When should I start homeschooling my son?

Question

I have made the decision to homeschool my 5 year old. He is currently in public school and is having a lot of problems. After several meetings, I see that the school is basically telling me that my son is dumb. Well, I know that is not the case. I was even told by his preschool teacher that this would happen. She adviced that I do not put him in public school because he would get lost in the system because of his speech. She suggested that I find a school that would cater to children that learn better through more practical ways such as hands on, music, etc.. Well, I have not been able to find a school like that. I have decided that homeschooling would be best for him. I can't leave him in a school that feels he would benefit from having a cardboard box around him to keep him from looking at classmates for guidance. I am wondering if I should pull him out of kindergarten now since things are going so bad or should i wait until he graduates and start fresh on 1st grade?

Answer 1

I would get him out now. It sounds like the environment is not benefiting him in any way, shape or form. If anything, it may be harming him. Figure out his speech issues with a trained speech therapist, and do his education yourself. I agree that finding homeschool groups for support (mainly for you!) would be beneficial.

As far as the social issues - if you've been reading here any length of time you know that only non-homeschoolers bring this up. Every homeschooler I know (and I know many) has their OWN personality, some are outgoing, some shy - just like kids in the public school.
Good luck!

Answer 2

I pulled my daughter out in the middle of 3rd grade to homeschool her-- that was 9 years ago. She had just transferred and things were not working out well at her new school.

I'm glad I didn't wait till the end of the year; in fact, I'm sorry I waited until the middle of the year and wish I had pulled her out that first week before she had to go through a whole lot of trouble and heartache.

If you're determined to homeschool, seems no point in leaving him in school. When homeschooling, things like the school schedule and time tables and grade levels and summer vacation can begin to kind of melt away, and life just becomes a continuous learning adventure with no definite beginnings or endings. Why keep him in school if it is not a productive learning environment for him and if he's not going to be going back?

Answer 3

5 is so young and some kids just are not ready for kindergarten untill 6.. keep that in mind.. If i were you i'd pull him now..and homeschool.. There is a great website www.time4learning.com (hope i am allowed to put that in here) it is a great online program.. u can try it risk free for 2 weeks its 20 bucks a month.. and u can start him over at the preschool level and work your way up if u wish.. its very interactive.. Also as far as his speech.. you should have your doctor refer you for testing to see if he needs speech therapy ect.. Maybe you can nip the problem in the butt and eventually get him reinvolved problem free in school.. or u may enjoy it so much u may choose to do it for good.. goodluck!

Answer 4

Reading your question details just made me so angry... Especially the part about the cardboard box! PULL HIM OUT NOW! Don't wait! The longer you wait, the longer it will take for you to convince him he isn't a dummy and rebuild his confidence and natural love of learning. What they're doing is DESTROYING all of that for sure! I'm so flustered, I can't even type. Please read my other answers about homeschooling. I'd type out every last detail here, but i'm just burning right now and sadly, it isn't at all unbelievable to me. I had similar problems in kindergarten (I was isolated constantly because I was blind. Not quite the same, but I still sympathize). I'm boiling. Please read my other answers, and listen carefully to the great answers you've gotten here. Your boy will do so much better as a homeschooler. The hands-on, music, creative learning... those are things so many homeschoolers have the freedom to enjoy and benefit from. You clearly know what is best for your son, and it certainly isn't being sarrounded by walls of cardboard that keep him from even LOOKING at other students... treated like an idiot in a cage.... *ROAR!*

Answer 5

Pull him now. After spending four months with people treating him like an idiot, it'll take the rest of the school year for him to recover emotionally and academically. Work on building a strong routine, a healthy relationship and visit around.

He's only five, it's not imperative that you push him hard now anyway. Figure out where he really is, figure out what you want him to learn, and figure out some natural resources in your area (zoos, museums, etc)

Get some of those fun workbooks from wal-mart. They actually follow federal guidelines for standardized testing, so if he's following those, he's pretty close to what he needs to know. Be willing to sit beside him and do stuff too! That will mean a lot to him.

Answer 6

I'm 15, never been to public school, spent 5 weeks in a private primary school but, apart from that, have been home-educated all my life. I also have younger siblings, aged from 8 months to 12 yrs, including a 5 yr old brother so feel nothing but empathy for your little boy and the atrocious way the so-called professionals have behaved towards him.

If this was my little boy, I would pull him out of that school right now for fear of them damaging his confidence, self esteem, love of learning etc.

I would not put up with that sort of behaviour towards my child from anyone, let alone from someone who had the cheek to call themselves a 'teacher'.

The last thing you (or he) want or need is for your son to be turned off any future learning by their insensitivity and nutty ideas.

Answer 7

We started homeschooling in middle school... so I cannot really speak from direct experience...

It seems to me that the middle of the year is as good a time to start "fresh" as the beginning of the school year - especially since we are talking about K5.

You mentioned in your previous related question that you were having some success at home already.

I'd say go for it... I cannot think of any benefit of leaving your child in a bad situation for any longer than you absolutely must. If your personal circumstances allow you to do it now - go for it.

Be sure to connect with a local homeschool group. You will get lots of support, and can keep your child active with other kids.

Answer 8

Please bring him home where he belongs.
The holidays are the perfect time to make the transition and you can get information from the library (your local library should have a weekly time set aside for storytime/crafts for little ones), you can google HSLDA.org for your state requirements.

Depending on the route you go (religious vs non) you can find info at every turn and mouse click (there are yahoo groups for just about everything you can think of). Lots of Field Trips and trips to the local park are a good way for you and your little one to meet and make friends (playgroups too) and he can still take part in Little League.
There is a book at the bookstore called 'What Your ??? Grader Needs To Know' and gives you and idea of what your child will need to pass that particular year ( I use it as a guide and for ideas).
There are also magazines geared toward Homeschoolers...This Old Schoolhouse, Practical Homeschooling , to mention two.

It is not a hard road as some would have you believe (bit on the bumpy side but not hard) and there are plenty of places to get support from.

I wish you luck and welcome to a journey you won't regret.

Answer 9

There is many different things that you can do. There is homeshooling out there that you need to be the teacher. Or there is online home schooling where you can just have him do all his work through the internet. Its mainly just on what you think would be best. I am sure that you can maybe google some home school programs. I know there is one that you just order the books and thats pretty much all you have to pay for. Hope everything works out.

Answer 10

First Off.. Homeschooling is a great thing, less hassle, more education. The public school is just telling you that to make you pay MORE money on extra programs..etc. My advise is to pull him out of public school, and home school him. One of my friends is home schooled, and took the SATs in 8th grade, and scored well over 900. I would also advise Calvert school, somewhat of a school program based in Maryland. You get all the materials, textbooks, and tests to take around 6 times a year. Calvert Kindergarden is one of the best decisions to make. Great question, and good luck!