Homeschooling in Japan--Starting Out

Education in Japan

Starting Out

The following was edited from the Home Education Magazine Free Online Newsletter

The big question this time of year comes from new and potential homeschoolers: how do I start? It can seem overwhelming to take this step into helping your children learn at home, but there are ways to break it down and simplify the ordeal.

First you need to read as much as you can lay your hands on about homeschooling. On the internet youíll find countless articles and message boards where you can ask questions and read about homeschooling from various points of view. Some wonderful books have been written in the past five years. Here are four to get you started: The Homeschooling Handbook and The Unschooling Handbook both by Mary Griffith, The Homeschooling Book of Answers by Linda Dobson and The Teenage Liberation Handbook by Grace Llewellyn if you plan on homeschooling with a teenager. And don't forget about magazines. Home Education Magazine is my favorite, but I'd also recommend Growing Without Schooling Magazine.

Some homeschoolers manage just fine without a support group. I find that many people like to get together with other homeschoolers to share field trips, play days, co-op classes and to just plain socialize. It is not always easy to find a support group in your area. You might try calling a couple of local churches or your local La Leche League leader. There are many online support groups as well that might lead to face-to-face friends.

Once youíve explored the world of homeschooling, both by reading and meeting other homeschoolers, itís a good idea to sit down and define what you expect from homeschooling; your goals, expectations and reasons for embarking on this journey. Do you feel you need an umbrella school at least the first year? Do you plan to use a curriculum or explore the library and its many resources? What do your children expect? What is your philosophy for learning and how do you expect to bring that to your homeschooling practice?

Finally, it is possible people in your life will be surprised and concerned by your decision to homeschool. Make a list of the questions you had before you did your research, as well as list of questions you've already heard from other people. Know how you want to answer those questions before you feel like you're on the hot seat. Examining the issues around homeschooling will give you confidence in your choice and will help you know that you've done your research and are not making a rash decision, but are choosing a lifestyle that you think is best for your family. Good luck!

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