Here are some suggestions to help you get started:Agree together as husband and wife on your decision to homeschool.Research home education by reading one or two basic home education books, such as Christopher Klicka's The Right Choice. Also meet and visit with more experienced homeschoolers in your church or at a local support group and make an effort to attend MACHS annual homeschool conference.Contact MACHS, your provincial homeschool organization, to learn of local support groups, events, and publications as well as Manitoba's laws governing home education.Make arrangements to comply with…

Mike Farris, one of North America's homeschooling pioneers predicts that the return to classical education in terms of curriculum content will increase dramatically. High tech lessons in classical languages and great books are on-line today and Farris projects that "easy to use" programs will emerge on the market. The number one rule of home education curriculum will be "Is it easy for mom to use?" Other trends according to Farris include apprenticeship in lieu of university training and increased involvement in the political process on behalf of homeschooling families.  …

Several institutions throughout North America have welcomed home-educated student. "Many of these schools actively recruit home-educated graduates because of their maturity, independent thinking skills, creativity, and extensive academic preparation," says Inge Cannon, executive director of Education PLUS.In preparation for university or college entrance or any vocational training program, parents should prepare a thorough transcript of high school level work, award a diploma, and specify and actual high school graduation date. Occasionally GED tests may be required by a college or employer for additional verification. MACHS hosts an annual graduation recognition…

Homeschooling is especially suited to the needs of children who are learning disabled, ADD or ADHD, autistic, inexplicably academically slow, who have chronic illnesses, or who are physically limited or handicapped. Many parents are realizing that individually tailored curricula, flexibility, one-to-one teaching, and the time-efficient nature of homeschooling contribute to making homeschooling an excellent choice for their youngsters who have special needs. Research supports their conviction.       

Homeschooling is also growing quickly as the educational practice of choice for parents of children who are particularly gifted or talented. With homeschooling, a student’s education can be customized so that he or she can excel at whatever pace is appropriate. The gifted child or youth can quickly become competent in the basics, and then accelerate, through instruction by special tutors or mentors, in any area of special giftedness or interest such as science, history, painting, geography, or instrumental music.       

The following are some common difficulties along with some suggested solutions.Lack of confidence. At first you may lack confidence in choosing materials and methods, doubting your ability to teach. With experience, you will gain confidence.Fear of being unable to work with your own children. Parents who do not have their children's respect will have trouble getting their cooperation. Gaining their respect through proper relationships, discipline, training, and example should be the parents' top priority, whether or not they are homeschooling. Homeschooling can provide the incentive and optimum setting to accomplish…

Subjects such as Bible, science, history, and literature can be taught to several grade levels of children together. Lessons can be presented in an amplified manner with explanations that enable all children to understand. Older students can do much of their work independently while younger ones receive necessary tutoring in basic skills.     

Homeschooling requires a time commitment, but not as much as you might expect. One-to-one tutoring is more efficient than classroom instruction and thus takes less time. Time requirements vary according to the methods used, the ages of the children, and how many children are being taught. Academic instruction might begin with one-half to one hour for the early grades and work up to a few hours of instruction and/or independent study for upper grades. Most correspondence courses state that their work can be completed in four or five hours per…

There is no one right way to homeschool. There is no one right method or curriculum. As an artist has at his disposal an entire palette of colors to mix and use, so a home educator has a vast array of effective methods from which to choose. These choices may be based on:The ages of the children.The subject matter being taught.The number of children that you are teaching.The learning styles your children find most effective.The time you have available to prepare and teach material.The varying abilities or special needs of…

Fine materials developed for Christian and private schools are available to home educators. With the huge growth of the homeschool movement new materials are also being developed or adapted especially for use in home teaching.These materials may be obtained in several basic ways:You may order texts and teaching aids directly from the publishers or through mail-order companies. Homeschool magazines regularly present advertisements of numerous suppliers of quality teaching materials.A home extension program offered through a local Christian school or church can provide teaching materials, testing and counseling. Materials, testing and…

The issue of “socialization” is quite possibly the most misunderstood aspect of homeschooling. Popular opinion assumes that children need periods of interaction with a group of peers to acquire social skills. By contrast, however, many believe that extensive peer contact during childhood can cause undesirable peer dependency. “Do not be deceived: `Bad company corrupts good morals'” (I Cor. 15:33 NAS). Young children are more likely to be influenced by the majority than to be an influence on them. Children who receive their education outside the home are prone to accept…

You know your children better than anyone and have the deepest love and concern for them. You also have the most direct and long-term responsibility for your children.Educationally, one-to-one tutoring of a child has many advantages over the typical classroom where one teacher tries to meet the needs of many children at different learning levels.Your example and enthusiasm in learning with your children will motivate and encourage them far more than striving to appear as if you know it all. You do not need to know everything in order to…

Many Christian parents are committed to educating their children at home because of their conviction that this is God's will for their family. They are concerned for the spiritual training and character development as well as the social and academic welfare of their children. Specific advantages have been expressed as follows:Parents can present all academic subjects from a biblical perspective and include spiritual training. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding” (Prov. 9:10 NAS).Homeschooling makes quality time available…