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Help! Choosing a homeschool curriculum
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Question:
Our son is 3 years old. we have decided to begin
home-schooling early, on the premise that if we can't handle it, it won't
have hurt too much and we can switch to public/private schools at the
appropriate time. Also, he is very bright, he reads, knows numbers up to
?, and has some basic math skills...Adding 1+1, 1+2, 3-2, 2-1 etc...
Anyway, we have very little idea where to begin in choosing curricula
since there is so much available. So to sum it all up, we would
appreciate any advice, suggestions or information you might have.
Including which curricula to stay away from!
In addition, to others considering homeschooling and fearing a lack of
socialization problem, we have overcome that by enrolling him in t-ball,
swimming lessons and tumbling, where he quite readily picked up some
social skills of which we did not approve... Although he didn't have any
problems fitting in with the other children.
Answer:
-It sounds like you've already been homeschooling him! At his age, I
personally wouldn't worry about a formal curriculum. When my son was 4
and 5, I would spend about an hour a day (sometimes less) just reading to
him, working puzzles, counting with objects, etc. Also, you might take
nature walks, go dig up bugs, look at the stars, or work on the car.
Anything that he develops an interest in, encourage! Check out library
books on that subject that you can read to him.
Spend the next couple of years educating yourselves about home education.
A very good resource to begin with is "The Big Book of Home Learning" by
Mary Pride. There are four volumes in the series, and the first one is
"Getting Started." She writes in a very readable style, and lists a lot
of references you can check out yourself. Also she reviews home education
curriculum and other products. Perhaps your local library has these
books. Mary also has a web site: http://www.home-school.com
Your son seems to be involved in a lot of activities for a three year old.
Make sure he still has time to play and explore on his own. All that
running here and there can wear you down too, and intrude on your family
time.
Homeschooling is certainly an adventure! My husband and I are learning
right along with the kids!
- Here are my cirricula recommendations:
1) Rod & Staff (put out by Mennonites). I like
them because I agree with them on many doctrines. They
are cheap. And you can buy just what you want and if
you don't like it your investment is very small. We
use their phonics, reading and math.
2) Get the book "For the Children's Sake" by Susan
Schaffer Maculay. It is the first in a three book series
that in my opinion sets up the ideal for what a home
education environment should aspire to be.
3) Keep it simple. Require some basic subset of
skills and knowledge to be aquired. For us it is
a) Bible
b) Reading
c) Math
d) Writing (as in communicating)
beyond that let the teacher's or student's interests direct
the learning!
My recommendations for socialization is get-a-life. If you
simply live and include your child in your life socialization
is a given. (ie its FREE)
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