Preschool

Heather - posted on 02/01/2011

Homeschooled children tend to learn at their own pace. If they are a quick learner they might be ahead of the game if you put them into public school, however if they are a quick learner they will just be bored at preschool while everyone else catches up. Preschools usually cover all the same material, only rarely all of the kids understand it. My youngest son went to public preschool and they couldn't even teach him to write his name. When I asked about it they said that he could, but he couldn't. I had to teach him at home. They covered it, but the kids didn't get it and they didn't have the time (or take the effort) to ensure that all of the children were ready before moving on. The same thing will happen in kindergartens. Some kids will be advanced and bored and others will be left behind. That's why I'm homeschooling all of my children this year. (preschool, kindergarten, and 2nd grade).

Becky - posted on 01/31/2011

For socialization, we go to church and to to a mom's group at our church, and I work from home, so sometimes he goes to my sister's dayhome when I have to work or have an appointment. He also has a little brother, which is an excellent way to learn to share and be kind! :) And like Heather said, they do go everywhere with me! As far as independence, we do Sunday school at church and the occassional day at the day home, but that's it. Independence is what I'm most concerned about, which is why we might still send him to preschool for a year before kindergarten.
Question though - I've been looking at preschool curriculum and theme sites online and some of them really have you teaching them a lot! I'm a little worried that he might be bored when he gets to kindergarten? Anyone had this issue?
Thanks for the tips!

Heather - posted on 01/30/2011

On a side note, socialization skills will be learned no matter what, unless you hide in your home, never leave, and never answer the door. When you homeschool you take your kids everywhere, this includes places like parks, the store, the bank. They learn not only to communicate with other children, but also with adults.

Heather - posted on 01/30/2011

I semi homeschool my preschoolers. I have twins that are 3. For the most part we just learn as we go (probably what you have been doing up until now). But I did buy a curriculum, my girls just aren't ready for it. Your son probably is though. There are tons of preschool curricula out there, we have Heart of Dakota Little Hands To Heaven and I love it, my girls just aren't ready for that kind of learning yet. We work on a few things a week, but nothing set. They have workbooks that you can buy at Wal-mart that go through what preschoolers need to know too. We did that with one of our sons and it was helpful.

Stacey - posted on 01/29/2011

I think it is great that you are showing a keen interest in your childs education and I think mums that are interested in teaching their child can do a better job at teaching than a trained teacher who doesn't know your child as well as you do. Just something to think about tho; What are your thoughts on how you will teach socialization skills and skills to be independant from you?