Homeschooling Questions and Answers: When Should I Start Homeschooling?

Question: My child is 2 years old, they will be 3 in October. At what age should I start homeschooling?

Answer: To ask the question, when should I start homeschooling, suggests that you are not already teaching your child. Surely, you are. Education starts from the moment the child is born. By talking to them, you teach them how to speak. By holding and caressing them, you teach them how to love. By feeding them you teach them how to eat. By reading to them, you give them a desire to read. There is so much learning that occurs in the first few years of a child's life. As a new parent, and future homeschoolers, there really isn't a start or stop date. The goal is to love them and teach them in everything you do.

However, as far at the board of education is concerned, there is a start and stop date for homeschooling. Each state has laws that dictate the ages that a child should be actively engaged in education which can start as early as 5 and as late as 17 or 18. You need to check your states education and homeschooling laws to find out. At this point, you will need to start filling out homeschool paperwork such as and Intent to Homeschool letter or Attendance Forms as your state dictates. You will also want to start keeping track of what your child is learning through formal reports (if required) or journals, for your own records.

When it comes to actively teaching your child math, reading and other subjects, you should watch for readiness. Do they enjoy counting and reciting their ABC's? Do they track (follow the words across the page) when you are reading with them? Do they want to "play school"? At this time, it is time to get them reading and doing simple math and phonics. Once they can add, subtract, and are showing that they are in the early stages of reading, a homeschool curriculum may be in order. Use Alphabet picture books. Listen to music, and watch educational shows.

Most importantly, allow them to explore the world around them, and expose them lots experiences, places, and things. They will show you what they are ready for. You might realize that age the age of three, your child is beginning to read, or they may be able to play educational software games on the computer at 18 months. On the other hand, they may want to play with their toes until they are four, and end up being natural athletes. Let the child's behavior, likes and dislikes lead you. Whatever you do, don't worry about a formal education for someone who is still in diapers. You can burn yourself and the child out before you even get started.