Homeschool Helper with Charisse Van Horn

When you first begin homeschooling, you may feel overwhelmed with the task that you have just set out upon, and you should!  Honestly, if anyone tells you that homeschooling is a piece of cake, don’t believe them.  Homeschooling takes lots of dedication, plenty of preparation, lots of self-discipline, and you must set goals and ensure that your children consistently meet those goals.  However, one of the first decisions that you will make is to choose from the various homeschool methods and find a style that is best for your family.

There are a number of different homeschool methods, and chances are that you may test out a number of these homeschool methods before you find the style that works best for your family as well as your child’s particular learning style.

Here are the most popular homeschool methods.

•  Traditional Text Book/Curriculum
• Classical
• Charlotte Mason
• Eclectic
• Waldorf
• Montessori
• Unschooling
• Unit Studies
• Computer Based
• Distance Learning
• Literature (C.M. Living Books)
• Notebooking
• Lapbooking
• Self Directed (Robinson Curriculum)
• Satellite or Umbrella School
• Attending Public School with a Homeschooling Option

Yes, you can Homeschool!

Homeschooling gives freedom to everyone involved. First, children have the freedom to learn at their own rate and in a manner that works best for them, and parents have the freedom to educate their children according to the method that they feel is best. However, it is imperative that homeschooling parents take the time to ensure that their homeschool freedom is protected by the government. If you are a homeschooling parent, I highly recommend joining your local homeschool support group, along with the HSLDA (Homeschool Legal Defense Association) to ensure that you are kept up-to-date with the latest trends in homeschool freedom and other pertinent issues.

Hi, my name is Charisse and I am excited to welcome you to Homeschool Helper.  I began homeschooling 17 years ago and am currently homeschooling the two youngest of eight children.  I love homeschooling and feel that it is the best way to encourage children to develop their own unique skills.  In this blog I will discuss various homeschool methods, help show you the best places to find free homeschooling curriculum on the web, and even clue you in on great homeschool freebies that will help you save money while you continue to home educate your children.  There are so many wonderful benefits to homeschooling, but there is no doubt that one of the most important factors regarding homeschooling is to stay calm and relaxed.  You must take the time to carefully plan your curriculum and ensure that you approach every day teaching with a clear vision of the goals that you wish to accomplish.  As long as you keep those ideals in mind, you’ll reach your goals and will be rewarded with children who are thriving both educationally and socially.