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| Homeschooling Parents |
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| Hello to all you moms who devote yourself to such a huge responsibility. I am a SAHM who has a very difficult time just structuring our days. I envy all of you are able to do this. I don't know if it's even possible for my situation (ages of my kids will be 3, 5, 2 and 2 by July) but I am interested in learning more about homeschooling and how to get started or if it's just too early because of the little ones. Does anyone have any suggestions...? |
| Posted by Linda on 03/25/2008 09:47 PM
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| Is your oldes a girl or a boy? |
| posted by Hayley on 03/25/2008 09:50 PM
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| There is a lady that goes to our library's preschool story time that had similar aged kids. Her trick was to have the kids work in teams or in a group while she works one on one with whoever needed it. |
| posted by Indigo Ottyr on 03/25/2008 10:35 PM
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| Practically everything you do with young children is a learning experience for them. When you want to introduce more structured learning you may have to get creative with group activities, or set safe unsupervised pursuits for the others while you work one-on-one, but if families with 10 and 12 children of varying ages can homeschool, I know that you can too. |
| posted by Kelly on 03/26/2008 08:41 AM
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I agree with Kelly. They are so young now so they learn a lot through play and believe it or not the younger ones listen to what the older ones are learning and will learn a little bit with them too. This is a wonderful time to find out how each of them learn. Take my two boy's. They learn totally different from each other. My oldest learns a lot by sight and by hearing where as my younger son is a really hands on learner. He doesn't like to sit still for long and needs something to do actively to learn. So right now have fun with them and you will know when each is ready to do any formal learning. Welcome to the group.
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| posted by Jody on 03/26/2008 09:33 AM
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| I was given some advice when my oldest was your oldests age...she told me to just read, read, and read to them...cuddle with them on a cumphy chair or sofa...go about your everyday life...and teach them through everyday experiences...make things fun..like sorting clothes...counting silverware...measuring while baking,etc...these years will pass so quickly...so enjoy them! You will be amazed at all the different concepts you can teach as you go about your day...in a less formal way. :D |
| posted by Hayley on 03/26/2008 10:17 AM
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My kids are 8, 4, 4, and 2. We just started homeschooling, so I haven't had lots of experience. But I would agree that your kids will learn much through playing and reading books. When I first thought about homeschooling, I imagined that you sat down and did "school work" for 7 hours a day. But you really just need a little time every day. Some of the things you probably already do with your kids, but you don't think of them as school--- like reading, etc.
With my younger children I make sure that they have something to do. Often they will want to "craft" while the oldest is doing his school. I have paper, coloring books and crayons accessible for them to use.
The 4 year olds each have a lap desk so they can sit on the floor and craft away. Other times they are at the table. I figure it is still less distracting for my oldest than being in a class with 20 kids.
I also try to take some time out to read to them during the day. And they work on their alphabet (Even the 2 year old.)
I involve them in other things that I am doing around the house, so they still get my attention. They do things like rinse dishes, put away socks when I fold laundry, etc. They think it is great fun.
If they interrupt, I will remind them that this is school time and they need to wait. (As I'm sure you can imagine, this doesn't always work.) I also save the hardest (math) for the afternoon when the 2 yr old and the youngest 4 yr old are napping. That way we have more peace and quiet. We do about 1 or 1 1/2 hours in the morning and about the same amount in the afternoon.
It is important to be flexible. When we started, I started at 8:30 every morning. But now we work around our schedule. If we do writing, and take an hour break, and then do history, that is OK.
I hope this helps.
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| posted by Anna on 03/26/2008 10:24 AM
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| Thanks for your encouraging replies everyone. Keep me in mind if you have any other advice that may help because it all does! |
| posted by Linda on 03/27/2008 09:28 PM
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