We do preschool at home

There. I said it.

I mistakenly thought when I stopped working to become a mother (yes, I wrote that on purpose so you can all have a good laugh…), I would have more autonomy, more freedom, less… I don’t know – I hate to call it peer pressure, but I think that’s what it is.

Mothers can have a peculiar and insiduous type of peer pressure. Tucked into kindly questions of concern.

• “Have you started looking at preschools? You know some of them have a long waiting list!”
• “Do you think you’ll send him to preschool right when he turns three?”
• “Oh the XYZ preschool near you is great – you’re lucky to be close to that one.”

Suddenly I feel guilty I am not meeting this unspoken expectation that I ship my child off to an early childhood learning facility!

I find myself stumbling for words, because I am floored the preschool decision seems predetermined by moms I run into (not moms who know me!).

The truth is. I don’t WANT my child away from me at this point in his life.

I believe I am my son’s first teacher – and I’m not done yet! I have so much more I want to show him! The first six years of life are a child’s most formative, when they form enduring attachments with the people they spend time with the most. I desire my son’s attachment to be formed with his family!

And three? It’s so very very young.

I have a host of other reasons why I think homeschooling is best for our family. But today I want to talk about HOW we homeschool at the preschool level!

You might be thinking, “Well, sure, homeschool if you want – after all you are a certified teacher! But I could never do it!”

I wanted to homeschool my kids for preschool and kindergarten long before I became a certified teacher (anyway, I am certified for secondary ed), so if you think you can’t do it, think again! Even I have my moments of panic: “Can I do this, really!?”

Yet, there’s so many resources locally and online. I’ve been using the Hands On Homeschooling binder this year. For the past three months, my son and I have worked our way through various colors, shapes, Bible stories and verses.

A curriculum like Hands On Homeschooling simplifies the teaching process. Sure, I could come up with three activities every day if I had to. But to be handed a complete year’s worth of schooling, neatly spelled out and organized to spiral through various readiness skills? A lifesaver! (I do have a four month old, remember!).

Curriculums start at 2 years old and go up to age 5. The philosophy behind HOH is it can be used as “busy work,” for school readiness, or as a part of a lifelong educational experience with you and your child!

The activities created and compiled by Terri Wilson focus on “Play with a Purpose,” and are straightforward. Nearly all with materials you likely have on hand. I’m flexible with how I use the curriculum – depending on the time we have and his interest / readiness levels I may skip an activity or repeat it later that week.

HOH is a user-friendly plan, if a bit “no frills.” You aren’t going to get colorful printouts, reward stickers, and textbooks or DVDs. It’s a simple curriculum with a monthly, weekly, and daily plan for learning. You’ll have to add your own books and incentives, although there are many printables included in the black and white copied binder.

The lessons couldn’t be easier. A typical morning in our very laid-back little preschool goes something like this:

• Recite Bible Verse / reward
• Read Bible story / activity (usually a coloring sheet or puppet)
• Trace circles on paper (prewriting)
• Walk around the house identifying objects that are the color white (colors)
• [Look at a picture book or do stickers if mom is interrupted by a nursing baby!]

See? Easy, right? And every day progresses just as simply, but effectively. Slowly introducing new concepts and letting my toddler enjoy the experience.

My son loves “School Time” as he calls it, and though we’re taking December off to do Christmas activities and family events, he still asks, “Can we do school today?” I love it!

You can check out Hands On Homeschooling, see sample lessons and read user testimonials online!

Do you homeschool? How did you make the decision for where and when to place your child in school?

Thanks to Terri at Hands On Homeschooling for having me review her curriculum. All opinions are 100% my own.