The ChildPsychologist

Parents will appreciate practical advice on getting started, adjusting to new roles, designing curriculum that is both child-centered and fun, and planning for social and emotional growth. Parents will turn to their favorite chapters again and again.

Features interviews and tips from many homeschool parents as well as long lists of resources.

-Reasons to home-school

-How gifted children learn

-Positive changes for the family

-"Big Ideas" thematic approach

-Traditional and classical approaches

-Curriculum resources

-Record keeping

-College planning

-How to get started

-Interviews with parents

Tens of millions of parents have decided that the best way to prepare their children for life is by educating them at home instead of at a traditional private or public school. No matter the reason you are considering homeschooling for your children's education, Absolute Beginner's Guide to Homeschooling outlines all of the legal, social, educational, and logistical considerations that are part of the decision. With helpful and easy-to-read advice about everything from building curricula and setting up a home school classroom, to incorporating extracurricular activities like sports and field trips, this book will provide valuable help and ways to expand your children's homeschooling experience.

Absolute Beginner's Guide to Homeschooling will help you decide if homeschooling is the best choice for your children's education and then guide you to the curriculum tools and community resources you need to make the most of at-home classes and activities. Here's a small sample of what you'll find inside:

Learn the benefits and drawbacks of homeschooling and all of the factors you need to take into account when deciding between home school and traditional public or private schools

Determine the legal and educational requirements for the state you live in and how they affect your day-to-day homeschooling regimen

Find valuable lists of resources like homeschooling organizations, curriculum providers, and networking groups that will enhance your homeschooling experience

Discover the different ways you can test your child's true educational level, personality type, and learning style and then create personalized lesson plans for each subject

Set up your homeschooling classroom including workstations, a library, audio-visual equipment, computer access, and progress testing

Add unique learning experiences to your homeschooling curriculum, including field trips, sports, music, work or volunteer activities, online courses, and tutor or mentor programs

Brad Miser has been involved in the homeschooling movement for more than ten years and, with his wife, has educated his three children at home. He has been active in teaching his children as well as working on curriculum decisions, testing and evaluating progress, and finding ways to create a fun and valuable learning experience for them. Brad is currently the senior technical communicator with a software development company where he is responsible for all product documentation and online help systems. He is also a well-known computer book author writing on topics such as Macintosh operating systems, digital video, and digital audio.