So, your child is “school age” and you are considering homeschooling. Can you do it? How do you do it? These may be a few questions you have asked yourself. Here is what I ask people contemplating homeschooling kindergarten: Who taught your child how to talk, to walk, to recognize colors and shapes? I would bet it was you, the parent. Chances are you are also reading to your child. So, in essence you have been homeschooling or home educating from the very beginning.

Now it is just a matter of finding a homeschool curriculum, which contains the educational tools you will use to teach your child at home. Kindergarten is a very good place to start for both you and your child, here’s why:

Your child…

1. naturally wants to learn.
2. has no preconceived notion of school or education.
3. is used to learning from you.

You the parent…

1. have already established yourself as the teacher.
2. are fully equipped to teach kindergarten.
3. have endless resources available in this homeschool friendly era.

There are many options when it comes to kindergarten curriculum. You can start with the book What Your Kindergartner Needs to Know. You can find this on Amazon. Basically, they will learn numbers and the alphabet, and how to properly print both, as well as shapes, sounding out letters, etc. For a complete list, check out school.familyeducation.om. Also, keep in mind that many states do not even require kindergarten, so check your state’s homeschool laws before you begin (www.hslda.com). Of course you can still teach kindergarten even if it’s not required, it’s your choice how your child is educated. Exercise this right by finding a great curriculum, or going to the library or buying tools at a book store. Just know that you are in charge now – millions of us homeschool, and we welcome you to the homeschool community!

Now you can buy those crayons, markers, paper, paints, playdough and all the other fun “school” supplies – you have a student at home!