Should I Homeschool My Child?
- Abbie Cameron
- Jul 23
- 4 min read
Key Considerations Before Making the Leap
Deciding whether or not to homeschool your child is not a small decision. There is so much to consider when making this decision, such as curriculum, accommodations, social connections and more. For some families, homeschooling offers flexibility and personalization. For others, the thoughts of taking on the responsibility or teaching, accommodating and socializing your child can be extremely overwhelming. So how do you decide if homeschooling is right for your family?
We are here to help you by providing key considerations to guide your decision.
1- Teaching / Facilitating the Curriculum
You don’t need to be a certified teacher to homeschool, but you do need to be willing to take on the role of facilitator, mentor, and guide. Some families choose to follow their provincial curriculum closely, while others opt for a more flexible or interest-led approach.
Curriculum options include:
Provincial curriculum (e.g., Ontario Curriculum) – helpful for families who want to stay aligned with grade-level expectations.
Charlotte Mason, Montessori, or Waldorf – for more holistic, child-led approaches.
Online structured programs – such as Time4Learning, Khan Academy, or virtual schools, which can help guide your day.
Unschooling – for families who prioritize autonomy, exploration, and real-life learning over structured content. However, parents must notify their local school bard with their intent.
Think about your child’s learning style and your comfort level. Will your child thrive with structure or need room for flexibility? Are you open to learning alongside them?
2- Providing an Accommodating and Supportive Environment
One of the best benefits of homeschooling is that you can adapt the environment to your child’s needs – especially for neurodivergent learners or those with disabilities. You can ensure that your child's learning needs are being met and you can control sensory input, pacing, workload, and the format of instruction. Knowing that your child's needs are being met and accommodations are being implemented is a great relief, But that also means you are the one doing the adapting.
Perhaps considering asking yourself the following questions:
Do I have the time and energy to tailor lessons and respond with flexibility?
Will I need external supports like tutors, therapists, or specialists?
Is my home set-up in a way that supports engaging learning without becoming overwhelming.
Note: Homeschooling does not mean you are doing it alone! However, it does mean planning intentionally.
3- Ensuring and Maintaining Social Connection with Other Children
One of the biggest worries families have is about socialization. But social connection doesn’t only happen in classrooms. It happens through sports, local homeschool co-ops, community centres, part-time programs, and peer-led learning pods.
Explore options like:
Local homeschool groups or “pods” – small communities of homeschooling families who meet regularly for group learning, field trips, and playdates.
Hybrid learning programs – where your child attends part-time or virtual classes with peers.
Extracurriculars – art, sports, scouts, robotics, or library programs.
Volunteer or community service – for teens and older students to build social and leadership skills.
Ask local Facebook groups or homeschooling organizations what’s available in your area, many have regular meet-ups or shared lesson plans.
4- Your Childs Thoughts on Homeschooling
Your child’s voice matters. While you may be making this decision as a parent, involving your child in the conversation can set the stage for better cooperation and motivation down the road.
Questions to ask together:
What parts of school do they enjoy , and what’s not working?
What would an ideal learning day look like for them?
Are they excited about more flexibility, or anxious about missing friends?
Their answers might surprise you and they’ll help you co-create a learning experience that truly fits.
Ask yourself WHY you are choosing to homeschool your child.
There is a difference between choosing homeschool because something is not working, versus choosing homeschool because you see a better path forward. BOTH are very valid, but your long-term success may depend on reframing your decision from "escape" to "intention"
Make sure you are considering:
You intention and goals for homeschooling.
What values or priorities you want to bring into your learning space.
How will you measure whether this choice is working - both for you as a parent and your child.
IMPORTANT NOTE
Be sure to review the Ontario Ministry of Education’s official documents and policy memorandums for up-to-date information on homeschooling procedures and requirements.
All in all, there is no right way to homeschool or right or wrong decision - only what works best for your little learner. It is all about who your child is and their personal goals and needs.
Reach out to us for educational support from our school psychologists and OCT-certified teachers. WonderTree is always happy to support and guide you in making the best decision for your child’s learning journey.
If you want to get started on support first:
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IMPORTANT: Information shared by WonderTree is not intended to replace or be constituted as clinical or medical care. It’s intended for educational purposes only. Each child is unique, and the information provided may not be applicable to your specific situation. If you need support, please establish care with a licensed provider so that they can provide tailored recommendations for you or your child. This blog is non-monetized.
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