As a parent, you might be wondering when is the best time to start homeschooling your child. According to childhood development experts, the early years are the best time to educate your child. Why? Because all kids are natural learners! And, it is when they’re in their youngest years that they are the most interested and eager to learn. Children are outstanding learners and the right homeschool program can be both fun and engaging for you and your child.
So, what age to start homeschooling your child is best? The answer – it depends!
What’s The Best Age To Start Homeschooling?
A great indicator to know that your child is ready for homeschooling is when your child sparks an interest in learning about the world they live in, which happens naturally at a young age. You can think of this as the infamous “why” phase, which will be overwhelmingly obvious to you when it begins, trust us!
Each child learns at his or her own pace. In a regular preschool setting, formal education can begin with children as young as two years of age which can help prepare them for the classroom. And, this usually coincides with the “why” phase, which occurs between the ages of 2 and 3 when your child’s natural curiosity is born.
There is no such thing as being too young for learning because being a homeschooling parent doesn’t have to be about mathematics, language arts, and history. Simply playing with your child and answering their questions is the best way to educate them. You are likely already instructing them by joining their play and showing them motor skills or asking them questions. The amazing thing about kids is that they don’t even know that they are learning, rather they think they are just having fun at home!
It’s important to have your young child discover a lifelong love of learning and the early years are the best time to do it. If you’re engaging your child in a variety of opportunities to play, such as solving puzzles, having story time, building with blocks, practicing music, and painting, then you’ve unknowingly already begun the process of homeschooling your child.
You’ll be able to tell when your child is ready for formal homeschooling education by how they respond to your extracurricular activities. If your child is receptive to activities and immerses themselves willingly in play, then the chances are good they’re ready to begin a homeschool program.
When considering homeschooling options for your child, it’s good to be aware that the mandatory school age can vary by state. In the majority of states, children must enroll in a public charter school by age 5 – 8. You can find detailed information about each state’s requirements on the Education Commission of The States website.
In California, for example, the required age to begin school is 6, meaning that attendance in kindergarten is not obligatory so you can homeschool without any documentation. However, from 1st to 12th grade, school attendance is mandatory so you will need to comply with state requirements.
How To Start Preparing Your Toddler For Homeschooling
Before you start teaching your toddler, make sure to come up with a list of things that may interest them to ensure they’ll be engaged by what they’re learning from their toddler homeschool curriculum. Then, connect their interest to things they are learning in their young developmental stage. If your child is learning the difference between open and closed, up and down, relationships, likes and dislikes, and how to have conversations with others, everyday play and interactions are a great way to practice and learn. After all, the best way to learn is by doing!
For more learning, you can take them on field trips to the aquarium, the zoo, or outside in your neighborhood to show them the different animals or trees in the surrounding area. At home, coloring will get them prepared for writing skills and can spark their creativity through drawing.
You can read more in our blog post about, “Why Are More Families Choosing to Online Homeschool.”
How Homeschooling Can Prepare Your Child For Kindergarten
Preparing your child for Kindergarten requires them to understand basic skills such as recognizing numbers and letters, as well as beginning counting and basic writing like spelling their name.
Understanding the maturity of your child is also important to consider in order to get them prepared for the school year. Can your child pay attention to the lessons they are provided, can they interact well with their teacher and peers, and can they focus on completing their assignments?
If your child hasn’t reached a level of maturity where they can pay attention during lessons, then they might benefit from a homeschool program. They say practice makes perfect, and education is no different! When to start homeschooling is entirely dependent on your individual child, but as a parent, you should use your own intuition and knowledge of your child’s behaviors to guide this decision and make the right decision for their development.
Homeschooling is a great way to get a head start on the school year by learning the basics before they reach Kindergarten. Think of it as giving your child a leg up, which will no doubt lead to better performance and self-confidence in the classroom.
How To Start Homeschooling With Novel Education Group
Start the learning process with Novel Education Group. One of the reasons parents start homeschooling with Novel Education Group is we give your child the freedom to explore their interests at the proper age that’s appropriate for your child’s education. We work with all types of students that require our specific homeschooling services such as traveling families, special needs, all kids K-12, private tutoring, and test preparation!
Book a FREE consultation with us and we’ll discuss the benefits of Novel Education Group’s home-education program for your child’s education. Students may enroll in full-time homeschool programs, learn remotely with their current school, or private school, and complete one-on-one enrichment programs with our team of academic advisors!
Final Thoughts
When it comes to the question of when to start homeschooling, there is no one-size-fits-all answer, and that’s perfectly okay! However, childhood development experts suggest the early years are prime for homeschooling, as they tap into children’s natural curiosity. The infamous “why” phase becomes your ally, signaling that your child is ready to start more intentional learning. And, the beauty of toddler homeschool curriculums is that they’re not about formal subjects, but fostering a lifelong love of learning through play!
If you still aren’t sure when to start homeschooling, take cues from your child’s enthusiasm for activities and use them as your roadmap. Trust your parental instincts and start your homeschooling journey at a pace that feels right with Novel Education Group’s customized homeschooling services.
