How to Teach a Subject You Don’t Know: 10 Tips for Homeschool Parents

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Over the years that I’ve homeschooled, I’ve talked to a lot of parents who are really interested in homeschooling (especially since the craziness of 2020 and beyond). 

But one thing that holds a lot of people back from jumping in is a fear that maybe you can relate to: 

“How do I teach a subject I don’t know?”

Listen . . . this is a very common and valid concern. After all, most parents aren’t teachers . . . nor do we know everything about everything. 

So how do you make sure your child has a comprehensive and well-rounded education? Here are 10 tips to keep in mind as you navigate your family’s homeschool journey.

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Stay just one step ahead

You don’t have to go into a subject knowing everything . . . you just need to know more than your child knows. Which means with a little planning, you can keep a bit ahead of them as you work your way through the subject. Even learning what you need to teach one week at a time can help a lot! 

If the idea of planning a curriculum AND learning as you go sounds a bit stressful, you can always go the route of using a full curriculum package (more on that later), looking at the lesson’s ahead of time, and then using resources like YouTube to brush up (or learn) any concepts that you don’t have a full grasp of. Remember, the goal isn’t to learn everything all in one go — it’s just to get through the next week of lessons. 

Learn as a family

If staying ahead of your child seems overwhelming (or not viable), there’s absolutely no shame in learning WITH your children. In fact, I think there’s something empowering and inspirational about admitting to your child that you don’t know everything, but that you’re willing to learn. It sends out the message that there’s always room in life to learn something new or to get better at something!

Tap into educational resources 

The beauty of living in the information and internet age is that we have a world of resources available to us . . . often with just a few keystrokes on your favorite device. Between books, subscription boxes, YouTube, websites, and streaming platforms (like Discovery+, Wondrium, or even Netflix, Hulu, or Disney+), the options for free and paid resources can’t be beat! You can find resources for general subjects as well as super specific niches. 

Utilize online classes

When it comes to online educational resources, I absolutely have to mention online curricula and classes. There are so many great options out there . . . and they’re really helpful for those of us who need (or just want) some support in making sure our kids are getting a great education. 

The great thing about online curricula is that they’re often developed (and taught) by people who ARE experts or who are really passionate about a subject. So whether you choose one that’s parent-taught, one that includes video lessons, or ones that have actual teachers, you can feel more confident in what your child is learning. 

One resource that my family (parents and kids alike) really enjoys is Outschool. Outschool is a global learning platform that offers a variety of engaging, small-group classes online. What we love most about it is that it goes beyond just the traditional classes (although you can find those there too) and gives kids the chance to explore a wide variety of interests in-depth, in an interactive environment. 

Whether your kids want to conquer math, dig deeper into literature, or learn about astrophysics (definitely not one of my strong suits!), they've got you covered. You'll find over 8000+ expert educators (many with advanced degrees in their field) ready to help your kids develop skills to help them thrive.

Outschool really gives you the freedom to build an entire curriculum of classes that will engage and delight your children. And that’s amazing because it helps kids develop a love of learning!

Hire a tutor

Of course, another option for making sure your child learns a subject is to hire a personal tutor OR to utilize a tutoring service. Both of these are fantastic options — whether your child needs help with the subject as a whole or just needs some added support when struggling with certain content areas. 

You can find local tutors by connecting with other parents, the library, or even the local school system. They may all be able to point you in the right direction. Outschool offers private classes and tutoring sessions, and there are also other online resources like Tutor.com that can help you find the perfect tutor for your child, budget, and schedule.

Recruit people in your network

Hiring a tutor not in your budget or prefer to have people you know and trust teaching your kids? Tap into your personal network! You may have friends or family members who are passionate about or experts in a particular topic who would LOVE the chance to pass their knowledge on to the next generation. 

You can also widen your net a bit by reaching out to people in your community to find out who may be willing to mentor your child in various subjects. You may even find some who are willing to take your child on as an intern or apprentice of sorts. It never hurts to ask!

Teach your kids how to learn

Instead of focusing so much on teaching your children everything, make it a priority to guide them on how to learn. After all, that’s a life skill that will serve them well . . . not just in academia, but in the real world as well! 

You can do this by helping them figure out how to use the resources at their disposal to get the information they need. When you look at your role as more of a facilitator, you not only take some of the pressure off, you also empower your child to take a more active role in their education. You might be surprised by the directions they choose to take!

Join co-ops

 Love the idea of connecting with other homeschoolers? Check out some local homeschool co-ops to see what they have to offer! The beauty of homeschool co-ops is that they are so varied. So you can often participate in multiple co-ops and gain different benefits from each one. 

Go on field trips

Another great way to explore a subject with your kids is to go on fun, educational field trips. And when you keep an open mind about what can qualify as a field trip, the possibilities are nearly endless. Here are some ideas to get you started: 

• Museums 
• Zoos/Petting zoos
• Police and fire stations
• Courthouses
• Government buildings
• Banks 
• Nature centers
• National parks
• Farms (including specific ones like bee and dairy farms)
• Theater performances
• Sporting events
• Animal shelters
• Orchards
• Community gardens
• Festivals
• Greenhouses
• Planetariums
• Aquariums
• Art galleries
• Libraries 
• Parks 
• University campuses
• Geocaching
• Local clubs and organizations
• Airports
• Local TV/Radio stations
• Historical sites
• Wildlife refuges

Give yourself grace

Last, but not least, give yourself a bit of grace. Because guess what? Not even licensed teachers are experts in every subject! Many teachers specialize in specific subjects — especially the ones teaching beyond the elementary school level. If they’re not expected to be masters of every subject, there’s no reason to expect that of yourself! Lean into your strengths and use the tips above to fill in the gaps. 

I hope this has helped give you a boost of confidence . . . and an action plan for how to make the most of your family’s homeschooling journey!

Tell me: Which of these tips resonates the most with you? Let me know in the comments!

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