Homeschooling is an incredible method of delivering quality education. There are very few educational methods that allow for the same degree of one-one-one, individualized attention to a student’s learning. As many a homeschooling family will tell you, there are an abundance of rewards that come from shaping and forming their children – both academically and personally – through homeschooling. However, it is not without its challenges and should therefore, never be entered into rashly. Looking at the “why” or “why not” issue of homeschooling, there are several things that you will want to have in your personal skill set in order to begin homeschooling. Six, in fact. If you spend time to build a solid foundation with these six “C’s,” your homeschool program will be off to the right start and everyone in your home will be better off because of them.

The first thing that you will need is to have identifiable core values for your home and homeschool. Some things will be foundational to your needs and desires. You must start here. Create a personal vision statement for your homeschool. Identify the skills, traits, and knowledge base that will be the expected results for your children, and then be sure to include the training that they will need along the way. Aim high, but do not waiver on your core values.

Commitment, the next requirement, will also be called for. Once you know what your values are and where you are going with your child, then you will need to make the decisions and choices necessary to fully commit to your homeschool program. This may mean adjusting an income, reducing expenses, juggling careers, or other unique adaptations to fit your program, but the adult members of your family will need to be “sold-out” and dedicated to the goals of your homeschool program. It is also extremely helpful to have the commitment and support of extended family as well.

After you have identified your core values and are sure that the commitment issues are resolved, you will be ready to select your curricula. The homeschool market is flooded with many, many options for this, so you will want to spend some time researching what is out there. Curricula should meet all of the state requirements in your area, but it should go beyond just meeting basic skills. Good curricula should teach students how to learn, how to plan out their work, how to study and write. All of these seem obvious, but many curricula omit these skills and only focus on workbooks and charted tasks. Be sure that the curriculum you choose is one that promotes solid academic behaviors, not just assignments.

Consistency, your next need for an effective homeschool program, will be the biggest challenge. This is true for parenting, it is true for dieting, it is true for exercising, it is true for yard work, and the list goes on. Homeschooling is no different. You will need to be consistent in sticking to your values, carrying out the work, striving for excellence, and doing those things all over again when the weather is warm and pretty and the butterflies fly by. You will have to keep up the good work at home when your children want to go see a movie. School done at home can allow for flexibility in your hours, your schedule, or your days of work, but, school must be done – consistently – in order for students to thrive and grow academically.

A counselor or coach will also be an invaluable tool for you. This would be a person to whom you are accountable as an educator at home. This could be a spouse, a mentor, or a paid homeschool coach. Having someone serve as an accountability partner will help keep your focus on your values and goals, keeping them in the forefront of your schedules and decisions. Your homeschool program will be far more effective when you know someone will be asking how your progress is going, than it will be if you are on your own.

On-going conversation is the final need for effective homeschooling. You must be willing to engage in a continuing dialog with your spouse, children, and coach so that adjustments to your vision and goals can be made as necessary without hindering overall progress. Homeschooling is a “living” school, and retooling your program may be necessary from time to time.

Consider the “C’s” – and take the time necessary to build this foundation into your homeschool program.