I'm thinking of homeschooling my child any support or info is greatly appreciated. My child is 4 yrs old.?

Question

I'm considering homeschooling my children. I have a 4 yr old boy and a 9 mon. old girl. I have a little while before I have to start, but I'm looking for support and any info you can send me. I'm scared to death to send them to public school. My husband agrees with me but some in our family disagrees with our desicion to homeschool saying they won't socialize well. I'm also affraid I'm not smart enough to teach them. My cousin home schooled her child. I told her my concerns she said she felt the same way when she was considering it, but if I'm committed to doing it and putting my all into it we will be fine. I think her daughter is the smartest person I know. I guess I'm just looking for some support and info.

Answer 1

The best thing to do would be to find a local homeschool support group if there is one. At the very least, a county/state/provincial group. Try a Yahoo/Google search for your area and homeschool support group.

Ignore those who say they don't socialize well. There was a Time article sometime ago where the author complained of the homeschooled students he was observing as being too grown-up. The Fraser Institute looked into a variety of studies and found:

>>
Research also suggests that home schooled students are more sociable than their school peers, as well as more independent of peer values as they grow older.

"Popular belief holds that home schooled children are socially backward and deprived, but research shows the opposite: that home schooled children are actually better socialized than their peers," says Hepburn. "Some studies have shown that home schooled children are happier, better adjusted, more thoughtful, mature and sociable than children who attend institutional schools."
<<

Just sum up family's opposition to them not really knowing enough. As you go along and they see how well things are, they'll hopefully come around. If not, just accept the difference of opinion.

What do you mean by you don't think you're smart enough? If you can read and write and are committed to learning and helping your children learn, you will do just fine.

Answer 2

First of all, don't listen to ANYONE (even on this site) that says homeschooled kids don't get social interaction. Homeschooled kids have MORE time to interact with others and can spend time with more than just people THEIR OWN AGE. They can visit with the baby down the street or the elderly lady next door. They go to the Y, the zoo, museums, playgroups, church youth groups, the scouts, neighborhood sports....I could go on and on and on. In school, kids can only socialize (I hate that word by the way) between classes, at lunch and recess. They spend the rest of the 8 hours sitting in chairs and following orders.

I doubted my abilities at first, and I'm a college graduate. I worry that I have forgotten all the early ed stuff that my children are learning right now. The good thing is, as I teach them, I remember the info. If I come across an answer I don't know, I look it up. Very easy to do!

The best part about homeschooling is that you don't have to go on a set curriculum. If your children get interested in dinosaurs, you don't have to stop at the school's designated dinosaur week, you can study them as long as your children are interested in them. For instance, my son is into maps and sports right now. So when the sports tournaments were on, I had him map where the teams came from and study a little about the city. He's also into mountains, and I got this HUGE book from the library that he's read every night before bed.

Another thing, children in school are expected to sit in class for hours, then come home and do more homework for hours. I know a 5th grader and a 7th grader, for instance, that have at least 3 hours of homework a night. That doesn't leave much time for family interaction and unwinding. In homeschool, when school is done, it's done. Then the family can spend their evenings doing what they want, and spending time together.

Answer 3

My older sister home schools her 2 children. Our family didn't think it was a good idea, but now that I am studying to be an elementary teacher, I see the benefits. There are MANY organizations that will take you by the hand and guide you...many of which are religious, if you're into that as well.

Not only do you not have to be "smart," but you don't have to worry about them not socializing. These organizations have social events such as science fairs, home school fairs, oral language festivals, etc. where the students can get together and hang out and show what they've learned.

As for you not feeling "smart enough," stop it! That's nothing that a few text books and reviewing won't help. Sometimes I find myself learning during lesson plans and research as I work towards my teaching credential. If other mommies and daddies can do it, then anyone can.

You just make the decision that is best for YOU and YOUR FAMILY. And check out some local home school chapters near you!

Good Luck!!!

Answer 4

I too am in the same boat. I say go for it. I am allowing my daughter to go to school until about 3rd gr then I am pulling her to homeschooling. Or sooner depending on the school and how I feel about her safety. She is my only girl and with bigger brothers in public school I hate the thought of her being in the same environment. If I could I would home school them also. I think she needs to understand the difference between a school setting and home setting (where she is used to playing). I think sending her to school will help her adjust better once I do home school her. Also I want her to learn to master reading. But like I said it really depends on the school environment. My boys started a new school last Nov. because of a move to another city and they picked up so many bad habits, jokes and bad words. It's terrible the things they hear at school and then come home and ask what different words mean. And about being social, that's funny with so many family members they are social butterflies. And even without the family your child should be able to join sports in the school settings if you desire. My boys were in a community school and since they're were not enough kids for a sport team they were able to join in at the schools. But again you take the chance of them picking some not so nice habits.

Answer 5

The best thing in the world about home-schooling comes in a few years when you realize that your children are not only smarter than you but they are also better in social skills.

Group-institution type schools: A modern development. Public schools are subversive to family values and social morals. Don't get me wrong -- many of my closest friends are teachers in group schools. It is the mandatory programs and curriculum that ruin the system. It is bad enough that our system involves taking children out of the home and herding them along in segregated peer groups. The next travesty is the junk that is spoon-fed to the students instead of allowing them the joy of learning how to think for themselves.

Family style learning is MUCH better. Extended family and fringe friends should not have a say in your decisions (needless to say --- strangers on the internet....????).

You will find thousands of home-school families that will become your close friends. Anytime you need encouragement or help seek out those that have "been there, done that".

We use the Robinson Self-teaching Method (Curriculum). My chidren are doing very well in their studies. You are welcome to join our yahoo group if you would like. We have over 1800 members and enjoy awesome interaction every day. Let me know. You can contact me through my profile on this forum.

Barb

PS!!!! I want to add that if you have children you are teaching them at home. You may not be exactly "schooling" (but most of us don't do that anyway") But EVERY moment that you are awake and your children are watching, listening, mimicking or merely being near you they are LEARNING something. They learn whether or not you use a formal teaching tool. The best teaching tool you will ever need is your own mind! Attached to your heart and your soul your mind will help you to teach your children everything they should know. YOU went through "school" --- teach them what YOU know. You never have to wait on anyone when you are homeschooling. Make if fun and move forward!!!!

Answer 6

Not sure where you live but US law states all children must be enrolled in some sort of Kindergarten program by age 6. There are many homeschooling options available many through online problems. Virtual Academy is just one that comes to mind but there is also Connections Academy and K12 program. My kids attend public school but I have looked into back up plans because I can't stand the way the schools are run anymore.

Answer 7

Well... I was exactly like you 3 months ago. I am not your typical home school mom, but the thought of sending my kids to public school scared me more. So I decided I will give it a shot. I am soo glad I did. The socializing thing is a myth. I take my kids to playgrounds, and church, and visit family, and all that... no problem. If your child is shy by nature, public school is not going to fix that. Most likely a bully will make fun of them and worse.
If you are worried that you will not be able to provide a well rounded education for the kids, think again. My 5 year old can read and the neighbor's kid 3 blocks down from us, is 10 and can't read or write. That's public education for you.
We are using the ABEKA DVD program. It's a classroom setting and the kids actually feel like they're being included, the teacher keeps referring to them... There's another program that we looked on that's probably going to work better for our second child called ACE (Accelerated Christian Education) which uses the PACE technique, which takes care of the loopholes in a child's education, and enabling the children to pace themselves, set out goals for themselves and work about to achieve them.
It keeps my kids out of trouble, out of the pedophiles hands out there, or any other scare. You are learning with your child and gain more confidence as you go. Give it a try, after all one year is not going to hurt, and then if you decide later that it's not for you, fine. you don't lose anything at this point. My strongest argument was that in college my classmates and friends that have been home schooled, were always and all of them 4.0 GP A's... If this isn't encouraging, I don't know what is. And... socialization skills??? No problem, at all. They never missed any events for lack of social skills. Another thing to consider in your area if you are homeschooling, there's got to ba a home schools association, or club, that meets every week for socialization purposes, and gets the kids together to have fun. And they talk about their experiences, and share secrets that you can implement in your home schooling setup. I strongly encourage you to give it a try. You will be so amazed, I guarantee it!
The classroom setting is 15 to 1(at best), your home school setting is 1-1, or 2-1... so the learning process is that much more efficient! ... At this age the time you devote to home school is really not that much. You're done with it before noon.
My 5 year old is asking me for the next day lessons after we finish the day.. she is so curious what comes next, she took the work books and read every page, to find out what comes next, and anticipate solving each and every one sooner. I hope I gave you some encouragement. YTou can actually choose your own program and it doesn't have to be Christian, I gave you those because those I know best... I don't want you to think I am trying to recruit you in any way as far as religion is concerned. I just wanted to make that clear, I only want to help.

Answer 8

I homeschool all four of my kids, I can help answer any questions that you want and can give you websites that you can go ahead and start printing off worksheets to work with them now. Just IM or email me, either way. There is so much info, I would run out of room on here quickly!!! Dont worry about what others say, do what you feel is right for you child. Hope to talk to you soon,

Answer 9

It sounds like you know what you want to do. I commend you on making that decision. I want to let you know most states have groups of home school Moms that meet with the kids for interaction with kids their age. Sometimes one or twice a month.
You kids can always join rec teams for sports During the meetings you can exchange ideas and make friends and have support that way. If there isn't a group in your area start one ....you may not be the only Mother that wants that kind of interaction and support. Good Luck and I wish you the best.

Answer 10

Good for you!

I've taught my children to read at four, so actually you could be homeschooling already. You are very smart to be afraid to send them to public school--I regret sending my older children to public school, and I'm very thankful I homeschooled them later.
Your relatives just need to be educated, as do most people. There is sometimes a general ignorance about the blessings of homeschooling with some people!

Homeschooled children are more social than their public school counterparts if you teach them good manners and friendliness.
Eye-contact and smiling are good thing to learn. Also, homeschooled children interact with different ages. Some of the public school kids I know can't talk to adults very well!

Don't worry, you learn alot homeschooling your children, and besides they learn to teach themselves, which is what most of us do for our whole lives. When they are older, you can get them a tutor, or a group class in the area. (There are alot of group classes around in homeschool circles.)

Check out:
www.nheri.org to find studies comparing homeschooing with public schooling--the homeschoolers are MORE socialized in a group.

My older homeschool graduates are married with children of their own. They are very social and capable people. They intend to homeschool their children. They loved being homeschooled!
They actually begged me to homeschool them when they were in public school.

You can do it--homeschooling works!