Pre School, Home school?
July 23, 2008 - 8:46 am 9 Comments
Due to high gas prices, and private pre school prices, we’ve decided not to send our 3 year old to pre school until next year, when he can go to the public school pre school.
So, I got to thinking about the possibility of doing some sort of home school program for him a couple of times a week. I have a few friends who have home schooled their children during that time, and wondering what you all think about that? What works, and what doesn’t? How much “school,” is necessary? How was your experience?
July 23rd, 2008 at 1:06 pm
As a mother of 4 (all out of the preschool age now), I can say it’s not an easy decision to make at all. Each child is different and so is each decision concerning their schooling.
As a preschool teacher for many years, I’ve seen many children the same approximate age who are so vastly different in many ways. Some are ready for school at age three and some are not.
Schooling them at home is a great way to spend time with them and discover even more ways they are unique. Personally, I would try to “school” them so much as just spend some structured time with them one-on-one. Just reading, coloring, creating with different items, etc. is a great education for young children!
I’ve got tons of ideas and resources! Send me an email if you’d like some of them.
Beth
July 23rd, 2008 at 2:56 pm
I was homeschooled. If you’re going to do it:
1) Do EVERYTHING you can to teach your kids to LOVE to read, but I caution against using those LeapFrog audio books, only because I don’t believe teach kids to learn to actively read. It only teaches them how to memorize, but if you can teach your kids to begin critically thinking earlier on, the more they will be prepared for college.
2) Socialize them.
3) Make as involved in the process as you can.
Granted, you can take all this with a grain of salt. I’m only 20 and never have had kids; I’ve only been one.
July 23rd, 2008 at 3:00 pm
p.s. a GREAT way to “socialize them” is to get them involved in town or city recreational sports where they’ll get to meet other kids that are in the public school system.
It’s important that they’re not only exposed to Christians, within a little bubble.
I have some friends who were homeschooled and were on the town’s basketball and golf team and got to know almost everybody from the public high school and made some good friendships from it and were an AMAZING light for God, as a result.
July 23rd, 2008 at 3:01 pm
*typo = “…only because I don’t believe it teaches kids to learn to….
July 23rd, 2008 at 3:03 pm
Wow. My first post was FULL of typos and now I’m clogging up your comment section trying to go back and correct them. Sorry about that.
*Typo = “3) Make yourself as involved…”
July 23rd, 2008 at 6:22 pm
I was actually homeschooled in high school. Great experience but requires times. Thankfully my dad was out of job at the time. I enjoyed the flexibility on subjects to study. Reading comprehension could not be stressed enough…It will be worthwhile if you decide to do it!
July 27th, 2008 at 6:35 pm
Before Five in a Row…
Heard of it?
It’s great for preschool. All my children have enjoyed it.
It’s a “teacher’s manual” or idea book of sorts where the same classic children’s story book is read five days in a row with all kinds of fun activities to supplement. I remember reading _Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel_ and making art projects with a charcoal pencil on white art paper to make fun steam pictures. With _Jesse Bear_ I remember counting the swans on the wallpaper in Jesse’s bathroom. Stuff like that. So sweet. Makes me miss the younger days!
July 27th, 2008 at 7:15 pm
These are all such good tips! Thank you!
July 30th, 2008 at 12:54 pm
First of all, congratulations on your decision; you won’t regret it.
My suggestions:
1) Read, read, read and read to him every day.
2) Do art projects like fingerpainting, and encourage him to coloring and cut with safety scissors (to help with fine motor skills).
3) Let him help you in the kitchen.
4) Go for walks and point out things in nature.
5) Take him to the park, library programs and anywhere other children will be.
But most of all, have fun. You’ll do better than you think you will.