Homeschooling is the education of children at home rather than in a traditional public or private school. It is legal in all 50 states, but every state makes its own rules and defines homeschooling differently.

Have you been thinking about homeschooling? Maybe you're looking for a temporary solution because of the coronavirus pandemic. Maybe you're looking for a permanent alternative to public education. Have you considered the sacrifices you may need to make or the effects it may have on you and your family? Are you wondering where to begin?

There are many reasons parents prefer homeschooling over traditional public and private education. Some homeschool for academic reasons; some move around a lot, some are concerned about their children's safety, and some homeschool for health reasons. There are other reasons, too.

Before making the decision to educate your child at home, it's important to consider the impact it can have on your family. Some people may refer to the cons of homeschooling as disadvantages, but they oftentimes require only a shift in priorities. The pros of homeschooling, while certainly advantageous, do not come without effort on everyone's part. Here are a few things to think about.

Some people feel that children need to be in a traditional school setting to learn proper socialization skills, and those who know little about homeschooling erroneously believe that homeschoolers are especially unsocialized. Homeschoolers socialize–just differently.

Are you wondering whether you are qualified to teach your children? Some states require teaching certifications or specific educational levels (such as a GED or high school diploma), so the first thing you need to do is check the homeschool laws in your state.

Schools that offer enrollment services to help homeschoolers comply with state compulsory attendance laws are frequently referred to as umbrella schools, independent schools, hybrid schools, and church schools. Depending on your state, you may be able to educate your child at home under the cover of this type of school.

One of the benefits of homeschooling is being able to adapt your children's curriculum to meet their needs and abilities. Since everyone learns differently, understanding your child's learning style will help you develop a personalized curriculum and an appropriate method of instruction that will make teaching more effective and learning easier.

With so many companies publishing curriculum products, putting together your child's curriculum can be overwhelming. Here are a few things to consider before deciding on curriculum.

Documenting your child's education is an important part of homeschooling, but the kinds of records you keep will depend on your method of schooling and your state's legal requirements. Consider keeping calendars and planners, scrapbooks and journals, and detailed portfolios.