“Can I homeschool my kids if I’m not a teacher?”
This is one of the most common questions we hear when families are beginning to research homeschooling. The short answer? YES! No one is more qualified to teach your kids than the parent who knows their strengths & weaknesses and has a vested interest in their future success.
That’s you, right?
Right.
Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about taking the leap into homeschooling with confidence!
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What Are the Requirements for Homeschool Teachers?
In the United States, there are currently no special certifications or trainings required for parents who plan to homeschool their kids. Some states do require that parents hold a high school diploma or GED, and you can find your state’s requirements here.
If you’re visiting this site from outside the United States, check out international guideline here.
But just because it’s not required doesn’t mean you can’t take courses or classes on how to homeschool! Some parents appreciate guidance on time management, how to choose curriculum, or strategies for teaching kids with dyslexia, autism, or ADHD.
If I Don’t Have to Be A Teacher, What Qualifies Me to Homeschool My Kids?
Honestly? Your love for them. Your desire to see them succeed. The fact that you know better than anyone else their strengths and weaknesses. No one else on earth has the vested interest in your children that YOU do. We know you’re their biggest cheerleader & encourager – you can be their teacher, too!
Most homeschool curriculum options will come with lessons already planned out. Many have the exact script for the teacher (you) to read and step-by-step instructions to follow! All you have to do is stick to the plan (or not! if something isn’t clicking for your kids, it’s OK to dump it and find something better).
As a homeschool family, you get to decide which worldviews will shape your children’s education. Your personal convictions and priorities will never be at odds with what they are learning in school.
And your kids won’t fall through the cracks of a system that is too large to cater to individual students’ needs. If they require more time to master a concept, you can go slowly & they won’t fall behind! If they need to skip a grade level in Language Arts, you can easily do it without jumping through hoops to get an IEP.
Many parents are surprised to learn that a typical homeschool day rarely takes more than 3-4 hours per day in elementary and middle school, allowing kids more free time for extracurriculars, volunteering, and studying their own interests.
Homeschooling is not public school at home. It’s embracing the fact that all of life is a learning opportunity and making sure we don’t put our kids in a box when they could be exploring the world.
What is A Parent’s Role as Homeschool Teacher?
One of the best things about homeschooling is that we’re not cramming their heads with information so we can teach to the test. We’re teaching kids how to learn.
The early elementary years require the most hands-on instruction time (especially when they’re learning how to read), but as kids grow they become more and more independent.
By middle school, students are largely entirely self-paced and self-guided. You’re there to answer questions and help troubleshoot when they hit a snag.
Don’t let high school intimidate you, either! You’re not going to be teaching Chemistry and Calculus – you’ll be helping them find the right resources so they can teach themselves. You provide the books, videos, co-ops, and tutors, but the responsibility to learn belongs to the student.
Public school teachers need to learn classroom control, discipline techniques, and how to teach to ever-changing standards.
Homeschool parents don’t need any of that! You already know how to best discipline your kids, and as a parent educator, YOU get to decide what you want them to learn.
Not the federal government, state regulations, or local school board. Not a 22-year-old fresh out of college trying to wrangle 25 kindergartners.
Nobody but you!
Looking for Christian homeschool curriculum options? Here are some of our favorites:
Abeka | Full curriculum for K-12
Christianbook | The widest selection of homeschool curriculum on the internet!
Notgrass History | Elementary, Middle School & High School
Apologia Math & Science | Elementary, Middle School & High School
The Good & the Beautiful | Full Elementary & Middle School Curriculum, High School Language Arts
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