When Jessica Turner from
Spotsylvania County started homeschooling her two children in August 2023, she
found herself navigating a wealth of information. From multiple curricula to
diverse homeschooling methods, Turner experienced a challenge many new
homeschool parents face: which curriculum is the right fit for us?
Selecting the right
curriculum can feel daunting and overwhelming for any new homeschool parent,
leaving families tempted to quickly dive in. With so much information at our
fingertips, it’s hard to know where to even begin.
Sarah Blunkosky, founder
and integrative learning coach at Learning Heroine LLC (Kinattain) in
Fredericksburg, specializes in helping families build a roadmap for home
education and understands this challenge well. Her advice? Don’t rush into
purchasing a curriculum.
“There are so many good
math curricula, so many good writing programs. You can freeze with choice,”
says Blunkosky. “The challenge is a lot of families rush in and drop a lot of
money on a program…I think something to remember is that you don’t have to buy
brand new just because you’re new at something.”
A homeschool parent
herself, Blunkosky further suggests parents first consider their child’s
learning style as well as their parenting methods when first choosing a
curriculum.
“One kid’s capacity
to sit still is another kid’s torture. So that’s something to think about,” she
explains. “Checking in with what’s going on sensory-wise, like whether your
child is getting enough movement? Is your child able to soothe themselves?…that’s
the beauty of homeschooling, as you can cater to each child’s individual
needs.”
The Turner family embraced
this approach as the mother of two carefully selected educational materials
that aligned not only with her family’s educational goals but also with their
personal and family values.
“I wanted a
biblical-based curriculum,” Turner explains. “Also, I’m not a teacher
by trade, so I wanted something that was open and go, and self-explanatory.
This way, there wasn’t much lesson planning on my part since I also work
part-time.”
However, the transition to
homeschooling wasn’t without its challenges. While Turner’s daughter,
Charlotte, 10, was a textbook student, her son, Levi, 8, struggled to adapt to
the new educational method. She says he thrived in a more interactive
and dynamic setting, and struggled with the change in routine and expectations.
“Getting him to take it seriously
even though we’re home was a challenge,” says Turner. “It was kind of just
about me establishing those boundaries at first.”
However, Turner says she
remained open to adjusting her approach based on her children’s needs and
responses. For instance, she considered switching their language arts
curriculum when she noticed her children weren’t as engaged as she hoped.
“Just because
you start with one curriculum doesn’t mean you have to stick with it
forever…They were doing the work, checking the box, but I felt like I was
losing them in the process and that they weren’t actually retaining it.” Turner
says.
What works for one family
might not work for another, but no matter where you are in your homeschooling
journey, Blunkosky reminds parents to be patient and to take the time to adapt
to their new educational approach.
“Homeschooling can
feel overwhelming…It took me three years to feel at ease with homeschooling. So,
give yourself a couple of years to adapt and get used to this very new thing,”
Blunkosky says.
Even with the challenges
homeschooling can bring, one of the key advantages is the ability to create a
flexible learning environment both inside and outside of the home. The Turner
family initially set up a dedicated schoolroom but soon found that the children
preferred doing their work in more casual settings, like on the floor or at the
kitchen table. Homeschooling also allows them to incorporate travel and
real-world experiences into their education, and she encourages other families
to do the same.
“[Homeschooling] is
not going to look like traditional school, so stop trying to put that pressure
on yourself,” says Turner. “The beauty of homeschooling is that you can do it
wherever and whenever it suits your family. Take advantage of the opportunity
to travel and have those experiences with your kids that you might not
otherwise have because you’re bound to a normal school schedule.”
Despite some bumps along
the way, Turner found that homeschooling brought her family closer together.
“There’s so much more
to gain from homeschooling than just the academic part,” says Turner. “My kids
and I have grown closer through it, and we’re closer as a family just from
having so much more time together.All in all, I’m really grateful for these
times with them.”
For parents considering
homeschooling, Turner offers these encouraging words:
“I always said I
couldn’t do it, and here we are, going into our second year,” she says. “You
don’t have to be a teacher to take it on. We’re all learning together.”
SIDE
BAR:
5 Tips
for Choosing the Right Curriculum for Your Child
1. Understand Your Child’s
Learning Style
Take time to observe how your child learns best. Do they
prefer hands-on projects, visual aids, or listening to stories? Understanding
your child’s learning style will help you choose the right curriculum and
teaching methods.
2. Match Your Homeschool Style with Your Parenting Style
Your homeschool approach should complement your parenting
style. Whether you prefer a structured schedule or a more relaxed approach,
align your homeschooling methods with your natural parenting style for a
harmonious and effective learning environment.
3. Do Your Research
Start your research at the library, a valuable, free
resource for homeschooling families. Most reference librarians can help you
find books, resources, materials, and even curricula that match your child’s
interests.
4. Be Flexible and Don’t Be Afraid to Switch It Up
Flexibility is one of the main advantages of homeschooling.
If something isn’t working, don’t be afraid to change it. Whether it’s the
curriculum, the teaching method, or the daily schedule, find what works best
for your family.
5. Give Yourself Time
Homeschooling is a significant change, and it takes time to
adjust. Don’t expect everything to fall into place immediately. Give yourself
and your child time and space to adapt to this new way of learning.
