FAQ

One of the key decisions you will make when homeschooling your child is whether or not to follow the typical milestones of child development. This can be a tough decision, as there are pros and cons to both approaches. On the one hand, if you choose to follow the milestones, you can be sure that your child is developing at the same rate as their peers. This can ease any concerns you may have about their development and provide a sense of structure and normalcy. On the other hand, if you choose not to follow the milestones, you can tailor your child’s education to their unique interests and needs. This can help them to develop a love of learning and reach their full potential. So, what is the right choice for you and your family? Child development milestones are a general guide for what skills children typically acquire at certain ages. These milestones cover areas such as physical development, cognitive development, language development, and social-emotional development. For example, a typical milestone for a 4-year-old is being able to hop on one foot, while a typical milestone for a 7-year-old is being able to read and write more complex sentences. Following the milestones can be helpful to ensure your child is on track with their development. If your child is not meeting certain milestones, it may be a sign to seek additional support or evaluation from a professional. However, I can’t stress enough how important it is as a parent to know your child. Meaning, it’s our job to KNOW them. Their weaknesses and strengths mentally, emotionally, physically, and academically. Only then can we as parents really understand if and when our child is having a problem with something. There is a fine line between a child developing at a pace the suits them vs a child who is developmentally challenged.

Milestones can help make sure that all the important subjects are covered in a homeschool program by giving it structure and direction. Still, being too strict about developmental stages may cause stress and addiction for both you and your child. Normal developmental stages can be very different from one child to the next because every child grows and changes at a different rate. When parents push their kids to reach developmental stages before they're ready, the kid may get frustrated and lose interest in learning. If homeschool educators choose not to follow the milestones, they have more control over the program. Allowing them to grow at their own pace is possible by tailoring their lessons to their specific needs and interests. This way might make your child love learning and feel like they have control over their life. The parent who is homeschooling has the final say on whether to follow the goals or not. Figuring out the best way to teach them while keeping in mind their unique needs and learning style is important. Some families may choose to use landmarks as a general guide, while others may choose not to use them at all. Finally, remember that homeschooling gives you the freedom to make changes as needed, no matter what you decide. Child growth is an important part of growing up and can have a big effect on a child's future. The different parts of development—mental, emotional, social, and physical—happen at different times. Understanding this as an educator can aid in your teaching becoming more effective.

Childhood development is an important part of a child's life, as it helps them to grow and learn. It is important for parents to be aware of the most important milestones in their child's development so that they can help them reach their full potential. From my experience working with infant through school aged children, the most important milestones in childhood development have been language acquisition, physical growth and motor skills, social-emotional development and cognitive growth. Through the last 30+ years teaching and caring professionally, raising, and educating children (including my own) I've learned how each milestone can be supported through age appreciate activities and one on one interactions with parents and caregivers. These presets can build a firm foundation for developing the whole child as an individual and creates a positive educational experience for children.

Homeschooling can be a great opportunity for children to explore their interests and develop skills that will help them in the future. It is important to create an environment where children can learn, grow, and develop in a healthy way. By providing activities that foster healthy development, parents can ensure that their children are getting the most out of their homeschooling experience. These activities may include physical activities like sports or outdoor play, creative projects such as art or music, and educational activities like reading and writing. By providing these opportunities for growth, we discovered this was the healthiest way to allow our children to become well-rounded individuals who are ready to take on the world.

Socialization is an important part of childhood development, and it can be difficult to ensure that children are socializing while homeschooling. Parents must take special considerations to ensure that their children are still able to interact with other children and adults in order to develop their social skills. This can include activities such as joining local homeschooling groups, participating in online classes or clubs, or even virtual playdates with friends. By taking these steps, parents can help ensure that their children are able to stay socially connected during the homeschooling.

As a parent, it is important to be aware of the milestones that your child should reach in order to ensure their healthy development. Milestones such as walking, talking, and toilet training are all key indicators of a child's progress. Additionally, milestones such as being able to recognize colors, shapes, and numbers are also important for their development. By keeping an eye on these milestones, parents can ensure that their children are growing and developing properly.

With the rise of homeschooling especially now due to the pandemic, parents are stressfully faced with the challenge of ensuring their children stay on track with learning milestones. It is important for parents to create a structured environment that is conducive to learning and development. This includes setting clear expectations, providing appropriate resources and tools, and encouraging regular practice and review. Additionally, parents should strive to create an environment that is engaging and encourages creativity while also teaching important life skills such as problem-solving, communication, and collaboration. By taking these steps, parents can help ensure their children stay on track with their learning milestones while homeschooling.

Homeschooling has become a very popular alternative to traditional education in recent years. It offers parents the opportunity to provide their children with an individualized education that is tailored to their specific needs and interests. With homeschooling, children can learn at their own pace, explore topics that interest them, and develop skills that will serve them well in the future. Homeschooling allows more time to focus on a child's developmental needs and provides more support from the parent to notice weaknesses and strengths. This can benefit both parties in the different stages of child development. A healthy holistic learning environment can better prepare them for success in life.

If you are like us, you probably have lots of questions and feel pretty overwhelmed with all the choices and options out there. We were in the same shoes many years ago. We needed answers. That's when Hearts4Homeschool was born in 2009. We had been homeschooling our first born for a couple years prior to creating H4H. As we continued forging our own educational path to success, it became clear there were so many families looking for alternatives to private or public school. Being involved with the homeschooling community, I felt this much needed outlet would be a valuable asset to new parents seeking information on homeschooling. The first step to homeschooling is: Discover. This means to learn and educate yourself on: What is homeschooling? Is homeschooling right for you? Deciding to homeschool, now what? How to get started? And other questions you might have which can be answered by browsing our Training Guides for parents. Being able to share my knowledge, wisdom, and success with others who have the same heart for their children, is joy.

Well, first of all, you don't have to wake them up at 7 every morning and bundle them off to school with umpteen numbers of instructions and wait with an anxious heart till they return. Homeschooling gives you more control over the influences that affect your child. The growth and development of your child is removed from the realm of the unknown. You, and you alone can decide what your child needs to do or learn. Tailoring the curriculum to suit the needs and interests of the child is one of the most obvious benefits of homeschooling. Individual attention is another salient benefit of homeschooling. Parents can get involved in every step of the learning procedure. Field trips and experiments become family activities. Thus, the child receives more quality time with his parents. The entire family shares games, chores and projects. Family closeness becomes the focus here. Homeschooling allows parents to take control over the moral and religious learning of the child. Parents have the flexibility to incorporate their beliefs into the child's curriculum. Having the freedom to instill our Biblical beliefs was the greatest most important aspect of teaching our children at home. The ability to integrate a creation base education in all subjects gave our children the solid foundation we desired as Christian homeschool parents!

The term 'homeschooling' basically refers to the process in which one or more children of not more than 2 families are instructed by parents or legal guardians, or a member of either household. The laws that define homeschooling vary from state to state. The legal requirements for establishing a homeschool also vary with the state. Homeschooling is just a natural progression from the learning that begins much before a child reaches school age. Instead of sending their children to a public school, parents have the freedom and flexibility to educate them on their terms. This is homeschooling, in its most simplistic creative form.

Without a doubt, homeschooling is legal in all the 50 States of the U.S. But that is just about where the similarity ends. Laws and regulations regarding homeschooling vary from state to state. Interpretations of these laws can vary from school district to school district. Additionally, these laws may change every year. Reading the laws that pertain to your state is perhaps the best way to get accurate information about these laws. This vital information will give you assurance in knowing your rights and requirements as a future homeschooling parent. You can get valuable information from online homeschool support groups.

When people talk about teaching their children from home in the absence of any definite or structured curriculum, it is perhaps natural to think that homeschooling is cheap. It may cost anywhere between a few hundred dollars to a few thousand every year. This all depends on your location, chosen curriculum, and family finances. The actual cost of educating a child at home can be surprisingly high depending upon the curriculum and materials chosen. Up to date textbooks, online classes, course materials, computing equipment, supplies for activities/projects, special needs services, and specially designed furniture all cost money. It's up to the homeschool parent to provide everything their child needs academically, mentally, physically, and emotionally. Those vital amenities are no longer at your disposal once out of the traditional school setting. We relied heavily on locating secondhand resources and materials from homeschool bookstores, libraries, yard sales, online resell sites, Facebook groups, and proudly excepted free items. Some years were very costly with others being minimal. Like us, you can opt in for bartering with another homeschool parent for "parent night outs' in exchange for free piano lessons. The need for having one of the parents at home fulltime and fully dedicated to providing education deprives the family of a second earning member. It is only obvious that one parent may have to stay at home full time to manage the homeschool. A home-based business is a great alternative or working remotely if accommodated by the employer. Are you willing and able to take on homeschooling for your children? There are many important initial concerns to homeschooling Finances is at the top of that list.

First of all, it is important to check out your state laws on homeschooling. Some states need an affidavit filed with the state's education department. You may also need to maintain a portfolio that records the child's educational progress. It is important to investigate the legal requirements BEFORE you start homeschooling. Some states also stipulate a minimum educational qualification for the parent or teacher. Next, look for a support group and build relationships with like-minded people who have been homeschooling a while. Their experience can help guide you in curriculum decisions and other things a novice homeschool parent would benefit from. Now that you have decided that homeschooling is the way to educate your child, Congratulations! The risks and rewards are great, and no new homeschooling parent can be fully prepared for how this journey will unfold. Stepping out if faith takes courage. Educating your child at home comes with many advantages and disadvantages. Producing a well-educated child takes full commitment and responsibility of the parents. If you are seeking for more information on how to get started, check out this guide.

A topic that frequently comes up when discussing homeschooling with others is record keeping. Yes. Keeping records of your child's progress, grades, materials, and other requirements are very important. The importance of record keeping cannot be ignored. It is not only legally required in various states, but also provides important milestones in your child’s learning experience. Record keeping is important not only for the sake of regulations., but it is also an exciting way to record and document the learning process of the child.

There are different methods of homeschooling, and the method you choose will decide the curriculum and your style of teaching. Many home educators make the mistake of choosing a method base on what their homeschool friend is doing. Some parents base it off of loving a certain aspect of the homeschool method then hoping that enthusiasm carries their child through the materials. Sadly, both decisions are unproductive or fruitful. This usually ends in an unsuccessful attempt at completing daily work and activities. Dissatisfaction with the materials lead to greater stress and unwanted tension between the child and homeschool parent. Parents feel defeated by the very curriculum that promised better results and returns on investment. Given below are some of the most influential and popular homeschooling methods. This determines solely on how your child learns best. Charlotte Mason Method Unschooling Eclectic Homeschooling Montessori Method

There are so many ways to answer this question. First off, beginners may need to chart out their activities to fall into a pattern or routine. If you are new to homeschooling your child, knowing how to structure school days, months, and years can array depending on family circumstances. Should you study continuously, take several short breaks or a long vacation? What about public holidays? The answer to these questions is actually quite simple: Do whatever suits you best. Some of our school years were fairly structured while others called for much less structure. A lot of homeschool parents NEED that structure to feel accomplished. It aids in their ability to stay in control of their child's education. However, some parents find that level of structure creates unwanted stress, pressure and prefer winging it. Life of the road calls for winging it most years! We developed our own "structure" to fit our needs as a traveling family. This is one of the appealing benefits of homeschooling. Flexibility is the key here.

This is one the most discussed topics centered around homeschooling! Social skills are an area of deep concern when it comes to homeschooling. Many critics point out that a homeschooling environment where social interaction is limited is detrimental to a child's growth and development. But studies have proved this wrong. The positive reinforcement that takes place in the homeschooling environment as opposed to being abandoned, embarrassed, or ignored in a normal school environment strengthens their self-esteem. Children turn out to be better balanced and well-rounded as they progress into adulthood. There are so many avenues for social interaction when your child is with you all day. The grocery store, church, mall, post office, doctors, along with a multitude of opportunities for engagement. We experienced zero problems in this area. Our children were raised and educated around some many different people and places which created an advantage for them, maybe. But you don't have to travel to experience that. People are everywhere! The age gap didn't make a difference for them. They were just as comfortable talking with a child several years younger to an elderly person at the library. Communication calls for no boundaries, and that's what homeschooling gave us through the years! It taught us to be social in every aspect of our lives. Developing those social skills gave our children the confidence necessary to face the world.

Homeschooling comes with its own unique set of successes and challenges. As a homeschool parent, I have had the opportunity to witness my child's growth and development in multiple ways that would not have been possible in a traditional school setting. The biggest successes I have experienced include watching my child blossom academically and in a holistic manner as well as developing a unique bond with them through our daily interactions. Allowing my children, the freedom to learn at their own pace in a supporting environment has proven to be successful in raising and educating them. On the other hand, the challenges of homeschooling can be daunting at times - juggling responsibilities between teaching and parenting can be difficult to manage. Learning how to manage all the roles of parent, homeschool mom, wife, friend, coach, mentor, etc doesn't come easy and takes patience, courage, and hard work! Despite this, homeschooling has provided me with some of the most rewarding experiences and memories that are such a blessing. Our homeschooling journey wasn't just about teaching my children, it become more about what I could learn from them.

The child is the lead in their own educational practices. If our child is an avid reader, we go to the library and he/she will choose books, magazines, etc that plague their interest and inquiring minds. They ultimately know what resources that will benefit them in reaching their learning goals. That is how I know my children are engaged in their educational environment. My strategy is to be available, present and aware of each child as they focus on learning what's important to them when they are ready. As parents, it is our responsibility to ensure that our children are engaged in learning and developing the skills necessary for success. To do this, we need to develop strategies that make learning enjoyable and engaging. By utilizing interactive activities, such as games or puzzles, providing incentives for good work and utilizing technology-based tools, so we can ensure that our children are actively engaged in their education.

All of the above... no seriously. I believe learning is a seed God plants within each child and if given the freedom to "grow", will take root in its own time and flourish. It's our job as parents to water and prune as needed. God has packed each child with everything they need for life. Each child has his/her own timetable. We use materials that fit our children's learning styles and interest tailored to feed their strengths. This type of educational method includes workbooks, digital products, online classes, fieldtrips, co-op classes, certified teacher led classes, app technology, and many other valuable resources that are needed. Methods depend on how our children learn best. D1 loves reading and writing while S2 loves videos and technology. Homeschooling gives us the freedom to tailor their education to meet those interests and strengths. The world is our classroom, so to speak. We allow their interest to drive the education with lots of prayer for wisdom. Learning is a process, I believe when a child is ready for the knowledge, he/she will absorb the information much easier and quicker with greater understanding and retainage. The method we use is an on-demand training approach to education. When our children want to learn or do something, they go for it. One example is with my daughter... she was about six at the time when she came up to me and said, "mama, I want to learn how to write in cursive". I said, "Sure, I'll get the workbook (bought 2 years earlier) for you." She took the workbook to her room and did what see does best! She taught herself how to write in cursive. I never asked her, "Are you learning to write in cursive?" or "Do you know how to write in cursive yet?" I just gave her the freedom to learn at your own pace without pressure! This is an approach I've always used raising my children regardless of what the task was at hand. She practiced on her own from then on and learned it quickly. I'd find my little notepads or other paper laying around with evidence of her practicing and honing her skills! She writes beautifully in cursive! I have many stories for both children just like that. There is not greater joy than to witness such an event. The look on their faces of sheer excitement and "I got it" expression is priceless to me. It's something that they will never forget, along with the great sense of accomplishment for doing it on their own.

Making the transition from traditional schooling to homeschooling can be an intimidating and overwhelming process. With the right preparation and support, however, parents can effectively manage this transition and provide their children with a quality education in the comfort of their own home. By developing an effective plan of action, researching resources, and creating a supportive home environment, parents can ensure that their children receive the best possible education when making this switch. Parents should have a plan before pulling their child from traditional school. In communication through the years with prospective parents, sometimes it's a situation of act first then think. Meaning, parents decide for whatever reason to pull a child from traditional school with no real plan on what to do next. In my experience, parents find themselves disengaged from what they knew as normal to being more disengaged from that they think will be the new normal of homeschooling. We are here to support parents every step of the way with our guides.

Educating our children has been top priority from day one. We've always provided our children with educational materials along with tools they find interesting. Actually, homeschooling was never even an option when we discussed having children in years prior. But that all changed back in 2007 when our first born turned "school" age. The call to homeschool came plus our need and desire to keep our family together so after much prayer, we brought our daughter home from traditional school after 1st grade. My professional, extensive early childhood education and blended childcare background laid a very firm foundation. The transition was a smooth one but that didn't calm my doubts with being a new Christian homeschool mom. However, my daughter's love of learning continued to excel which allowed my interest led learner to drive her own education. My creative and practical approach instilled her that freedom and gave us both confidence creating a respect between us that still stands today! This helped me realize as a Christian homeschool mom that the approach I was using with her was working! So, we raised up our second born the same way with success! This has been an awesome journey so far and homeschooling continues to benefit our family greatly. We wouldn't want it any other way right now. Homeschooling gives us the freedom needed to move and travel wherever work takes our family. The flexibility of having our children at home makes life so much less stressful. Homeschooling allows us the freedom to keep our family together which matters most to us. This is a great option for families on the road especially, which works well for us.

I'm glad you ask... it came to me in 2009 as memories of attending my first Homeschool Conference in North Carolina flooded my mind. If you haven't attended one, I highly encourage you to go! I will never forget the unexplainable feeling I got, seeing all those families and children there. Sharing this with my family was an amazing experience. We attended several classes and seminars with like-minded people who were looking for a better way to educate their children. Halfway through we stopped for lunch surrounded by families just like us, I was just overwhelmed with the whole experience to be honest. Everything really solidified our decision to homeschool which gave us the peace we had needed! As the day came to an end, I eagerly made my way to the "bookstore" where all the curriculum is on display. Remember, I had done my homework and knew just what I was looking for, but when I saw that room filled with stuff, I felt like a kid at Christmas. I slowly went to each vendor I had mind, browsing through their materials. When we left the conference, my heart was filled with excitement and certainty. This was an awesome place to be and something awesome to be a part of. There were people from all walks of life, families of different sizes, and a lot who didn't "fit the mold" so to speak. The one thing we all had in common though was that our hearts where the same. We were there to get answers, guidance, and on a mission to educate our own on our terms. We were there to find the freedom we believed would make the difference in this world, one child at a time. Hence, Hearts 4 Homeschool. No matter the reasons why, regardless of genre or family size, homeschooling families educate their own because they believe it is best.

This is a work in progress at the moment. I am currently working on details for the membership site which will be available in the future. To subscribe for updates and claim your guide titled "The Future of Homeschooling".