When to Start Homeschooling? [What Age to Start]

Wondering when to start Homeschooling? There is no right age to start homeschooling your child. You can start homeschooling your child at any age. However, legally the right age to start homeschooling varies from state to state and depends upon the child’s cognitive and emotional development.

What is the importance of choosing the right age to start homeschooling?

Younger children need more interactive and play-based learning while older children may benefit from more focussed and structured learning. If you wish to tailor your child’s curriculum from the start of their educational journey it is essential to start early.

An early start would help parents build strong foundational skills in literacy and numeracy. Being homeschooled at the beginning stages of the child’s educational journey would help your child adapt to the mode of education better.

However, if you start late the child is more emotionally and socially prepared for the transition.

Your child has already developed a circle of friends from public schools, so socialization is not a major concern.

Older children may require a more structured and focused academic schedule which can be better achieved through homeschooling.

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Factors to consider when deciding the start age:

Physical Developmental

Physical development is a crucial aspect to consider when determining if your child is ready to be homeschooled.

Your child should possess fine motor skills. Fine motor skills involve the use of small muscles in the hands and fingers which are essential for holding a pencil, or crayon.

Activities like buttoning clothes, zipping zippers, and tying shoelaces are indicators of fine motor skills.

Sensory Development in the child will keep them focused on activities without being overly distracted by external stimuli.

If your child can follow instructions and pay attention to small tasks, it shows they are ready to begin learning.

Cognitive Development

Cognitive Development in a child refers to the process by which a child understands the world around them through thinking and reasoning.

An indicator of increased concentration is your child can focus on tasks assigned for extended periods.

The ability to stay focused is essential for completing assignments and understanding lessons.

If your child does not have difficulty recalling past activities, it is an indicator that they have developed long-term memory.

Strong language skills are necessary for effective communication, reading, and writing.

The child’s natural curiosity and eagerness to learn can drive the child’s learning process. They show interest in exploring new topics and ask questions often.

These skills are a sign that your child can process information and is ready for structured learning.

Social and Emotional Development

Social and emotional development is essential for children to work alongside parents and homeschooling tutors with a positive attitude.

Emotionally developed children carry a positive attitude towards difficulties and express themselves effectively.

Indicators of an emotionally developed child are they can manage their emotions and behaviors in various situations.

They interact well with peers and adults, showing appropriate communication skills.

They demonstrate an understanding of others’ feelings and perspectives and can work cooperatively with peers. At the same time, they can work independently without constant supervision.

Parental Readiness

Parents need not be experts in every subject, however, the willingness to teach their child is essential.

Parents should be ready to invest themselves emotionally and physically. You should evaluate whether you are prepared to take on the significant responsibility of educating your child at home.

Homeschooling requires a substantial time commitment. For parents who cannot commit to a rigorous timetable, a homeschooling tutor would be beneficial.

Wiingy provides 1-on-1 personalized learning tailored to your child’s individual needs. Homeschool tutoring offers personalized attention that adapts to each student’s unique learning pace and style.

Wiingy helps your child develop strong foundational skills in 350+ subjects through affordable tutoring starting at just $28/hr.

If you are looking for a flexible academic schedule to balance your child’s time, Wiingy has you covered. You can find tutors for personalized tutoring that can support your homeschooling journey through its unique services. Discover Wiingy’s Approach to Homework Help, which supports students beyond the classroom.

A free trial lesson lets your child connect with their potential tutor, providing a feel for the tutoring experience first-hand before committing to paid lessons.

Wiingy’s algorithm understands your child’s specific learning needs and matches you with the ideal tutor. If your tutor match isn’t perfect, Wiingy’s Perfect Match Guarantee program promises a replacement tutor at no additional cost.

Starting homeschooling at a later stage

1. Tailor education to specific needs.

Signs that it is time for you to switch your child’s schooling:

You feel your child’s specific learning needs or interests are not being met in traditional schools.

Your child experiences potential gaps in knowledge, and the school’s pace is too fast for your child.

The child requires external support that traditional school teachers are unable to provide.

Homeschooling will allow you the flexibility to address your child’s strengths and weaknesses. They offer a personalized approach that traditional, fast-paced schools may not provide due to their lack of individualized attention.

2. Academic or Social Issues

If your child is facing bullying the best solution to deal with it is to switch to homeschooling.

Filtering their pool of friends would give parents a sense of satisfaction that their child is no longer surrounded by potential bullies.

Bullying can significantly damage children’s self-esteem, leading many parents to opt for homeschooling to avoid external hindrances in their learning process.

Homeschooling can provide a safer and more supportive environment.

Homeschooling is also beneficial for children who have a strong interest in a particular sport and wish to pursue it full-time. It will provide the flexibility to focus on these interests.

3. Greater Child Involvement

If your child has experienced traditional school teaching and believes that self-study would help them better, consider opting for homeschooling.

Students assume a greater role in their learning journey. This responsibility fosters independence, self-discipline, and a personalized approach to education that is rarely matched in conventional schools.

The student is responsible for setting personal learning goals, managing time effectively, and seeking out resources that align with their interests and needs.

Creating their schedules, managing timelines, and prioritizing tasks help students develop self-regulation skills.

These skills prepare students for future academic pursuits and professional environments where self-management is crucial.

Federal and State Laws for Homeschooling

Homeschooling is legal in all 50 states of the US. However, each state has different state homeschooling regulations.

Some states accept a parent-issued diploma and a transcript to demonstrate that a child has completed a secondary education. Others would require legal documents from a recognized accredited school.

New York has some of the most difficult to satisfy homeschooling rules with quarterly reports, mandatory testing, and subject sets while Alaska has the easiest homeschool laws with no restrictions.

Each state requires you to start homeschooling your child by a certain age and stop at a certain age. Here is a list of US cities with the required ages for homeschooling:

Cities	School Required for Ages	Notification Required	Assessment Requirements	Teacher Qualifications
Alabama	6-17	Yes	No	No
Alaska	7-16	No	No	No
Arizona	6-16	Yes	No	No
California	6-18	Yes	No	No
Connecticut	5-18	No	No	No
Florida	6-16	No	No	No
Georgia	6-16	Yes	Yes	Yes
Hawaii	5-18	Yes	Yes	No
Illinois	6-17	No	No	No
Massachusetts	6-16	Yes	Yes	No
New Jersey	6-16	No	No	No
New Mexico	5-18	Yes	No	Yes
New York	6-16/17	Yes	Yes	No
Ohio	6-18	Yes	No	No
Pennsylvania	6-18	Yes	No	No
Texas	6-19	No	No	No
Vermont	6-16	Yes	Yes	No
Washington	8-18	Yes	Yes	Yes

List of US Cities

FAQs on When to Start Homeschooling

Can I send my child back to school if I need to?

Yes, you can send your child back to school after homeschooling. You can apply to any specific school and you are treated like a new applicant. Families usually transition between homeschooling and traditional schooling to tailor to their child’s needs.
The school may conduct an assessment to determine the appropriate grade level for your child.
In a few cases, you might need to provide records of the progress of the child and standardized reports for the time the child was homeschooled.

Do you get money for homeschooling USA?

In the United States, homeschooling families generally do not receive direct financial assistance or funding from the government or taxpayers.
However, in some US States, there are empowerment scholarships. Read your state’s rules and regulations regarding homeschooling before starting the journey to avail all the benefits and resources provided by the government.

What homeschool curriculum is best for my child?

Homeschooling programs set guidelines to help your child stay organized, and save time while maximizing efficiency. Selecting the ideal homeschool curriculum is crucial for the child’s educational journey. Here is a list of the top Homeschooling curriculum providers:
1. Calvert Academy
2. Time4Learning
3. Khan Academy
4. Forest Trail Academy
5. Mia Academy
6. Oak Meadow

How does Homeschooling affect college admissions?

Homeschooling does not affect college admissions. Homeschoolers get accepted to colleges as often as their peers in traditional schools.
According to the National Home Research Institute, home-educated students typically score above average on the SAT and ACTs that colleges consider for admissions.
UNC-Chapel Hill admitted 47% of homeschoolers, while their standard admission rate is closer to 17%.
According to the Dean of Undergraduate Admissions at Duke University, Christoph Guttentag, homeschool applicants are admitted at rates comparable to the overall applicant pool.
The United States Air Force Academy offers homeschoolers advice on an admissions webpage and indicates that “homeschooled students are as competitive for appointment to the United States Air Force Academy as any other applicant.”