Even before Little B was born I have always liked the idea of home schooling. The idea became more attractive as I began to really see the world that's emerging around me.
School yard bullying is the norm, and assault on both students and teachers on the rise. Many children behind in reading and maths. So many kids refusing school and having to go to therapy in the aftermath... Not exactly inviting...
So when it was time to consider a school, we looked at what was available, assessed our situation and decided to homeschool - even if it's just for Kindy.
Let's buy her another year at home until she's completely ready and see if she changes her mind next year - at which point, the lesser evil shall be picked.
We went into this journey with that mentality in mind.
We managed to finish Kindergarten in Term 1.
(Honestly, if you were thinking of homeschooling, do Kindy. I swear to you it's the year that makes the most sense. They're still so little at that age, we all know that phase doesn't last long so why not savour that time together and get them ready for what's out there. Kindergarten curriculum is the easiest. It's all about the basics, learning through play, refining motor skills - basically all the fun stuff. If none of that sold you, try thinking, it's another year to bond with your kid before outside influences start muddying the waters.)
Term 2 was spent strengthening the Kindy foundation as we got ready to do Year 1 work in Term 3.
Now that we're doing Year 1 Maths and English, I'm putting the brakes on and slowing down, opting to spend time revising.
She started playing around with coding, music production and is learning French. (This is all child led BTW, her idea, not mine or anyone else's.)
She also got her grey belt in Jiu Jitsu, and is working on her 2nd stripe.
Everything we do now has a teaching point. Simple tasks like tidying up to making pancakes all have cross subject teaching points. Making pancakes can be maths, english, science, art, pdhpe!
Homeschooling isnt 9am to 3pm, it is every waking hour. Although that might sound bad, just remember that those waking hours are yours to choose whatever you want to do, where you want to do it.
Homeschooling is in a lot of ways, freedom.
Warmer weather found us out and about exploring and going on trips. Sometimes we'd be on the trampoline reading a book or on the deck home schooling; in the blow up pool with music pumping while eating ice cream because it's too hot to think straight so day off it is 🤣
Now that its cold we do "school work" snuggled up in bed. We wake up when our bodies are ready, we have hot meals throughout the day that nourish our bodies. We run out when we see snow flurries and then run back in to the warmth of the house. Have a hot chocolate whenever we feel like it.
Sometimes we work hard and sometimes we bum around. Sometimes we watch a movie and try to find learning points in the movie. Eg.. Can you spell KPop Demon Hunters? How many girls in HunterX? Can you tell me the beginning, middle and end of the movie? Sometimes we learn about healthy eating habits while watching a movie and then have junk food anyway 😂
As for socialising? That's actually the easiest part. Between the local homeschooling group, Jiu-Jitsu, play dates and family - we are busy. Too busy.
Did I mention excursions are a family event? No paying for the excursion fee and then hearing all about it later. You all get to experience it together.
Don't get me wrong,there are definitely some disadvantages, and the hours are long (for me anyway) but it's worth it.
Every single part of it, is worth it.
