Homeschooling Elementary Kids: 9 Myths Debunked

Have you chosen to homeschool your elementary aged child for the first time this year?  And are you completely freaking out because you have no idea where to start? 

Well, you are not alone, my friend! 

Many parents are finding themselves in this very same position.  2020 has definitely changed the game plan. 

But you are in luck.  Because you may find that homeschooling is actually AWESOME!!!  So, welcome to the club. 

However, in order to calm some of your fears, let me debunk some myths about homeschooling that I wish I knew when I first started.  Hopefully, then, you can sit back, relax, and enjoy a year of learning with your child. 

(Please note that I am a homeschooling mom in Colorado and rules in your state may be different.  Please check your state’s regulations.)

Myth #1:  I Can Begin Homeschooling My Child Without Giving Anyone Notice.

First off, it is wise to become familiar with your state’s regulations surrounding homeschooling.  A great resource is the Homeschool Legal Defense Association (HSLDA.org).  There, you will find laws pertaining to your state.  Some states are much stricter than others. 

But in general, you most likely do need to send a Notice of Intent to Homeschool to some authority, letting them know that the child will not be attending a public school during the next school year.  For Colorado, the letter is due 14 days prior to the first day of school.  Check for due dates specific to your state.

Myth #2:  I Have to Be A Qualified Teacher to Homeschool My Kids.

You absolutely DO NOT have to be a qualified teacher to teach your own children.  In fact, being the parent of your child probably makes you the MOST qualified teacher for your child.

Why, you ask? 

The best advice I’ve been given, that I will pass on to you, is that if you love your child, you cannot go wrong homeschooling them.  Besides, who else in the world knows a child better than their parents?  And who else does this child have absolute trust in? 

A child’s parents are the primary people in a child’s life and the ones who teach him or her to walk, talk, eat, etc.  It’s only natural for parents to continue teaching their children.  And every parent is fully qualified to do so. You need only a willingness to learn alongside your child and an ability to follow directions to succeed.

Myth #3:  I Need A “Curriculum” To Homeschool.

This is one topic that gets homeschooling parents all in a tizzy!  “What curriculum should I use?!”  The fear is that, if the best curriculum isn’t chosen, their child will fail, or rather, the parent will fail their child. 

This is a complete misnomer. 

I found a list of over 40 definitions for the term “curriculum.”  No joke!  Many related to the typical “curriculum” children receive in a public school setting.  However, these three definitions really resonated with me as the core definition of the term:

1. A course of study that will enable the learner to acquire specific knowledge and skills.
2. The series of things that students must do and experience, by way of developing abilities, to do the things well that adults do in life; and to be in all ways the people that they should be as adults.
3. What we teach, both written and unwritten.

That being said, choosing a curriculum DOESN’T necessarily mean that you need to purchase an expensive package from a professional and teach your child as a public school teacher would. 

However, that answer probably freaks you out! 

But it’s true.  Most first-time homeschooling parents end up spending too much currency on a program that does not fit their family’s needs.  And I can say that because I was one of them!

I purchased Shiller Learning Math and Language Arts kits in our first year and spent over $500 on the whole lot.  I can’t say it was a total waste because it came with a ton of deliverables, which I do actually use.  But as for the actual material…I maybe used it for about a month?  Maybe? 

What is required?

The truth is you ARE REQUIRED to teach certain subjects, but most states DO NOT mandate how, when or the number of hours you must teach each subject.  For example, in Colorado, you are required to teach: 

• Reading
• Writing
• Speaking
• Math
• History
• Civics
• Literature
• Science
• The Constitution of the United States

Rather than purchasing an expensive “curriculum,” we have found that we love Scholastic, Brainquest and Summer Brainquest workbooks that I purchased from Costco at a fraction of the cost!  Each book can be purchased for under $10.  They cover much of what my kids need to learn in a fun way.  What these books do not cover, we learn in other ways.

Think Outside The Book

One way we learn is through library books.  We frequent the library and read A LOT!  We naturally read about a specific subject or two each year and end up doing our own informal unit study, while sitting by a cozy fire, on our couch or even outside in the fresh air.  What’s great about this is that kids of all ages can be included!  We have learned all about dolphins and sharks, insects, poetry and even Ancient Egypt!  This year, my kids have chosen to study the Civil War.    

But that’s just the beginning.  There is so much more to homeschooling than learning out of a book or in any formal curriculum.  You have the opportunity to have real conversations about life with your children and to teach them life skills that they may not learn in a public-school setting. 

For example, helping prepare meals in the kitchen, grocery shopping skills (from preparing the list to paying for the items at the cashier), financial literacy, woodworking, etc.  In fact, my kids already know the difference between an asset and a liability and none of them are even 10 years old yet!  (I can’t help it, I formerly practiced as CPA!)

So, yes, you can go ahead and spend currency on a formal curriculum.  However, it really might be a good idea to hold off on spending too much before you know how your child learns and you know what curriculum might work for you.  In the meantime, less expensive options are absolutely available!

Myth #4:  I Will Have to Report to The State Regularly on Our Progress.

I was surprised to learn that there really isn’t anyone checking how I homeschool my children.  Other than letting the state know that I am homeschooling my children each year, I have had ZERO contact with the state! 

That’s not to say that no one monitors homeschoolers, though.  It is possible that you may be contacted at some point to verify that your child is learning the required subjects.  In order to show that you are in compliance, it is a good idea to keep some documents on hand as proof. 

• Attendance records.
• Your child’s immunization records or exemption documents.
• Information regarding textbooks and workbooks your student used.
• Student’s schoolwork samples.
• Any correspondence with school officials.
• Copies of standardized test or evaluation results (if you have any).
• Any other documents showing that your child is receiving an appropriate education that is in compliance with the law.

It is recommended that records be maintained for at least two years.

And although it is not required that homeschooled children be “tested”, some states may require that homeschooled children be “evaluated” regularly to ensure academic progress.  In Colorado, it is required that evaluations take place in odd years, starting in 3^rd grade.  After a child has been evaluated, remember to submit a copy of the evaluation results to your local school district and be sure to keep a copy for yourself.     

Myth #5:  I Am the Only One Who Can Teach My Child.

If you choose to homeschool your child, it is true that you are 100% responsible for your child’s education.  However, you DO NOT have to teach your child 100% of the time.  In many states, you may be allowed to enlist help in teaching your child for some of the time.    

Here in Colorado, the law says that 51% of the schooling must be done by the parents.  The other 49% of the schooling can be done by anyone or anywhere. 

So, that means a Coloradan can homeschool their child 3 days a week and put them in a program or have a grandparent or other adult school them the other 2 days each week.  Although the parent is still responsible for teaching core subjects, the doors are open for so many possibilities for others to “help” teach additional subjects! 

I have chosen to teach my children 4 days a week.  On the fifth day, they attend a homeschooling program at a local Montessori charter school where they gather with other homeschooled children.  In this program, they participate in group projects, science, art, music, P.E. and, of course, they get to socialize.  They are also included in any events and sports that occur at the school. So, it ends up being a real nice balance for us. 

If you look hard enough, you are certain to find homeschooling groups in your area.  There are also several institutions that have homeschooling programs, including museums, zoos, botanical gardens, even fitness facilities. 

You may even find another family that is interested in sharing homeschooling responsibilities.  Perhaps they are really good at teaching math and science and you are better equipped to teaching English and social studies.  All you must do is keep an open mind, look, and ask.

Myth #6:  I Will Be Required to Homeschool My Child 6 to 8 Hours Each Day.

Each state has its own regulations.  However, I imagine they are not vastly different. 

In Colorado, the law says that you must spend 172 days each year schooling your child an average of 4 hours a day, or 688 hours per year.   

That being said, there is A LOT of room for interpretation here!  And note that those hours DO NOT have to be out of a textbook. 

In fact, I know a number of parents that only spend 2 hours a day homeschooling their child.  They may just take less breaks during the year and homeschool right on through the summer, thereby still meeting the 688 hours a year schooling quota.  What really matters is that the child is learning important information for their level of learning. 

If you look online at your state’s Department of Education website, you will find a guide to academic standards by grade level, that will list things your child should learn.  What’s most important is that you can check most of these items off the list, as your child learns them. 

The beauty of homeschooling is that children are not learning to pass a test.  They are learning to learn skills that will help them learn for the rest of their lives.  And these lists online will give us a guide as to what other kids are learning at the same level. 

If your child does not learn a particular skill in 2^nd grade when other children are learning it, it is not the end of the world.  Add this to your list of things to teach next year, if you think it is an important skill for them to learn.  However, it is very likely that your child will be learning things that children are not learning in school yet, setting them beyond other children in their age group.

Myth #7:  My Homeschool Year Should Start When the Public Schools in My Area Start.

Not true!  You can begin and end your school year whenever you want to!  You are the teacher, after all!

We generally start our school year when the school district in our area starts, just because my kids are in programs in a local school.  But you certainly don’t have to.

I have heard of parents not completely stopping their schooling during any given year.  They simply take longer breaks during the year to accommodate for their plans. 

Some parents do not school during ski season since they spend so much time in the mountains!  Others take breaks to go on vacation, while others are in session.  Still others have taken breaks when a family event is occurring, such as a baby being born, and starting back up after 3 or 4 months. 

The point is it is completely up to you.  There is no authority that mandates a set schedule for homeschoolers.  You are free to be flexible!

Myth #8:  My Child Will Become Socially Weird If I Homeschool Them.

I can’t tell you how many times I was told my kids would be weird if I homeschooled them.  And all I can say is, well, isn’t everyone kind of weird?  What makes my kids or your kids different?  There are plenty of kids that attend public school that are weird.  I think being weird is actually kind of normal! 

The truth is children have their own personalities and there isn’t much that can be done to make your child introverted or extroverted.  After all, they are who they are. 

Consider this.  An introverted child may do better being homeschooled, where they have less anxiety about learning around peers.  Likewise, an extroverted child may have more opportunities to be social when homeschooled, since they may have more free time to pursue their interests.  Homeschooling really does tailor the experience to the child.   

As I said earlier, I put my children in a homeschooling program at a local Montessori charter school.  But there are other options, too.  You could enroll your child in a sports or dance program with the local recreation center, they can join girl scouts, boy scouts, book club, chess club, Lego club, coding club, and so on and so forth. 

And if you are looking for more of an educational angle, you may even be able to find a Classical Conversations group in your area.  It is my understanding that these groups meet once a week and focus on writing and speaking skills amongst the group, which sounds fantastic!    

You may even be able to join a local homeschooling group on Facebook, or other social media, which plans play dates and field trips with other homeschooling families.  There are always plenty of opportunities to be social if you look for them.

Myth #9:  I Will Ruin My Child by Homeschooling Them.

Don’t even think that way!  Instead, think, “how can any parent that loves their child and has their best interest at heart go wrong?”  You just can’t! 

It’s true that every homeschooling family has setbacks and pitfalls.  I certainly have my days when I want to pull my hair out.  It can be tough trying to work, make meals, give baths, do the shopping, keep the house clean and homeschool on top of it all.  It’s a lot for any parent to handle some days. 

But then there are those days when it all just happens magically.  And those are the days to hold on to.  Because they really do happen. 

And when they don’t, you have to give yourself a break, let some things go that aren’t really that important and have a glass of wine if you need to! 

I hope these truths about homeschooling put you at ease this year and allow you to enjoy your chosen path of homeschooling your child.  I just want to end on one final piece of advice I received from a former homeschooling mom. 

“The first year of homeschooling is a mulligan!” 

So, don’t be so hard on yourself…enjoy your child and enjoy the ride!  

What myths have you debunked since you started homeschooling?  Please do share below! 

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