Steps to Get Started Homeschooling: A Beginner’s Guide
Thinking about homeschooling but not sure where to begin? You’re not alone. For many families, the idea of homeschooling starts quietly—maybe around the kitchen table, during bedtime conversations, or after realizing your child needs something a little different.
The good news? Getting started homeschooling doesn’t have to be complicated. With a few thoughtful steps, you can build a homeschool life that feels calm, intentional, and right for your family.
Let’s walk through it together.
1. Learn Your State’s Homeschool Laws
Before you buy curriculum or plan lessons, take a moment to understand the homeschool laws in your state. Homeschool requirements vary, but may include:
Filing a notice of intent
Teaching specific subjects
Tracking attendance or keeping records
Standardized testing or evaluations
A quick visit to your state’s Department of Education website or a trusted homeschool organization can give you clarity and peace of mind. Once you know what’s required, you can move forward confidently.
2. Get Clear on Why You’re Homeschooling
Every homeschool journey begins with a “why.” Maybe you’re longing for more flexibility, a gentler pace, stronger family connections, or an education that aligns with your values.
Take a few minutes to write down what matters most to you. When homeschool days feel messy (and they will), this “why” becomes your anchor.
3. Choose a Homeschool Style (Gently)
There’s no need to have everything figured out right away. Many families start with a blend of styles and adjust as they go. Popular homeschooling approaches include:
Traditional homeschooling (textbooks and workbooks)
Charlotte Mason (living books and nature study)
Classical education
Unit studies
Eclectic homeschooling
Unschooling
You’re allowed to experiment. Homeschooling is beautifully flexible.
4. Pick Curriculum Without Overbuying
This is where many new homeschoolers feel overwhelmed—but less truly is more.
Start with the core subjects:
Math
Reading / Language Arts
Once those feel settled, you can slowly add science, history, and enrichment subjects like art or music. Whether you choose an all-in-one curriculum, individual programs, or online resources, remember: curriculum should serve your child, not the other way around.
5. Create a Simple Schedule
Homeschooling doesn’t need to look like public school at home. In fact, many families thrive with shorter, more focused days.
Consider:
4–5 school days per week
Morning lessons with relaxed afternoons
Plenty of breaks, outdoor time, and reading aloud together
For younger children, 2–4 hours a day is often plenty.
6. Set Up a Comfortable Learning Space
Your homeschool space doesn’t need to be picture-perfect. A kitchen table, a basket of books, and a few supplies are more than enough.
Focus on comfort and simplicity:
Good lighting
Easy-to-reach supplies
A space that feels welcoming, not rigid
Learning happens best where children feel at ease.
7. Gather Just the Essentials
You can always add more later. For now, keep it simple:
Pencils, crayons, markers
Paper or notebooks
Books or digital resources
Homeschooling is about learning—not having the most supplies.
8. Find Homeschool Community and Support
Homeschooling is easier (and sweeter) when you don’t do it alone.
Local homeschool groups or co-ops
Library programs
Online homeschool communities
Community offers encouragement, shared wisdom, and friendships for both parents and children.
9. Begin—and Give Yourself Grace
The first few weeks of homeschooling are a transition. Some days will feel magical. Others will feel messy. Both are normal.
Pay attention to what’s working, adjust what isn’t, and remember: progress matters more than perfection.
10. Keep Simple Homeschool Records
Even if your state doesn’t require it, record-keeping can be comforting.
Attendance
Subjects covered
Samples of work
Books read
It doesn’t have to be fancy—just enough to tell the story of your year.
A Gentle Reminder
Homeschooling isn’t about recreating school at home. It’s about creating a learning life that fits your family—one built on connection, curiosity, and care.
Take it one step at a time. You’re allowed to grow into this.
Making the Holidays Magical with Printed Homeschool Curriculum
There’s something truly special about homeschooling during the holidays. The cozy mornings, twinkling lights, and scent of something baking in the oven seem to invite us to slow down and make learning feel more magical. It’s a season filled with wonder — and your homeschool lessons can reflect that too.
At Little Hearth Printing Company, we love seeing families bring holiday learning to life with beautifully printed curriculum and unit studies. Whether you’re diving into a Christmas unit study, winter nature study, or simple Advent activities, having your materials professionally printed and spiral bound makes everything feel extra special (and saves you time for the fun stuff — like baking cookies and reading by the fire).
Why Printed Holiday Curriculum Makes a Difference
The holidays are busy enough without adding home printing to your to-do list. That’s where professional homeschool printing comes in!
Here’s why families love printing their seasonal homeschool curriculum with us:
Durable materials for hands-on learning — Our 28lb and 32lb paper keeps colorful pages bright and prevents bleed-through for projects and art-based lessons.
Spiral binding for easy use — Perfect for laying flat during cozy lessons by the Christmas tree.
Laminated covers for longevity — Keeps your favorite holiday units in great condition for years to come.
Ideas for Holiday-Themed Homeschool Units
If you’re looking for inspiration, here are some holiday unit studies families are printing right now:
In The Season of Noels- Campfire Cirriculum
Winter Holidays Unit Study- Harbor & Sprout
Cozy Winter Cabin Unit Study- Pines & Oaks LLC
Christmas Around the World- Rabbit Trails Homeschool
These kinds of lessons make homeschool feel magical — blending learning with family traditions, stories, and creativity.
Bring Warmth to Your Winter Lessons
At Little Hearth Printing Company, we believe homeschool should feel cozy, simple, and filled with heart. By printing your holiday curriculum, you can turn digital downloads into lasting keepsakes — beautiful and ready for joyful learning.
So, pour a cup of cocoa, light a candle, and let us handle the printing while you make this season meaningful.
A Simple Guide to Printing Your Homeschool Curriculum
Homeschooling gives us the freedom to create a learning space that fits our family’s rhythm — but let’s be honest, the printing side of things can get overwhelming fast. Between paper jams, low ink, crooked pages, and endless reloading of paper, it’s easy to spend more time at the printer than actually teaching.
That’s where Little Hearth Printing Company comes in — we make it easy to turn your digital curriculum into beautiful, ready-to-use homeschool materials that last all year long.
Why Print Your Curriculum?
There’s just something special about holding your lessons in your hands. Printed curriculum helps kids stay focused, reduces screen time, and makes it simple to mark pages, write notes, and revisit lessons later. It also adds a sense of structure and pride to your homeschool day — like flipping through your own little library of learning.
Our Simple Printing Process
Printing your homeschool materials doesn’t have to be complicated. Here’s how it works:
Upload your curriculum PDFs — We print resources from all your favorite curriculum companies like The Good and the Beautiful, Gather ’Round, Blossom & Root, and more.
Choose your paper and finish — Pick from standard 24lb paper for rich color and smooth writing or heavier options like 28lb or 32lb for double sided color prints.
Add finishing touches — Whether you want spiral binding, laminated covers, or hole punching, you can customize your order to fit your homeschool style.
Delivered to your door — No more waiting in line or fighting with your printer. Your homeschool curriculum arrives ready to open and enjoy.
Why Homeschool Families Love Printing with Us
We’re a small business built by a homeschool family, for homeschool families. We know what it’s like to juggle little ones and late-night prep sessions. That’s why every order is handled with care — so you can focus on teaching, not troubleshooting.
You’ll save time, reduce stress, and get professional-quality printing that makes your homeschool life feel calm, organized, and beautiful.
Ready to Simplify Your Homeschool?
If you’re ready to skip the printer chaos and start your school year with materials you love, we’re here to help. Browse our services, complete the order form, upload your files, and we’ll handle the rest.