Using Instagram to Document your Homeschool Journey

Using Instagram to record homeschooling can be a creative and effective way to document your homeschooling journey and share it with others. Here are some steps and tips for using Instagram for homeschooling.  Some of them are only relevant if you want to build a following.  It's also fine to have a private Instagram account and just use it for your personal record-keeping and/or share it with family members.

Create a Homeschooling Instagram Account: If you don't already have an Instagram account, create one specifically for your homeschooling content. Choose a username that reflects your homeschooling focus.  Ours is instagram.com/homeschoolconfidently.

Set Up Your Profile: Write a brief bio that explains your homeschooling approach, goals, and any other relevant information. Add a profile picture, and if comfortable, use a family photo or an image that represents your homeschool. You could make a little logo for your homeschool, if you like!  Canva is a great tool to do this.

Content Planning: Plan what kind of content you want to share. This could include daily or weekly updates, educational activities, resources, field trips, and milestones in your homeschooling journey.  

Create Engaging Content: Take photos and videos of your homeschooling activities. Showcase the learning materials, books, and resources you use. Capture moments of your children actively engaged in learning.

Caption and Hashtags: Write informative and engaging captions for your posts. Use relevant hashtags such as #Homeschooling, #LearningAtHome, or specific educational hashtags related to the subjects you're teaching. This will help your posts reach a broader audience, if that is your goal.  If it isn't, hashtags are not required.

Engage with Others: Follow other homeschooling accounts, educators, and parents who share similar interests. Like, comment on, and engage with their content. Building a supportive community can be invaluable for homeschooling.

Stories and Reels: Use Instagram Stories and Reels to share short, informative clips of your homeschooling day. These can be a great way to showcase highlights and offer quick tips if you are looking to build an audience.

Live Streams: Again, if you're looking to build an audience, consider doing occasional live streams where you discuss homeschooling topics, answer questions, or provide insights into your homeschooling routine. This can help build a more personal connection with your followers.  

Learning Resources: If community connection is your goal, share information about the curriculum, books, and resources you find helpful. This can be a valuable resource for other homeschooling parents.

Privacy and Safety: Be mindful of privacy and safety concerns. Avoid sharing personal information or anything that could compromise your family's security.  Don't post photos of other people's children on the internet without permission.

Remember that Instagram is a visual platform, so high-quality photos and videos can make your homeschooling content more engaging. Through Instagram you can inspire, educate, and connect with others who are on a similar homeschooling journey.  Or you might just want a handy online album to record your learning journey.  Either way, have fun!