Which Homeschool Curriculum Is Right for You?

Have you ever attended a homeschooling convention to choose homeschool curriculum? The experience can be quite refreshing, since it introduces you to the many possibilities available on the market.

On the other hand, it could leave you feeling more lost and overwhelmed than before you ever went.

Or you may be the type of parent that likes to browse through catalogs and choose what you think is best. You like to order your purchases by mail, phone, or Internet. You would rather contact the salesperson instead of them contacting you.

Or maybe you’re a parent who prefers surfing the web to find the resources you want and need.

Whether you choose to choose your curriculum online, through a catalog, or by visiting a homeschool convention, there are some important suggestions you’ll want to keep in mind when you shop:

* Recognize your child’s interests, strengths, and weaknesses. This will help guide you when you’re choosing the materials. The resources should not only play to your child’s strengths, but also help turn your child’s weaknesses into strengths.

* Know your family’s needs. For example, is your family religious? Do you have special needs kids? Is your family interested in traveling? When you choose a homeschool cirriculum, it’s vital to consider all these different factors.

* How does your child learn? Knowing your child’s learning styles are an important consideration when making curriculum choices. Is your child a visual, auditory, or hands-on learner?

* What are your family’s long-term goals? Does your child have goals for him/herself? If you and your child have a goal for him/her to run their own business, you should look for resources to help you accomplish this.

* How much are you willing to spend? Some families who homeschool feel fine about “borrowing” or photocopying curriculum. I personally don’t think this is fair. That doesn’t mean you have to choose expensive curriculum or leave your family destitute. If you plan ahead, you’ll be able to budget the costs.

* Is there a homeschooling philosophy that appeals to you? There are plenty of homeschool cirriculum philosophies. There are some that are literature-based, textbook, unit studies, accelerated, unschooling, Classical, and Christian.

* How much time can you spare? If you have several children and you also work part-time, this is very important to consider. When buying curriculum, you have to think about the time you’ll be putting into this as well as your child’s activities and co-op classes.

Before choosing any homeschool curriculum, I find it important to pray about your decision and talk things over with your husband to seek his counsel.