How can I homeschool my child? How hard is it and what are the requirements for homeschooling?
When it’s not possible to immediately find a good school, and concerns about the education system cannot be overcome, many parents consider homeschooling for their children. However, this form of education comes with its own challenges. If you choose homeschooling, be prepared that you won’t be saving your child from the formal educational system so much as re-entering it yourself. You'll have to immerse yourself in the rules and framework. Let’s explore what a parent can expect if they decide to teach their child at home.First, you need to ask yourself the most important question:
Can you do better than the school?
Today, everyone not only has unlimited access to information, but can also choose how it is presented. You can watch fascinating BBC documentaries, learn English using online tools, study physics via Skype, and listen to world-class teachers’ lectures. However, this is effective only if you develop a personalized study system for your child. Essentially, you take on the duties typically managed by an entire school team. This requires knowledge, experience, and specific skills.
If you plan to learn as you go, your child’s education will be something of an experiment. For parents, homeschooling is like taking on a second job—it’s essentially being the director of a mini school. You’ll need to find teachers, organize lessons and logistics (if travel is needed), and spend a significant amount of time with your child. The outcomes may be successful—or not. If your child wants to go to school, let them go; don’t deprive them of this experience. You can switch your child to homeschooling at any time.
Advice:
Homeschooling today is a step towards the future. It's not just another way to gain knowledge—it preserves a child's curiosity and independence, helps establish their own value system, and supports health and self-confidence. Thinking about homeschooling? Take our Parenting Mentor Test to get detailed information about your child to help you create the best learning environment.
What are the pros and cons of homeschooling?
Main pros:
- The main benefit is a child’s health. Numerous studies agree: school contributes to declining health in children. By graduation, only a quarter remain healthy, while 93% acquire conditions like neuropsychiatric disorders, gastritis, scoliosis, and more. Schoolchildren spend hours sitting in harmful postures, constantly facing stress—from speaking at the blackboard, dealing with peer conflicts, to enduring noisy breaks.
Homeschooling dramatically reduces the time under stress. By middle school, the difference between kids spending 9 hours daily on school and homework, and those studying 2 hours at home is clear. Plus, with access to good tutors, learning can be more effective for homeschooled children than in a crowded classroom. - Homeschooled children are less subject to peer pressure and external assessment; they are more independent and results-focused. They grow into unique individuals, not part of the system or crowd. Homeschooling is a joint decision by the child and parents, taken even without a medical reason. To formally switch, simply submit a notice to the school—it cannot be refused. It’s important to coordinate with the school from the start.
- Although homeschoolers often have the right to school support and can consult teachers, instructors are not required to teach them. There’s no guarantee you’ll get the help you need.
- In traditional schools, teachers focus more on discipline and external metrics like math scores or essays, rather than individual student development.
- Establishing strict discipline and time management at home is challenging.
- Homeschooled children may lack experience resolving conflicts with peers or older students.
- It may be more difficult to obtain diplomas or enroll in higher education institutions.
- Parents may find it difficult to teach subjects such as advanced sciences, arts, or structured thinking.
- Parental overprotectiveness can lead to infantilism or social withdrawal in children.
- Children may become accustomed to seeing themselves as 'different' or 'outsiders.'
A crucial aspect of homeschooling is proper time management. Schools have structured weekly schedules—English four hours, history two, math three, etc.—for the entire year.
Whereas schools require about 9 hours daily for lessons and homework, homeschooled children can often learn the same material in just 2–3 hours. The saved time can be used for extra sleep or outdoor activities. Students avoid waiting for others to respond, classroom management delays, and transitions between rooms—making their time more productive. Tutors can be scheduled as needed, and activities planned according to personal interests and pace.
Homeschooling lets you tailor study methods—for example, finish all of geography in January, biology in March. Just be sure not to forget material before formal assessments. English and math should be practiced at least twice a week, regardless of other arrangements, as consistent training is crucial.
Monthly tests and quizzes are valuable to check and reinforce knowledge. Do not leave review sessions until just before assessments—monthly practice allows you to see which topics have been mastered and which require further explanation. Familiarity with regular quizzes helps ease certification exam stress, since this is the usual exam format.
What does a child need for successful homeschooling?
- Sensitivity to time and responsibility. Homeschooling means shifting responsibility from teacher to student. It’s not about parents reminding children to study, but about children planning their own education (with parental support at first).
- A genuine desire and agreement to study at home. For some—especially teens—school provides an escape from constantly being criticized or pressured at home.
- A drive to discover new and interesting things. Without curiosity, the setting—home or school—makes little difference.
- Access to tutoring. Eventually, parents may not be able to explain certain topics. Professional tutors can fill gaps in knowledge and help avoid stress and frustration.
- Planning. Creating and following a plan or schedule makes organizing homeschool time easier. Let your child help choose which subjects to study and when. The traditional school timetable can serve as a guide, but don’t overload your child—let the workload grow gradually.
- Willingness to help. Adjustment will take time, and your child will need your support while adapting to the new lifestyle.
- Time commitment. For at least the first 3–4 months (especially for younger children), help your child find resources, set an appropriate pace, and choose courses. If your child wants to study a subject you are unfamiliar with, try reputable, free online resources like Khan Academy or Self Made Scholar, or browse free college classes at Open Culture.
- Create a comfortable and appealing study space.
Dividing the space
Arrange furniture to separate sleeping and studying zones—this prevents distraction. Use a partition, perhaps a drawing board, or sliding doors if space allows. The desk should be near a window, positioned so light falls in front and to the left.
Proper furniture
Children grow quickly, so consider an adjustable desk and chair to fit your child’s height. Natural light is ideal; the desk should be by the window. For right-handed students, the window should be on the left; for left-handed, on the right. The desk should be oriented to face the window.
A matte desk surface reduces glare. A special computer desk is preferable for computer work. Book shelves should keep resources within reach, and a book stand for comfortable reading is helpful.
Good lighting
A child’s room needs several lamps: one on the bed’s headboard, one for the desk, and overhead lighting. The direction of light is important—use lamps with opaque shades that direct light precisely. For desk work, a 60-watt incandescent bulb, a 10-watt fluorescent, or a 7-watt LED is sufficient.
Silence
The best workspace is free from kitchen smells, TV noise, and household interruptions. - Patience and the ability to hand over responsibility. Homeschoolers should monitor their own pace and manage quizzes on their own (within reason). If parents hover and control every detail, children won’t develop independence.
- Seek a community and engage with others. Connecting with other homeschooling families allows you to share experiences, offer support, and help both parents and children form friendships and networks.