- Thread starter
- #11
Sumi - I had the experience of both public school and homeschool as I was growing up. Public school wasn't as bad 30 years ago as it is now, but I truly enjoyed the homeschool experience. I'm a person who learns better through hands on and one on one communication. My parents made certain that I was well socialized through youth groups etc. I did graduate when I was 16. I found the Horizons curriculum to be fabulous for my daughter for pre-school http://www.nestlearning.com/horizon-preschool-complete-curriculum-and-multimedia-set_p182904.aspx
and am using the same curriculum for kindergarten for her this year. I love that school days can be flexible. If we have a day where it is sunny and bright, we can bring our learning outdoors for the day. For science (in conjunction with curriculum) I can take her straight to nature and let her see how things work right then and there. For history, we can travel! New England is filled with historical places that we'll be learning about this year. I do a lot of learning through play with her and she catches on better that way rather than sat at desk or a table for three hours straight. That does have it's time and it's place, but kids need to develop a love for learning, not have their naural curiousity squashed.
Homeschooling is NOT always the best fit for every child and parent. Many of th questions I've run up against are:
What about socialization? Well, there's co-op, swim-n-gym, play group, youth group, Heritage Girls or Girl/Boy Scouts.
What about her learning about "real life"? Whew! Just because a child is homeschooled doesn't mean they don't have a grip on reality. We have done field trip to : the fire department police, department, military bases, etc.
What about learning skills that will allow her be an adult? She's five. She doesn't need to be an adult yet, but okay - grocry store, laundermat, cooking at home with Mom, being responsible for feeding and watering pets, cleaning her room, visiting people in the hospital, earning an allowance. Those all work.
Beneficially, I have found that her ability to reason is on scale with a much older child. I do love that we can just take a day and GO somewhere, a field trip to the zoo, etc. Something to consider would be to look into the Homeschool Legal Defense Association, see what the laws in your state and county are. These folks are incredible advocates and will fight for your right to homeschool (legally of course!)
http://www.hslda.org/default.aspx
and am using the same curriculum for kindergarten for her this year. I love that school days can be flexible. If we have a day where it is sunny and bright, we can bring our learning outdoors for the day. For science (in conjunction with curriculum) I can take her straight to nature and let her see how things work right then and there. For history, we can travel! New England is filled with historical places that we'll be learning about this year. I do a lot of learning through play with her and she catches on better that way rather than sat at desk or a table for three hours straight. That does have it's time and it's place, but kids need to develop a love for learning, not have their naural curiousity squashed.
Homeschooling is NOT always the best fit for every child and parent. Many of th questions I've run up against are:
What about socialization? Well, there's co-op, swim-n-gym, play group, youth group, Heritage Girls or Girl/Boy Scouts.
What about her learning about "real life"? Whew! Just because a child is homeschooled doesn't mean they don't have a grip on reality. We have done field trip to : the fire department police, department, military bases, etc.
What about learning skills that will allow her be an adult? She's five. She doesn't need to be an adult yet, but okay - grocry store, laundermat, cooking at home with Mom, being responsible for feeding and watering pets, cleaning her room, visiting people in the hospital, earning an allowance. Those all work.
Beneficially, I have found that her ability to reason is on scale with a much older child. I do love that we can just take a day and GO somewhere, a field trip to the zoo, etc. Something to consider would be to look into the Homeschool Legal Defense Association, see what the laws in your state and county are. These folks are incredible advocates and will fight for your right to homeschool (legally of course!)
http://www.hslda.org/default.aspx
