That is the question!! Currently we are facing some decisions that will shape our children’s education. Mavis is about to enter Pre-Kindergarten. I have always been an advocate of public schools, having attended them myself. My educational experience was great. I felt prepared for college. I was given ample opportunity. I was exposed to different cultures and challenged to rise up in the face of things this world tempts us to do.
This past year, Mavis attended a private preschool program. It was amazing. Her teacher was wonderful and I felt like she had a well-rounded experience. She had a very diverse class (which I loved) and really broadened her perspective on other children and families.
This next year we are going to explore homeschooling. Partly a financial decision, I also feel like it will be great for me to learn how to better educate my children. I hope that together we can learn about making our home a place of constant learning.The dilemma is making sure she gets enough time to work with other children, share, follow a line leader, etc. All of these things are hard to re-create at home.
I know these seem like big fears to be addressing with a 4 year old…it’s just I always want to be questioning my actions. I want to be a parent that doesn’t assume I’m doing everything right. I hope to take a balanced look at my actions, evaluate them, and make the best decisions I can for my girls. The other real issue is this…let’s just get it out there…can I sanely handle a year with no breaks from my little, precious princess. Yes, she’s adorable. Yes, she’s an amazing kid. BUT, I’m the first to admit my limits.
So…I’d love you to walk through this process with me. If you’re a homeschooling mom, please send some advice my way. If you a teacher, please update me with some great educational websites and ideas. I’m nervous to say the least, but, I’m energized by the idea! I’m excited to be a teacher to my girl. I’m oh-so-thankful to be able to spend some quality time with her this year before she heads off to kindergarten everyday. And let’s face it…I’m really excited about buying school supplies:) There’s just something so fun about that!
So, in honor of the first day of school here in Georgia, let’s begin a discussion about educating our kids at home. Some resources that I’ve found that are already helping me are:
1. Pinterest : my fave! This site is so full of ideas, crafts, and experiments. If you haven’t become a member of Pinterest yet, just check out this blog post. I’ll send you a personal invite and you can start pinning too!
2. ABC Jesus Loves Me : This is a great website for free curriculum. The weeks are laid out for you with printable worksheets and lessons. With a little supplementing on your part, you can have a well-rounded homeschooling curriculum for free!
3. I Can Teach My Child : This is a great website by a teacher who now stays at home with her children. She committed to helping mothers and fathers teach their children at home. She begins at birth and has resources for children well into elementary age. Check this site out for more ideas, resources, recipes, lesson plans, and product reviews.
Let the journey begin!
Hannah
I have no idea what I’m doing, but I’m going to homeschool Bella this year, so keep me posted on ideas and such!!
Hey Rebecca! That’s so exciting! I know you’ll be great at teaching Bella. Check out these sites listed above. That’s where I am starting. I’ll definitely keep you posted if I find some other great resources!
Don’t forget WatchKnowLearn.org!
Free educational videos online. Each subject in the directory has a SUB-folder titled “________ for younger learners”. We have a HUGE homeschool following. I think you’ll find lots of stuff for Mavis there.
Kerry! that is so exciting! For some reason, I thought that WatchKnowLearn.org was for older children! I’ll be sure to pass that along:) Thanks!
I also follow several parent and education groups on Twitter and Pinterest. “Today’s Parent” and “Parents Magazine” both have GREAT Pinterest boards and ideas…
Hey Hannah
We let Molly got to a christian preschool. She then attended a public elementary school for kindergarten, first and second while I subbed there for the the teachers. While I was subbing I watched all the social stuff that Molly was seeing and did not like it at all but she was able to get her basics out of the way. She then homeschooled third and fourth which was challenging and rewarding at the same time. She went to a christian private for fifth and began to learn things that I was not ready for her to know about yet. We started home schooling again in the sixth and having been doing it ever since. She is now a junior in high school. She attends classes with other homeschoolers every MOnday and I supervise that she does her homework through the week. I would not trade the time that God has allowed me to be with Molly for anything. I wished that I had homeschooled Chase as well. I will be praying that you make the right decision for your family. There are a lot of good social outlets for homeschoolers so dont let that bother you.
Thanks Elaine! So thankful for your opinion! I’m definitely intrigued by the idea of homeschooling and am looking forward to this time with Mavis! Thanks so much for you comment. I’m sure I’ll be calling on moms like you for more advice:)
Hey Hannah, I was just commenting on Jakes FB, so I thought I would check out your blog here. I have felt in the back of my mind for quite some time that I was going to homeschool my children. My biggest concerns were, I want braden to know how to respect and learn from other adults and would I be patient enough for him and a baby bouncing around in the background. I have been doing “lessons” with braden for nearly a year, Basic 15-20 minute alphabet, numbers stuff last year. I decided this year to dedicate one hour a day to working with him on a more concentrated level. Right now its working well because Isla is sleeping in the am. I do have to look into some sports classes because his PE elective can not be jumping off my couch and doing cartwheels over his sister. haha There is plenty of exposure to other cultures through everything from museums and library activities. I plan on taking advantage of all of those things. But the Christian aspect is the overwhelming draw for me. I want to incorporate Jesus into everything. From Ken Ham’s answers in Genesis and memorizing the books of the Bible. I’m a little passionate about this, and could talk (or type) for awhile, but I guess I’ll end there. Would love to chat about any other ideas or thoughts you have. I have a friend who is starting her second year with three kids and taught prior to kiddos. She’s my number one resource right now. Maybe we can chat soon!
I would love to chat Sarah! I totally understand what you about making sure they get enough exercise. Mavis just started gymnastics this week-I’m hoping that is a great outlet socially and physically. Thanks for the comment. Let’s talk soon:)
Hey Hannah,
So, I know I’m not a parent, but I’ve been watching my niece prepare for school and discussing the home school/public school with some friends recently. While I already applaud you for considering home school (I could never do it!), I do worry about the things that school teaches your child out of the classroom. Good or bad they are faced with real life situations and have to learn how to handle them. I know one person from college who was home schooled and she admitted to struggling in some social situations because she was never faced with them beforehand. I know that no matter what decision you and Jake make it will turn out well, and y’all are so social yourselves I’m sure they will get exposed to socializing either way. But as someone who recently finished all of my school years I am a fan of public school, especially in this area!
I don’t know how much help I can be with pre-school (since I’m used to working with older kids), but I will be on the lookout and offer what I do know. I was looking through my classroom stuff the other day for your mom and I do have a book for you. It is a counting book that uses hands.
Hi Hannah! I was actually home-schooled from 2nd-4th grade (my mom is a certified teacher), and I liked some aspects of it, but I was SO social (crazy, right?!) that it was really, really hard for me. Once all of my friends got home from (public) school, I would call them to play, but they would always have homework or whatever. I just remember being almost starved for friends to play with. We were a part of some homeschool groups, but it just wasn’t the same as being around peers all day every day.
There are a lot of pros and cons to every decision, but I just thought I would share my experience.
Hi Hannah,
I teach 11th grade but one of the sites I love is readwritethink.org…it is geared K-12 but I’m sure there are activities/lessons there you could use… some of the same activites I use with my “big” kids I’m sure Mavis would enjoy…
Hope you are doing well! ~Dawn
Hannah
I have lots of ideas and materials I tell you about from when i taught pre-k. I’d love to help you anytime.give me a call anytime and we can chat. I know you will do great!