✅ The Ultimate Modular Learning Checklist
Our quick guide to getting started with homeschooling and modular learning
When you start doing modular learning, the world is your oyster! But sometimes the plethora of options can feel overwhelming. How are you expected to sift through them all and choose what’s right for your child? You might fear that if you take too long to get started your child will be missing out on vital learning time, and fall behind.
If there’s one suggestion we’d offer, it’s to resist the impulse to set everything in stone all at once. Part of the beauty of modular learning is its inherent flexibility. You can learn about your child, what works, and adapt as they grow. Start slowly, layer one thing at a time, and you’ll be well on your way to a curated, evolving education your whole family loves.
We build this 16-item checklist to make it easy to get started, and make sure you’ve checked the important items off your list, so you can start having fun exploring all the options available to curate your child’s learning, at your own pace!
We promise going through this list will take less time than back-to-school shopping. We’ve even customized the list so visual, auditory, or kinesthetic parents can choose the medium they prefer.
The 16-item checklist
Follow these 16 easy steps to set up an intellectually engaging, socially enriching education with built-in mechanisms for accountability and support. These 16 steps will ensure your child is on track with their learning and social life, and you’re not leaving anything out!
✅ 1. Get inspired 💡
A fresh dose of inspiration never hurts, to strengthen your resolve and give you a felt sense of what modular learning looks like in practice.
⏳ Time: 20 minutes to five hours
💰 Cost: Free to $15 (if you want to buy the book)
Start your journey by watching a Ted Talk, reading a book or watching a podcast about modular learning.
Some ideas to get you started and give you a general overview of modular learning:
Watch: Do Schools Kill Creativity? by Ken Robinson on Youtube (20mins)
Read: Dumbing us Down: The Hidden Curriculum of Compulsory Schooling by NYC’s teacher of the year, John Gatto (4-5 hours)
Listen to: “Adventures in Free-Range Learning” on Janet Lansbury’s podcast, Unruffled (33 minutes)
For a deeper dive, read our post: “21 statistics and trends that show homeschooling is the future of school”
✅ 2. Learn how to communicate with your child👂🏻
Building a foundation for developmentally appropriate, effective communication around learning will support your family immensely, whether they’re doing modular learning as a replacement or supplement to school
⏳ Time: 4-5 hours and an ongoing journey
💰 Cost: Free to $15
You may be surprised to see how applying a few simple techniques can transform your conversations with your child around education and social-emotional development.
Watch Communicating with children, our interview with Bank Street College of Education Professor Deb Vilas
🐬 For a deeper dive, read our post:
✅ 3. Join an Online Community 🌐
Get support from others who have walked this path before you.
⏳ Time: 5 minutes
💰 Cost: Free to $150/annually
It’s helpful to have experienced modular learners to give you insights and support along the way. Join a tech-savvy global online group for homeschooling families.
We recommend:
SEA Homeschoolers on Facebook
/homeschool on Reddit
Our own community, Modulo! If you’re not already a member, join the Modulo Learning Community to connect with brilliant families and get expert support from learning and child life specialist.
🐬 If you’re not already a member, join here for personalized tips, and unlimited support from peers and experts.
✅ 4. Register as a homeschooler
Complete necessary paperwork, and make sure you’re in compliance with local and state laws.
⏳ Time: 5 minutes
💰 Cost: Free
Check local homeschooling laws on the Department of Education website in your city and state.
These laws can be easily found by googling: “homeschool [name of city] department of education”
Sometime the laws can seem a bit confusing, so
Most states have contact information for the homeschooling coordinator. Feel free to reach out to them to clarify any questions. That’s their job which your hard-earned tax dollars help fund.
It can also. be helpful to reach out to your local Facebook or Unschooling group to clarify any confusing points. Some states are more homeschool-friendly than other, so you can’t 100% count on getting accurate information about your rights from the homeschool coordinator employed by your city.
✅ 5. Make friends (for your child AND YOU!)💞
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