, and others teach math with math games. You can start the homeschooling process by checking out your state’s homeschooling requirements. It’s also highly recommended to find a local support group so you can have your unique questions answered.
Homeschooling offers customized learning and can result in an excellent educational experience. Homeschooled students often score above average on tests and exhibit high levels of leadership and maturity. Homeschooled students can take college entrance exams, attend universities, or join the military like any student who attended traditional school.
Homeschooling can be a positive learning experience for kids. When parents are committed to consistent homeschooling that is a good fit for their child, this can bring excellent results. Whether it is good or bad for kids depends much on the commitment to homeschooling and having a positive, encouraging learning environment.
One of the biggest concerns about homeschooling is the lack of socialization. Indeed, homeschooled kids do not get as much social interaction as kids who attend traditional schools. However, this can be remedied by parents who work to arrange opportunities with their child’s peers and other families.
Some people report that one of the biggest advantages of homeschooling is the way the family can bond together by learning together. Although siblings are learning different concepts appropriate to their grade level, they are interacting together all day long. In addition, the parents can spend quality time with their child and they have an inside view of what the child is learning.
About the Author
Lisa Luciano
