How to Start Homeschooling: 5 Simple Steps for New Homeschool Families
- 4 days ago
- 10 min read
Updated: 10 hours ago
New to Homeschooling? 5 Practical Steps to Help You Get Started
If you’re new to homeschooling, it can feel overwhelming. There are SO many choices.
101+ curriculum options.
(No seriously — this isn’t an exaggeration. I’m sure you’ve seen the page.)
So how do you choose?
Here’s an important truth:
You do NOT need 101 curriculums to successfully homeschool.
You actually only need one good, solid Christian homeschool curriculum and a plan for how you want to approach your children’s education.
Homeschooling does not have to be overwhelming, expensive, or incredibly time consuming.
In this guide, we’re going to walk through five practical steps for how to start homeschooling. These steps will help you move from feeling overwhelmed to feeling prepared.
We’ll break each one down to help you map out your homeschool journey.
5 Steps to Start Homeschooling
Identify your why
Set homeschool goals
Learn your state homeschool laws
Choose curriculum and resources that align
Find homeschool support and community
Now, let’s walk through each one!
Save this post to Pinterest for later! ^^^
1. How to Find Your Homeschool Why
Your homeschool “why” might be the most important thing for you start with.
It’s what will keep you going when you feel burned out or discouraged.
Why do you want to homeschool?
Every family’s answer will look a little different.
Maybe your why is what you want to protect your children from in the public school system.
Maybe your why is the cost of Christian education.
Maybe your why is the quality of academics or the support your children need to thrive.
Maybe your why is what you get to add to your child’s education—the ability to teach them at home, model faith daily, and build a love of learning together.
For many families (including ours), it’s a mix of several of these.
This step might seem optional, but from a mom who has homeschooled for more than seven years (if you count preschool), don’t skip it.
Your “why” is where you’ll find the motivation to keep going when you’re tired of repeating the same lesson for the fifth time. On the days when you feel homeschool burnout with every fiber of your being.
It’s what you’ll come back to on the days you question whether you can keep homeschooling.
You can think of your homeschool “why” as your family’s homeschool mission statement.
And for many Christian families, it becomes part of the way we live out Deuteronomy 6 — teaching our children diligently as we walk through life together.
Example: Our Homeschool Why
We have the unique opportunity to impress God’s ways on our children while educating them.
Through homeschooling we are able to give them a strong academic education while also reading the Bible together daily.
We get to:
Point our children to Jesus
Study subjects that interest them
Foster a genuine love of learning
Learn together as a family
Avoid influences that don’t align with our values
Give our children opportunities they might not have otherwise
Extra bonus: Feed our kids healthier food choices the majority of the time more easily. Not always faced with saying “no” to unhealthy options.
Of highest importance, we get to point them to Jesus and encourage them to walk in a manner worthy of the calling of God.
2. Homeschool Goals for Beginners
Once you’ve thought over your “why,” the next step is to set homeschool goals.
This helps you choose the right curriculum and learning approach for your family.
Think about this both short-term and long-term.
Long-term questions might include:
Do you want your child to attend college?
Do you want them prepared for whatever God calls them to do?
Are there specific gifts or learning needs to consider?
Be kind to yourself and your child as you think through this.
For example, our daughter has Down syndrome. It wouldn’t be kind to her—or realistic—to set goals like reading fluently by age five or graduating with college credits already completed.
Instead, we set goals that allow her to grow and succeed at her own pace.
On the other hand, our sons have areas where they excel, and we want to help them steward those gifts well.
Will we allow them to settle for “good enough,” or will we encourage them to work diligently in everything they do unto God’s glory?
If you're just starting homeschooling with a preschooler or kindergartener, thinking globally may feel overwhelming—and that’s okay.
Give yourself grace.
Right now your goals might simply be to:
Learn how your child learns
Discover their interests
Build a strong foundation for reading and math
Everyone can set short-term goals.
For example:
Preschool: Letter recognition
Ages 5–7: Learn to read
Grades 2–4: Master multiplication facts
Grades 1–2: Write complete sentences
These small goals create the building blocks for long-term success in homeschooling.
Example Goals for a Kindergartener
Learn to read
Begin writing simple words and sentences
Learn basic addition
Develop a love of learning
Long-term goal: Help our child discover their God-given gifts and encourage them in the path God has for them
3. Understanding Homeschool Laws
Before you begin homeschooling, take time to learn the homeschool laws in your state.
Homeschool requirements vary widely depending on where you live. Some states require very little paperwork, while others may require notifications, testing, or progress reports.
Thankfully, most states make it fairly simple for families to homeschool legally.
A quick search for “homeschool laws in [your state]” will usually point you in the right direction, and many homeschool organizations provide clear summaries of each state’s requirements.
Some states even offer support programs or funding for homeschool families. If your state offers this, it’s worth praying about and researching whether it would be a good fit for your family.
Depending on where you live, these programs may come with additional responsibilities—but they can also be a blessing and provide helpful resources.
Understanding the laws ahead of time removes unnecessary stress and helps you begin homeschooling confidently.
4. Choosing Curriculum: What Works for Christian Families
Now that you have a vision, goals, and understand the legal side of homeschooling, it’s time for what many families find to be the most overwhelming, and exciting, step:
Choosing homeschool curriculum.
If you're new to homeschooling, the sheer number of homeschool curriculum choices can feel intimidating.
But remember this:
👉You don’t need 101 programs.
✨You just need one solid curriculum that works for your family.
When evaluating curriculum options, here are a few things to consider.
Homeschool Curriculum Cost
Set a realistic homeschool budget.
Some homeschool curriculum programs cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars each year. Often these are large programs originally designed for classrooms with many students.
For some families that approach works well.
But many homeschool parents quickly find themselves overwhelmed by stacks of books and complicated schedules.
If your budget is low—or even zero—don’t panic.
There are excellent options available, including free homeschool curriculum that can help you get started without financial pressure.
One example is That It May Go Well, a free Bible-based homeschool curriculum designed to help families begin homeschooling with a clear structure and strong Christian foundation.
Homeschool Time Commitment
Another important question is how your homeschool will actually function day to day.
Do you want each child to have completely separate textbooks and subjects?
Or would you prefer a family-style homeschooling approach where many subjects are studied together?
When we first started homeschooling, we only had one child learning formally. I didn’t think twice about having a stack of books for each subject.
That was simply the model I had seen.
But when our second child reached school age, I looked at that stack and thought:
“I cannot double this. I will lose my mind. There has to be a better way.”
And it turns out, there is!
Many homeschool families discover that family-style learning simplifies homeschooling tremendously—especially for subjects like history, Bible, and literature.
While That It May Go Well is certainly not the only curriculum that allows for this, it is one of the reasons we designed it the way we did.
When your children are studying the same time periods, stories, and biblical themes together, homeschooling becomes much more manageable.
You don’t need:
one child studying ancient history
another studying world history
and another studying American history
That could make any sane mother lose her mind. 🙃🙏
Values and Worldview
Finally, consider whether the curriculum aligns with your family's values.
For some families this may be a smaller concern.
For others—like ours—it is extremely important.
Choosing a Christian homeschool curriculum that aligns with your faith and values saves a tremendous amount of time and frustration.
Otherwise you may constantly find yourself:
editing lessons
skipping content
adding your own materials
explaining viewpoints you don’t agree with
This was actually one of the reasons I felt called to write Bible-based homeschool curriculum in the first place.
When your curriculum aligns with your beliefs, homeschooling becomes simpler, clearer, and more consistent.
5. Support & Community for New Homeschoolers
Homeschooling doesn’t have to be done alone.
Many families find encouragement through homeschool support groups, co-ops, and local communities.
If you already have support through church, sports, extended family, or friendships, that may be more than enough.
For example, my own mom homeschooled all four of her children at various points/ages/grades. That kind of experience is incredible built-in support!
But many families are first-generation homeschoolers, and if that’s you, it can be helpful to find others walking the same path.
Thankfully, homeschool communities are growing everywhere.
You may find support through:
homeschool co-ops
church groups
local meet-ups
online homeschool communities
If you choose to use That It May Go Well curriculum, we also have an online community connected to our Online Program where families can encourage one another and share ideas.
Sometimes simply knowing you’re not the only one figuring things out makes a huge difference.
What Happens Next?
If you walk through these steps, you’ll be well on your way to starting your homeschool journey with confidence.
The idea of homeschooling may feel intimidating at first, but once you begin, you’ll likely realize something important:
It’s much more doable than you thought.
If you’ve chosen solid curriculum and resources, they will guide you through most of what you need to do.
One of my favorite things to tell parents who feel nervous about homeschooling is this:
If you can organize things for your children, you can homeschool.
You’ve already taught your child so many things.
You taught them:
their colors
their shapes
how to walk
how to talk
how to interact with the world around them
Reading and academics require a bit more structure, but the core skills of teaching and guiding your child are ones you already possess.
Sometimes the most important thing is simply consistency.
Do it.
And then do it again.
And again.
Time and consistency are what help learning take root.
This is where your homeschool “why” becomes incredibly important.
It’s what helps you keep showing up.
Homeschooling shouldn’t take six or eight hours a day, especially in the younger years.
With the right structure and resources, it should feel manageable and sustainable.
But like anything worthwhile, homeschooling does require effort.
The beautiful thing is that the reward is tremendous!!
What About Everything Else?
One of the funny realizations during your first week of homeschooling is that you're suddenly wearing even more hats.
You’re the teacher.
But you’re also still:
the lunch lady
the house cleaner
the laundry manager
and the parent of the toddler running around the house
It can feel overwhelming when you realize homeschooling needs time and space in your daily rhythm.
This is where prioritizing and planning become incredibly helpful.
Things like:
simple lunch routines
easy dinner prep
busy boxes or activities for toddlers
can make a big difference in your day.
You don’t have to solve all of that immediately.
Just start collecting ideas. A Pinterest board full of simple systems can be incredibly helpful later on.
You Really Can Homeschool
Learning how to homeschool your children may feel intimidating at first.
But it isn’t impossible.
In fact, many families discover it becomes one of the most rewarding things they’ve ever done.
And if you’re a believer, you don’t have to do it alone.
God can equip you for the work He’s called you to.
Homeschooling is truly easier than many people imagine.
Before long you may look back and realize you’ve become a seasoned homeschool mom—and wonder how it happened.
Can You Start Homeschooling Anytime?
One common question from parents who are new to homeschooling is:
“Can I start homeschooling anytime?”
The short answer is yes, in most cases you can.
Many families begin homeschooling at the start of the school year, but plenty of parents begin mid-year after realizing traditional school isn't working well for their child.
In fact, mid-year is one of the most common times families decide to make the switch.
If you're wondering whether it's too late to start homeschooling, the answer is usually no.
Once you understand the homeschool laws in your state, you can often begin fairly quickly.
Many parents worry they need to perfectly plan everything before starting, but the truth is that homeschooling often becomes clearer once you begin and settle into a routine.
You don’t need a perfect system.
You just need:
a clear reason for homeschooling
a few educational goals
solid curriculum or learning resources
consistency
Many families discover that within just a few weeks, homeschooling begins to feel much more natural than they expected.
Frequently Asked Questions About Starting Homeschooling
Do I need teaching experience to homeschool?
No. Most homeschool parents have no formal teaching background. With good curriculum and consistent routines, parents are more than capable of guiding their children's education.
How many hours a day does homeschooling take?
For younger children, homeschooling often takes 1–3 hours per day. Older students may spend more time on independent work, but homeschooling is typically much more efficient than traditional school schedules.
What is the best homeschool curriculum for beginners?
The best homeschool curriculum is one that fits your family's goals, values, and daily rhythm. Many Christian families look for curriculum that integrates faith with academics and allows siblings to learn together.
Is homeschool curriculum expensive?
It can be—but it doesn’t have to be. Some programs cost hundreds or thousands of dollars, while others (including some free homeschool curriculum options) provide structured learning without a large financial investment.
You can homeschool your children!
All in all, we encourage you to try homeschooling! One of the best outlooks that my own parents had as I grew up is this: Take one year at a time. You don’t have to homeschool forever if you start. You always have options. Make the best choice to your child and your family in each season, with the help of the Lord! If you want help putting your plan into action this year, you might find our curriculum helpful.
Interested in checking out our Bible-Based, Family-Style, FREE Christian homeschool curriculum? That It May Go Well Bible-based Homeschool Curriculum covers multiple subjects and is a great for new homeschool families.
Faith-Based Approach: Lessons integrate Christian values and Biblical principles across subjects, helping children develop a strong relationship with Jesus and a moral and spiritual foundation through God's Word.
Multi-Level Learning: Designed for families with children of different ages, allowing siblings to study together or independently while following the same core program.
Hands-On & Engaging: Includes worksheets, activities, and projects that bring subjects to life and encourage critical thinking.
Flexible & Family-Friendly: Allows parents to adapt lessons to their schedules, children’s learning styles, and family goals.
Comprehensive Subjects: Covers history, geography, language arts, math, science, and more—making it easy to teach a complete homeschool year without juggling multiple resources.
Find it here!
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