A person wrote in, “How hard is it to transition to homeschool?” Here’s a short two-minute answer:
Homeschool Transitions
Homeschool transitions can be difficult for everyone involved. They can also be a stress reliever if you’re moving from a situation that was filled with anxiety. There are a few simple actions you can take to make the transition go easier.
Share the Homeschool Plan
One area of struggle is deciding how far in advance to tell your child. It’s a balancing act; tell them far enough in advance that they are not surprised but not so far in advance that they get anxious or develop habits. The conversation doesn’t have to be detailed or huge, but it’s easiest to catch your child at a quiet moment where both of you have enough time to talk uninterrupted. They’ll want to know when the change will happen and probably have other questions, such as, “What about my friends?” Which leads us to the next action.
Maintain Friendships after Homeschooling
Just because you’re changing your schooling situation doesn’t mean your child needs to leave their friends! Keeping them is a great way to maintain stability outside of the changes you are making. Telling friends what’s happening can be exciting and lead to a healthy transition when the day arrives.
Have Your Child Help with Homeschooling
Leading up to the day of the change to homeschooling can go a lot easier if your child is involved in deciding what you are going to do. They will have some ideas and can get excited with the possibility of new areas to study. It will reduce surprises when you get into your routine. Which brings us to the last area to help with transition; routine.
Start a Homeschool Routine
Routines lead to excellence. When getting into the transition to homeschool, start thinking about your routine. It doesn’t have to be etched in stone (it should be written in pencil). It will evolve, but it is the start of a habit. That habit becomes the cornerstone of your homeschool day and teaches your child how to organize their life for success.
A transition to homeschool can be unnerving but can be managed with just a few simple actions. If you are thinking about starting homeschooling, think about what actions you can take today!
