What is the best and most affordable home school program for my kindergarten daughter?

Answer 1

Check your state department of education website.

If "Virtual Schooling" is available in your state, I would say GO FOR IT! In AR, we have a system available that will provide you with a computer, a high speed modem, a structured curriculum (not all computer based), AND a certified teacher that will check in on you regularly for support. You can also contact this teacher at any time YOU need help. One more thing, he/she organizes other virtual students in the area for field trips and other social outings. Your daughter will still take all of the state standardized tests, so you will KNOW she'll be right on target when it's time for college, or if she needs any special help along the way.

This is FREE PUBLIC schooling, but in the home. Many states are offering it so that parents can take control of their children's education--even if they can't afford to go to private school.

Good Luck! :)

Answer 2

That's a difficult question to answer. There are so many curriculum choices now, and what's "best" for some might not be "best" for others. To keep it inexpensive, the public library is a great resource. You can check online for your state's kindergarten learning objectives, and check books out that correlate with those objectives. Abeka (www.abeka.com) is a great text/workbook based program, and not too terribly expensive. Sonlight (www.sonlight.com) is a great literature based program. Sonlight looks a bit expensive, but you can find a lot of it used, or check many of the books out at the library. There are so many resources, it's really just a matter of finding what works for you and your daughter. Also, the book How They Learn by CynthiaTobias is a great resource for discovering your daughter's learning style which could help direct you toward an effective curriculum for your particular homeschool.

Answer 3

My mom taught in both private and public schools before she homeschooled my brother and me from kindergarten through high school. She has always maintained that kindergarten is a breeze to teach. Since there are less distractions and only one child, there is little time wasted so your school time can be used to maximum advantage. My mom taught us for only thirty minutes of formal education a day during kindergarten. Of course, with a caring and committed parent, learning is going on all day long through various daily activities. Your main resource should be lots of interesting books on a variety of subjects to read to your daughter. You can probably find most of what you need at the library. You can cut the letters of the alphabet out of craft foam and glue them on card stock and have her trace them with her finger while saying the name of the letter and the sound/sounds it makes, for example "This is A and it says aaa." My mom actually put this to a little tune she made up but you could use something familiar such as "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star." You can also take time to review her knowledge of colors. Be sure to connect with a homeschool group so she can start going on interesting and informative field trips. In my opinion, the main purpose of kindergarten is to begin building a lifelong love of learning. Good luck! :)

Answer 4

I used Abeka for my son and we ended up hating it. It became into too scripted and uninteresting. My daughter used some little activity books from Christian mild coaching for the 1st 0.5 of kindergarten. They have been great. Then we moved directly to their first grade application "studying to study". I spent a twelve months and 0.5 doing their finished first grade application because of the fact that they did no longer have kindergarten then. This saved it greater comfortable. by making use of then she became into heading in the right direction for 2nd grade. They now have a commonplace kindergarten curriculum. We nevertheless use Christian mild (I switched my son after to it after first grade). they are very decrease priced and academically sound. My little ones love the selection of actives in the training.

Answer 5

The public library is the best. You will not regret a moment spent reading to a kindergartener.

This article is full of wise counsel for beginning the education of young children.

http://www.triviumpursuit.com/articles/ten_to_do_before_ten.php

And my favorite curriculum for kindergarten (and even after):
http://www.fiveinarow.com/

Answer 6

Homeschool your child for free by Laura Maery Gold and Joan Zielinski

I just started reading this book, I got through 2 chapters so far. It is easy to read and very informative.

Don't listen to idiot who say not to homeschool. They don't know what they are talking about.

Answer 7

none. don't homeschool, it ruins kids socially. they miss out on alot of experiences in life.