The Beginner’s Guide to Home Education in the UK: Part 2

Home Education can be so rewarding when we approach it with an open and willing heart to learn and also unlearn a lot of the ways that we think education should be! It is a true adventure with our babies and in this part 2 of ‘The beginners guide to Home Education’ I’ll be sharing a dew thoughts and ideas around how to get started for complete beginners, and particularly from a Christian perspective.

How to get started with Home Education

Our journey into Home Ed began developing during the Covid lockdown in 2020 where we saw the possibilities of what could be for us as a family. As with all major life changes and decisions, we prayed about it a lot and spoke with other home schooling families and I read so many books! It was truly new territory for me and I wanted to do a deep dive into so I could get a real scope of all it is. Getting started with home education involves some form of planning, understanding legal (if there are any) requirements, and creating an environment conducive to learning overtime where you and your children can thrive. Here are some practical tips that helped me to launch well:

Tips for success in Home Education

Know your WHY: My first suggestion would be to write down a list of your WHY. Why are you and your family choosing to venture down this alternative path? What is your vision and goal for your journey? What do you envision your home and your children to be like in 10-15 years time? Writing down your WHY helps to anchor your heart on a day to day basis, on the days when things don’t seem to be going to plan and also on the great days! Everything you do, say and build with your family is tethered to your WHY.
Set Clear Goals: Now that you have established your why, have a think about setting goals to help you achieve that. Defining educational goals gives a starting point but remember it can totally be subject to change as you witness the learning style of your child as well as any specific needs or interests they may have.
Research Home Education Laws: It is always worth doing a search to find out what requirements and support is available in your local borough. Some provide a lot of useful information on their websites, and may even be surprised to find an active and diverse home schooling community.
Create a Schedule: Having a schedule for anything can be a really useful guide to help you build consistency in your everyday rhythms. Remember, you aren’t bound by this. It is a guide that helps you to somewhat structure your day. With very little ones, life is very unpredictable and you need to give yourself a lot of grace and patience. Our schedule started off with library trips, outdoor play, cooking, phonics, praise and worship time and reading. Writing it down helped me to have a point that I could always refer to during the constant moments of nappy changing, cleaning and laundry. As time has gone on, I have added very slowly to the schedule as I careful not to create overwhelm for myself and the boys.
Remember to focus on enjoying your children: It is so so easy to launch into the academics because there is an insecurity in that area. As they are not in traditional schooling, we feel as though we have to prove that they are ‘learning’ just as they would if they were in a classroom. You have nothing to prove. Being with your children on this journey is a real unique opportunity to develop a beautiful relationship with them- start from there and the learning will be easier. Enjoy them, be happy with them, laugh, play, rest and just be.
Start thinking of and gathering resources: There could be a temptation to rush out to the shops and purchase all the CGP books you can find! I would say keep this area slow and intentional because there is only so much that your child will want to get through in the beginning! You don’t want to feel overwhelmed and disappointed. If anything one phonics book and one numbers book which you can use to make up fun lessons. As time goes on, you’ll naturally add more resources (games, books etc).
Designate a Learning Space: This isn’t a rule because all of our homes look different and learning can and does happen all over the home! Having a small area (whether it be a book shelf, the dining table in the mornings, the corner area near the sofa, or the sofa itself) where you keep your resources can help to create focus for everyone.
Enjoy the outdoors everyday: It does wonders for the mind, body and soul and is free! Depending on the day we can be outdoors in the morning or afternoon. The boys thrive when outdoors and I get much needed fresh air. Adding on to this can be trips to the museum, country parks and local events.
Learn alongside your children: One of the unexpected but beautiful blessings for me, has been the growing desire to learn along side my boys. Initially I was impatient, and on the other fence of the learning experience- simply throwing out facts and information and expecting it to be caught but overtime this has changed. I realised that as they learn, I too can learn. It is an opportunity that God has given to me to reawaken and develop a different side of myself.
Build your tribe/community: This is important for encouragement along the journey. Connecting with other home ed mamas is a great way to network, find out information, get support, make great friends and share experiences! I started my search on Facebook and through a little networking on Instagram. Exploring extra curricular activities during the week can also open you up to social opportunities.
Be open minded to change: One of the big tips that will make your journey with your children truly tailored and special. As a mama we usually want to set and keep things as they are but our children are whole human beings who are always changing. Our focus is for them to thrive and love learning so we have to be willing to assess and adapt when it is needed to achieve that goal.
Involve your children in the learning process: Your children can own their own learning if you are able to encourage them to enjoy the process of learning in their own way