This past summer I had the opportunity to present a few workshops at Southeast Homeschool Expo in Atlanta, Georgia. Many people I chatted with explained how they were in the process of moving their children from a traditional school setting into the homeschool setting.

Though these families had unique goals and diverse teaching methods, the question they asked was the same: How do I transition my child from traditional school to homeschool?

Transitioning from traditional school to homeschool can be intimidating, but it can be done. Here are seven tips to help you and your family make a smooth move.

1. Make sure you know your state’s homeschool laws. Every state has its rules for homeschooling. Review these guidelines carefully, so you remain compliant. State requirements vary, but some states may require testing, curriculum review, and student portfolios. The HSLDA website provides information about state regulations.

2. Don’t try to recreate school at home. Classroom lessons are structured for mass presentation. Homeschool lessons are formatted for personalized instruction, so take the time to create the comfortable atmosphere and reasonable schedule that fosters learning. School on the sofa, in the park, or at the library. You don’t need an official school room for teaching.

3. Take time to adjust. Fight the urge to nosedive into every suspect right away. If you do, you risk burnout and discouragement. Take time to adjust to this new educational experience by introducing subjects little by little. Consider just doing math and literature for the first week, then adding additional subjects in future weeks.

4. Don’t rush your curriculum choices. There are many curriculum choices available, so take time to research the ones that appeal to you. Download curriculum samples and question fellow homeschoolers about their curriculum choices. Be sure to sure to consider your family’s needs as well.

5. Find your child’s learning style. Save time and energy by taking time to discover your child’s learning style. Is your child a visual, auditory, tactile, or combination learner? Once you determine how your child learns, you can select appropriate curriculum and create effective and appealing lessons and activities. My favorite resource on student learning styles is The Way They Learn by Cynthia Tobias.

6. Pace yourself. Homeschooling is not a race, so don’t try to imitate other homeschooling families. Their homeschool will look much different than yours because their children are not your children. Always remember to work at a pace that best suits the needs of your child.

7. Don’t be hard on yourself. You are doing something amazing, inspiring, life-changing, and challenging. From time to time, you’ll encounter a challenge that may feel overwhelming. When challenges come, face them and keep on moving. Do not beat yourself up about what you did or did not do. Do not ruin your day by rehashing what did or did not happen. Give yourself lots of space and grace!

And here’s an additional thought…

Enjoy yourself! Homeschooling is a wonderful blessing you should enjoy. Have fun teaching and learning alongside your children. Make marvelous memories you’ll all look back on fondly.

Have you moved a child from traditional school into the homeschool? If so, let us know how things went. Would you offer any additional advice? Share your thoughts in the comments below and consider sharing this post with a mom who is making the transition from the traditional school to homeschool.

Not everyone has a large space for homeschooling. Some homeschool moms wonder if it’s really possible to homeschool effectively in a small space. Here’s some good news. It can be done! Click on the video below to learn how.

7 Tips for Homeschooling in a Small Space:

1. Be realistic.
2. Purge.
3. Use portable storage.
4. Spread out.
5. Think double duty.
6. Clean up daily.
7. Use online resources.

Now that you’ve watched the video, check out these storage photos from our household.

Thorpe Family Storage Solutions

This is a picture of my home’s foyer. The green chair is a great place for the kids to sit while putting on their shoes, but it’s also an excellent storage space. The seat cushion flips up and the school supplies can be tucked inside. Materials are hidden from view and do not take up valuable space.

Here’s a photo of the ottoman in our family room. It’s comfy and pretty, but it also contains a storage compartment. It’s another great place to keep things hidden.

Our storage bench serves a dual purpose. There’s seating at the top and roomy storage bins underneath. This is where we keep board games and math manipulatives. You can even see our large plastic storage bins next to the bench.

A few years ago, I purchased this table from the Goodwill Store. The open space under the tabletop is perfect for stacking notebooks and textbooks. On either side of the table, there are two doors that swing open for additional storage.

Unfortunately, Staples no longer sells the amazing swivel storage bin shown. The bin spin all the way around and has plenty of storage for school supplies of any size.

Additional Storage Ideas?

Do you have ideas for homeschooling in a small space? If so, please leave a comment. I would love to read your suggestions and I know other homeschool moms would too!

This question is frequently asked in the African-American Homeschool Moms Facebook group. Is it possible for a mom to work and homeschool successfully?  Moms can work and homeschool, but there is not a singular way to do so. The work/homeschool method will vary among families.

My dear friend Keisha is a working homeschool mom, so I asked her if she’d be willing to sit down and chat with me about her work/homeschool experience. Keisha agreed to talk with me and I’m happy to share our conversation with you.

Keisha is just one of many moms who proves it is possible to work and homeschool! She finds success by through advance planning and family support. Are you a working homeschool mom? If so, do you have any tips or suggestions? We’d love for you to leave a comment below!

 

In July, I spoke at the Southeast Homeschool Expo down in Atlanta, Georgia. While there, I served on a Homeschool Q and A panel alongside three other moms. One popular question for panel members was How can I keep my young children engaged while schooling older children?

One panel member recommended using fun hands-on activities little ones could enjoy for a good length of time. This suggestion immediately reminded me of one of my tricks I used to keep my young girls actively engaged: the Play Dough Activity Bin.

Since my girls loved Play Dough and used so much of it, I started to make my own. Once I mastered the basic Play Dough recipe, I decided to get a little “extra”.  I added vibrant colors, scented the dough with essential oils, and added glitter. Our colorful, glittery, well scented homemade doughs were a huge hit.

The girls’ friends loved our homemade dough so much that I started giving it as birthday gifts. I’d store the dough inside Dollar Tree containers, place the containers inside a decorative birthday bag, and add a bag of plastic kid-friendly cookie cutters. Instant homemade gift!

Preparing homemade Play Dough is easy.  I always prepare a double batch, split it into sections, spruce it up, and store it. If the dough stays covered and remains clean, it can last several weeks. An added benefit of making homemade dough is that you know exactly what’s in it.

Ready to try it? Here’s the tried and true recipe we use.

Homemade Play Dough

• 3 cups water
• 1½ cups salt
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 6 teaspoons Cream of Tartar
• 3 cups water
• 3 tablespoons oil
• optional add ins (food coloring, glitter, and essential oil of your choice)

Add water and salt to a large pot. Place the pot over medium heat and stir until the salt dissolves. Add the remaining ingredients to the pot. Stir constantly until a ball forms and the dough pulls away from the sides. Remove the dough from the pot and knead it until the texture matches Play Dough consistency, usually 1-2 minutes.

Note: In order to get the consistency just right, I usually have to add a bit more flour to the mat while kneading the dough. I also use Wilton Cake Gels to achieve the bright colors my daughter loves. The cake gels stain, so use plastic gloves while kneading and protect countertops while working.

Homemade Play Dough is fun to play with. Have you ever made some for your kids?