Homeschooling

Archive for May, 2008

Question: Unschooling a kindergartener?

My son is not doing well in kindergarten. He didn't show very many of the "signs of readiness" for school anyway. He was in a special ed preschool (a wonderful program!) for 2 years for developmental delays, and they tested him for autism but he was "borderline" on their scale. He is now in a mainstream class.

I'm seriously considering removing him from school after Christmas break and Homeschooling for the rest of the year.
He is a very hands-on learner and I would much rather teach him through games and crafts than worksheets from a curriculum. Has anyone NOT used a curriculum with a kindergartener? How did it work? How do you know they are learning what they need to be?

Answer: First who makes the rules and laws on what exactly they have to learn by a certain age? I say pull him out if he isn't thriving in this environment. You are the parent here and you need to do what works for your child. You shouldn't allow society, the school system, or anyone for that matter corner or bully you into thinking that Traditional or special ed classes are best for your son. Do they really know him like you do? I hope you can say NO WAY! Pull him out.

I have a 5 1/2 year old daughter and we do what they call Unschooling. She basically learns everything they learn in a traditional school, but without all the workbooks, testing, crowds, stress, etc.

How do I know she is learning- well that is easy. You can look at my child and really listen to what she talks about and know that she is learning. She is brighter than most of the other 5 year olds that go to schools around here, I hear it all the time from other people that she is bright and knows so much. etc. Plus I just know my daughter well enough and in tune to what she hasn't learned and has. I have become a very good observer. These things come in time. It might have helped that I am a former K-3rd grade Teacher and Preschool Teacher and Director.

I take the time each day to read to her, let her play video games at night with Daddy which she is learning all kinds of math and reasoning skills, cooking and journaling our experiences, taking photos, spending time outdoors and talking and seeing nature, exploring, spending a lot of time on art activities- open ended. Art is all about expressing yourself and not following the rules on this one area. Allow your child to do what they want to do in the area of arts.

I am big on the basics Reading, Writing, and Math, but all the other areas I am more relaxed in. Knowing the basics is very important and they can and will learn it if given the proper tools and guidance.

You don't have to spend a ton of money. Some people homeschool on nothing and other spend a lot. It really depends on what your child likes. For us she loves Art so we spend lots of money on things she enjoys.

Spending quiet uninterrupted time is so very important. This is something that is sorely lacking in the schools these days. I remember the days where I would go to the school library and be able to sit there quietly for atleast 45-1 hour and do nothing, but look at the books. Kids are lucky if they get to visit the school library once a week or every other week and only pick out a few books to take home. Very sad.

People do not know better. They have been brainwashed into believing that Public schools are acceptable. They are not. They are far from acceptable. There are very few good schools out there left. Those you usually find in very small rural towns where they actually treat their neighbors with respect and know how important it is to Love thy neighbor as thyself.

Good luck with your little guy. Do your research. Allow him some time to Deschool. Don't start him onto anything until this next school year. Let him have this time to explore his world and feel free to be a child and to have time to catch up. Don't be in such a rush to "Keep up with the Jones". Life is too short to be worrying about what everyone else is doing and what their kids are doing. Who in the heck cares. You want your child to grow up to be a productive and happy adult. Who in the heck cares if he is in the top 3rd percentile of his graduating class. In the whole scheme of things it doesn't mean a thing. Only shallow people care about those things. Let him a choose a vocation that he will love and enjoy doing when he is older and not push him to do things he has no interest in.

I could go on and on, but I won't.

Let him be a child. They grow up so quickly and you will never get this time back ever again. You have one shot so make it good.

Printable Math Worksheets

As long as you are following your state guidelines, anyone you choose can be your child's homeschool teacher. Most of the time, the child's mother is his or her homeschool teacher. However, sometimes the father will be the child's homeschool teacher. The child can have more than one homeschool teacher. For example, the mother can do most of the Home Schooling with the help of the father on weekends or on a few subjects. The question of who to teach your child between you and your spouse is more of a question of practicality. One of you probably has a full time job and cannot spend much time Home Schooling. The other might have a part time job or no job at all which means he or she has more free time to homeschool the child. If both of you have a full time job, maybe it is necessary that you hire some other people to homeschool your child.

Whoever you got to be your child's homeschool teachers, it is important that you and your spouse constantly ask your child how he or she is doing. Your child needs attention from parents much more than from strangers. Remember that your child takes after you. So, if you appear to your child as a good and attentive listener, your child will grow up to be one too. Nowadays, listening skills are among the most sought after traits in people, whether it be applying for a job, a university, or in social circumstances. Attention from parents is also encouragement for the child.

Families can help you homeschool your child

Other family members often have some roles in Home Schooling a child of the family. Grandparents usually make great homeschool teachers since they usually have patience and more time to homeschool. They are also great in teaching history since they may have lived in the time period of interest such as during the Second World War, Vietnam War, or the Great Depression. Learning from someone with first hand experience in the matter is often more exciting. Grandparents usually have exciting stories to tell and they usually like to tell them. Aunts, uncles, and other relatives sometimes help with Home Schooling too. Perhaps, one of your family members has a specialized knowledge of a subject and would good for your child to learn from. Look within your family first to see if anyone you know can and want to teach your child. If you approach your brother who is an electrical engineer to teach your child electronics, he would probably be honored to do so.

Finding someone else to help with Home Schooling

Outside your family circle, there are plenty of people offering help with Home Schooling. Many people with talents in particular subjects give classes to people who are Home Schooling at various places such as churches on in their homes. Some mothers homeschool other children for extra income. This may also help your child with social interaction. However, you must keep an eye on what that person is teaching your child. The ultimate Home Schooling responsibility is yours. Make sure that all materials your child is being taught are really useful and if your child does not understand something, it is up to you to make sure that the homeschool teacher goes over it with your child until he or she understands it.