How to start homeschooling our special needs twins is next on the list of ‘to dos’. In my previous post I spoke about the ‘why’ of homeschooling but nothing is going to happen without the ‘how’. As we’ve decided to only start next year, it gives us some time to really plan how this is all going to work.

How to Start Homeschooling in Terms of a Curriculum

This is certainly a huge element of homeschooling and will most certainly merit its own post. But as I do research I find that a curriculum, although great in giving structure and ideas, can be constrictive. As it stands now, I’m planning to create something for the boys that will engage them. If this means forest walks and dinosaur themed everything, then so be it.  I’m going to let them take the lead because I believe that they do have a genuine interest in learning. They just have an issue concentrating and staying engaged for long enough. I’m leaning towards a combination of Montessori learning (for practical life and tactile learning) and Waldorf learning (for nature, society, creativity, art and music).

How to Start Homeschooling in Terms of a School Space

As a chronic over thinker of the logistic of things, I have decided to not stress about this point. Obviously it would be great to have a dedicated space. And if you have the opportunity to have a dedicated homeschool space, then take advantage of it! We live in a tiny place and there’s not really anywhere for creating a ‘homeschool’ as such. But I do believe that learning can happen anywhere. We have a nice big dining room table and of course all the forests, beaches, lagoons, rivers and mountains one could ask for.

How to Start Homeschooling in Terms of ‘School at Home’

As with anything, my kids do best when prepped well in advance. This could be something as simple as going to the shop. They need to be given boundaries and also a sequence of events so as not to get overwhelmed. The same will go for ‘school at home’. They are still not 100% keen on going to school and often will still cry or refuse to enter the classroom, much to the dismay of their teacher. So I have planted the seeds of ‘teacher mummy’ and ‘school at home’. And we will be having a deschooling period. They’re obviously not sure of the actual practicalities of this but are interested in these concepts. When we’ve actually started school, there will also be a visual schedule that will help them to cope with the learning day.

How to Start Homeschooling in Terms of Socialisation

One of the ‘issues’ that has been highlighted a number of times by teachers and therapists, is the kids’ lack of desire to socialise with other kids. I believe this has a lot to do with the fact that they’re twins and that they’re incredibly close to each other. They really cannot stand to be apart and aren’t really bothered with others. That being said, school has been great in ‘forcing’ them to interact with other children. It’s a shame to lose this aspect of school so we intend to send the kids to aftercare in the afternoons. This will give us the chance to work and the kids the chance to socialise.

How to Start Homeschooling in Terms of Work

Both my husband and I are lucky enough to work freelance and from home. We’ll be sharing some of the duties of homeschooling, schedule permitting for my husband. I think one of the best things about having a home school is the flexibility that it affords. Between the two of us, we will manage, as we do with everything. It’s teamwork all the way.

Over to You

The reason I started this blog is to tell our story and to also get loads of advice. For those who have already started homeschooling, I would love to hear your experiences. Please drop me an email or leave me a comment. I’m looking forward to connecting to other parents like us.