Where to start?

[Imaweeble]

Hi all,

We have recently moved house and have applied to several local schools, 1 which we really like has accepted our 5 & 7 year old but they have no space for or 10 year old, so until a space becomes available we are going to keep him home and home school him. I just don't know where to start with learning etc, the other 2 start their school tomorrow so ideally I would like to start the learning then. Do I need any special books or curriculum matter that he needs to follow or is it just to go with my instinct? Tia for any advice

Find out about other home educators in your area as a first step - there may well be lots on that you can join in with. (workshops, activities, classes, social meet ups)

There are no required subjects, curricula or methods. You can do whatever seems right to you. It doesn't have to involve school-style learning.

You don't have to be in any hurry as you will cover loads with one-to-one attention focused on your child's own needs and interests. But if you are super keen to "do something" tomorrow, you could visit a museum, or go to the library and grab an armful of books which appeal.

Thank you both so much for the replies, sorry I have only just seen them. I will definitely look into other home ed in our area and see if there are any groups we can join in on.

I have had a look for books on Amazon but there are so many and I don't want to get him he wrong ones, I think I will get some similar to the homework books he used to get from his old school.

Did he like the homework books he used to get from school? If not, look for something which actually excites him. A great thing about home education is that you don't have to do the same thing as everyone else, but can follow your own child's interests.

Most kids aren't very excited about workbooks and prefer to learn in other ways. But if it workbooks are right for your child, you could take him to WH Smiths and let him sit and have a good look at all the ones on offer so he can choose what he likes best.

He used to have a real passion for school and he was great at all his subjects but then he had a less encouraging teacher in year 4 and he lost all interest. I did ask him last week what he wanted to do and he said he used to like the cbbc website so he sat down and played some of the educational games on that but I know this isn't the best way to teach him. I think I will do as you say, take him to a bookstore and see what he likes. Thank you so much for all your help

Cbeebies games is a perfectly legitimate starting point. Follow the child's interests! Some of my family's most educational conversations happen in the car on the way somewhere, or on a walk, etc. It doesn't have to happen with text books, work books etc, certainly not while finding your feet!

My son has been working through cgp maths practise book for 11+ And I really like it. I think, even if not doing 11+, it would be pretty good as a starting point for that age.

HI there, I home educate my 5 children ages 13, 10, 8, 5 & 2. They've never been to school. When I started years ago there weren't many home edders around but now there is so much available to us. I started a blog which has been added to Home ed UK if you want to check out theworldistheirclassroom.blogspot.com or you can follow our journey on instagram @ theworldistheirclassroom my advice would be to remember it's not 'school at home' so they do not have to be sat with paper and pencil. Just follow their interests and grab any learning opportunities that arise. Hope all goes well for you all.