Homeschooling my child, what does this cost and how do I do it?

Question

My four year old starts pre-school in the fall, she is going to a private school because our local elementary school pays for 4 kids each year to attend this small school. Pre-school here is only 3 hours a day so I thought that would be a good jump start, but when she starts 6 hours a day I want her doing it at home. How much will this cost, and how do I start planning? For socialization she will also soon be starting dance, and this private school offers one hour 3 days a week for things like gym class and reading just to get the kids in a class room.

Answer 1

You're a great parent, thinking so much about your child!  

Go to http://www.hslda.org for the information on what is required (legally) to homeschool in your state.  Each state is different.

The socialization thing always cracks me up, because why does our society think a classroom of one adult and 20 kids the same age is socializing, but a day with multiple ages is not?  :)  Also, homeschooling has become so huge that we could literally fill our calendar all day every day, into the evening, with activities.  It's a struggle to not socialize too much!  Honestly.

As far as cost, you can homeschool -- a high quality education!  -- for 100% free, and I'm out to prove that on my blog, FreelyEducate which is at http://www.freelyeducate.com   Already I have a few preschool items up on that site, and I post new offers/giveaways every weekday.  

Read "For the Children's Sake" by Susan Schaeffer MacAulay as soon as possible.  Life changing!  (And not written just for homeschoolers.)

Answer 2

Home schooling can be as expensive or inexpensive as you make it. There are many different curriculum's to choose from. For preschool, you really just need to work on letter and  recognition, shapes, colors, and relational stuff like like light and dark, in and out. Its very basic. I am not sure why you feel you need to send her to a school for preschool if you feel like you are going to home school afterward. It may be a good idea to find a home school group instead and started getting her involved with them. Check at local churches and libraries. Usually someone can refer you.

For the legal aspect, check the hslda.org website for guidelines. I am not sure how NY is, but in FL we have to send in a letter of intent to home school when they are 6 years old.

Don't worry to much about the socialization myth! Your kids will be fine being socialized in the "real world" with you and around people of all different ages and backgrounds instead of being segregated by age and zip codes into a classroom for 6 to 8 hours a day.  

You have plenty of time, I would suggest doing some reading on Homeschooling. Check your library again, they have tons of books on the subject. Also, there is a wealth of information on the Internet. Here is one of my favorite ones about the whole socialization myth.

http://learninfreedom.org/socialization....

Answer 3

k12.com or connections academy are online schools. Free tution, accredited and everything. They are really great.

Hope this helps