How to Homeschool

> How to Homeschool

The Complete Guide

How to homeschool

From Ralph — a dad who’s been exactly where you are.

It doesn’t start with a plan. It starts with a question. For most parents, homeschooling begins right there — is there another way to do this?

For me, it wasn’t a theory. It was something I could see happening right in front of me.

My son was in fifth grade—and he couldn’t do basic math. Not advanced math. Basic math. He didn’t know his number facts. He couldn’t do something like 9 + 3 without stopping. So when it came to something like 299 + 33, everything broke down—because the foundation just wasn’t there.

I met with his teacher multiple times that year. Three or four conversations. And each time, I heard the same thing: “He’ll get it.” “Don’t worry.” “It will come.”

And I remember walking away from those conversations feeling… stuck. Not angry. Not even frustrated, exactly. Just disempowered. Because I could see the gap. And I could see that nothing was really being done to close it.

That’s where homeschooling started for me. Not as a big philosophical decision. But as a simple shift: If this isn’t getting handled here… then I’m going to help him figure it out.

And I won’t pretend it was easy. It took time. There were a lot of tears. There were moments where both of us were frustrated. Because teaching your own child—especially when something isn’t clicking—is hard.

But something changed in that process. It became clear that homeschooling isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about being willing to stay in it. To slow down when needed. To revisit things that didn’t stick. To actually make sure the foundation is there before moving on.

And it also gave me a different perspective on school. Teachers aren’t the problem. They’re doing the best they can—with 25 or 30 kids in a classroom. But they can’t sit with one child for as long as it takes. They can’t always go back and rebuild something from the ground up.

Homeschooling gives you that option. Not because it’s easier. But because you’re choosing to take ownership of the process.

That was years ago now. He’s in his third year of a software engineering degree, on a full academic scholarship. The kid who couldn’t do 9 + 3 without stopping.

And Sahar and I are at the very beginning again — with a three-year-old, and everything I learned the hard way the first time.

And if you’re somewhere in that space right now—seeing something in your child that isn’t quite working, and wondering what to do next—you’re not alone in that. That’s where a lot of this begins.

Homeschool is taking ownership of your child’s education.

Kids Love is what came out of that. Sahar — my wife, and an early-childhood teacher with a Master’s in the field — built a calm, Montessori-inspired curriculum for the preschool and kindergarten years, and I built the guides you’re reading now. Everything below is free. The curriculum itself lives in our community.

Can I Really Do This?

This is usually the next question. “Can I actually homeschool my child?”

Most parents don’t feel ready when they first consider it. You might feel unsure. Overwhelmed. Like you don’t know enough. That’s normal.

You don’t have to have everything figured out to start. You just have to be willing to take the first step.

Where To Start

If you’re exploring homeschooling, you don’t need to learn everything at once. You can start with just one area:

Start where your biggest question is right now.

What Is Homeschooling?

Homeschooling can sound like a big shift—but at its core, it’s simple. It’s choosing to take a more active role in your child’s learning. Not by recreating school at home. But by building something that works for your child.

Some families follow structured programs. Others take a more flexible approach. Most find themselves somewhere in between. There’s no single “right way” to homeschool.

Learn what homeschooling really looks like →

How to Start Homeschooling

Getting started is often the hardest part. Not because it’s complicated—but because it feels like everything has to be decided at once. I remember that feeling of thinking: “What do I do first?”

In reality, most families begin with just a few steps: understanding their state’s requirements, choosing a direction, and starting small. It doesn’t have to be perfect—it just has to begin.

Learn how to start homeschooling step by step →

Homeschool Curriculum Options

At some point, almost every parent asks: “What am I actually going to teach?” It can feel like there’s a “right” answer—and pressure to choose perfectly. But most families figure this out over time.

Some use full curriculum programs. Some mix different resources. Some build their own approach. What matters most is finding something that works for your child—not someone else’s system.

Explore homeschool curriculum options →

Homeschool Teaching Styles

You might hear terms like Montessori, Charlotte Mason, or unschooling—and wonder what they all mean. It can feel like you’re supposed to pick one. But in reality, many families naturally blend different approaches. Taking what works. Letting go of what doesn’t. Homeschooling often becomes your own style over time.

See different homeschooling methods explained →

Setting Up Your Homeschool

It’s easy to imagine that homeschooling requires a perfect setup. A dedicated room. Desks. Organized shelves. But if you saw most homeschool spaces, you’d realize: that’s not what makes it work.

Some days happen at the kitchen table. Some on the couch. Some outside or on the go. What matters isn’t the space—it’s that learning fits into your life.

See simple homeschool setup ideas →

Creating a Homeschool Schedule

One of the biggest shifts is realizing: homeschool doesn’t have to look like school. There’s no bell schedule. No strict pacing. At first, that freedom can feel overwhelming. But over time, it becomes one of the biggest advantages.

Some days are structured. Some days are flexible. Some days don’t go as planned. The goal isn’t to recreate school—it’s to create a rhythm that works for your family.

See real homeschool schedule examples →

Activities, Projects, and Hands-On Learning

This is where homeschooling often starts to feel different—in a good way. Learning doesn’t have to stay in a workbook. It can look like:

  • building something
  • exploring outside
  • asking questions and following them
  • turning interests into projects

These moments often lead to deeper understanding—and more engagement. This is where learning starts to stick.

The shift that surprises most new homeschool parents is how much of this happens without being planned. Cooking is measurement and sequencing. A walk is botany. Sorting laundry is early sorting and matching. You don’t have to manufacture these — you have to notice them, and then slow down enough to let the questions come.

For young children especially, this isn’t the fun extra alongside the real work. It is the real work. Hands and senses come well before worksheets.

Explore homeschool activities and ideas →

Socialization and Community

One of the biggest concerns parents have is: “What about socialization?” It’s a valid question. But when a traditional parent challenges us with this question, we usually fire back with our own: “How many hours of socialization is your child getting sitting in a desk 8 hours a day?”

Homeschooling doesn’t mean isolation. I’d wager that our children get more socialization than most traditionally schooled children. Because we make connections through:

  • homeschool groups and co-ops
  • community classes
  • sports and activities
  • shared interests

Instead of one classroom, we’re building relationships in a variety of settings. Socialization just looks different—not less.

Learn how homeschoolers connect and build friendships →

The Cost of Homeschooling

Another common question is: “Can we afford to do this?” The answer depends on how you approach it. Some families invest in full programs. Others use free or low-cost resources. Libraries, printables, and secondhand materials can go a long way. Homeschooling can be as simple or as structured as you choose.

See ways to homeschool on a budget →

Common Homeschooling Concerns

Even if you’re interested in homeschooling, doubts are part of the process. In fact, if you’re feeling doubt, you’re in good company… There’s not a day that goes by that we don’t second guess what we’re doing and if it’s the right choice.

So, you might be wondering: “What if I’m not qualified?” “What if my child falls behind?” “What if I choose the wrong curriculum?” “Will I have enough time?”

These questions are normal. And maybe more importantly, if you’re asking yourself those questions, it means you really care. You care about your child, you care about the choices you’re making. And that’s something worth celebrating—seriously, could we celebrate how much you care about your children?

The truth is, most parents don’t start with confidence, and that doubt is going to linger. But over time, you’re going to build a quiet confidence that helps you understand that even if you make a “wrong” choice, you’re going to face it and make a change.

Every choice is an opportunity to learn. And guess what, the way you face those choices becomes just one more way that you’re teaching and modeling to your child.

Hard Truth: You don’t have to eliminate doubt to begin. You just need to begin.

Explore common homeschooling concerns (and what to expect) →

Homeschooling by age

What “homeschooling” actually means changes a great deal between three and six. The early years need very little formal work and a great deal of play; kindergarten is when reading and number sense step forward, and when most states start asking questions.

Find your child’s stage →

Finding Your Family’s Approach

We’ve discovered that over time, something shifts in your thinking. Homeschooling becomes less about doing it “right” and more about doing what works. You make a choice. You see how it works or doesn’t. You adjust. You experiment. And you’re learning too, right alongside your children.

There isn’t a perfect model. There’s just the one you build.

Homeschool laws by state

Homeschooling is legal in all 50 states, but the rules differ — some just need a quick notice, others ask for a bit more. Find your state’s exact requirements:

AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyoming

More states are going live regularly. Highlighted states have full guides ready now.

For the early years

A complete homeschool for the preschool and kindergarten years — and a community doing it with you.

One membership. Everything you need for the early years:

  • ✦ A full preschool & kindergarten curriculum — lessons planned, open and go
  • ✦ The Reading Path and Numbers Path — opening at 30 days, once your rhythm is set
  • ✦ Printables and card packs — print once, use all year
  • ✦ A new seasonal theme every month, so it never goes stale
  • ✦ A warm community of parents — and me, answering your questions
  • ✦ Support for you, not just your child — the part most curriculums forget
Join the community →

from $19/month · one price per family · 30-day money-back

You don’t have to do this alone.
Come find us — we’ve been waiting for you.

Where to Go Next

If you’re ready to take the next step, start with one area:

You don’t have to figure everything out today. Just take the next step.

Starting out — common questions

How do I take my child out of school to homeschool?

Withdraw formally rather than simply stopping attendance, or the absences may be recorded as truancy. Most states want a written letter of withdrawal to the school, and many also want a notice of intent filed with the district or state. Do the paperwork first, then the last day. Check your state’s rules before you write anything.

Can I start homeschooling in the middle of the year?

Yes. There’s nothing special about September. Families start in January, in March, after a hard term, after a move. Your child doesn’t lose anything by beginning mid-year — in the early years especially, there’s no train to fall off.

What do I actually do in the first week?

Less than you think. Read together, get outside, cook something, and watch what your child gravitates toward. Resist buying a full curriculum in week one — most families over-buy at the start and then quietly abandon half of it. Begin with a rhythm, and let the content follow. Our schedule guide shows what a first week can look like.

What records should I keep?

It depends entirely on your state — some ask for nothing at all, others want a portfolio, attendance, or annual testing. Even where nothing is required, a simple folder of work samples and a few photos is worth keeping. It takes minutes and it’s genuinely reassuring to look back on.

Do I have to tell anyone we’re homeschooling?

Often yes, once your child reaches compulsory school age — which is usually around six, though it varies. Below that age, most states require nothing whatsoever, which is why the preschool years are such a gentle place to begin.

What if we try it and it doesn’t work?

Then you stop, and your child returns to school. This isn’t a permanent decision, and treating it as one is what keeps a lot of families frozen. Many homeschool for a season — a difficult year, a move, a child who needs a break — and then go back. That’s a legitimate use of it, not a failure.

Where do I start if I’m completely new?

With one question, not all of them. If you’re unsure what homeschooling even involves, start with what homeschooling is. If it’s the doubts keeping you up, go to the honest pros and cons. If you’ve already decided and want the practical part, setting up your space is the smallest possible first step.

Written by Ralph Miller · Last reviewed July 2026. State requirements change — always confirm with your own state before filing.