We are still undecided on whether or not we will put Kenley in preschool. She will be turning 4 this summer and it seems as though it's just one of those things you are just supposed to do. Well with our family, I see it being an added expense (with no extra money coming in) and a scheduling problem between babysitting and working.
I feel awful not putting her in, yet I can't pin point why.
Preschool is education and teaching kids how things will be once they are in school, in addition to learning things. As with all parenting choices, everyone has thier thoughts. In all honesty I just assumed we would do preschool because that is what was done when I was little. But I decided that despite others views, I would look into preschool homeschooling. So off to Pinterest I went.
Now when we are talking about homeschool vs public school, our family will choose public school. I would say it's the majority. That being said, it doesn't mean that homeschooling is wrong. Just the lesser choice. The only thing that proves is what's right for some isn't right for all. We cloth diaper and know that it is a minority choice among lots of parents. (Although rising which makes me happy.)
Back to preschool homeschool. I decided to look into what exactly preschools teach and are set to accomplish. Essentially teaching our children. Well Kenley is almost 4, hasn't been in daycare since she was 2 because I got put off on sick leave prior to having Quinn. Well if you have ever met her, she is a pretty smart girl.
So my only thought about preschool homeschooling is that SHE ISN'T GOING TO LISTEN!! Also if you have met Kenley she is a very 'normal' almost 4 year old, in the fact that she likes to pretend at times that she 'can't' hear us. She likes to push buttons and all that good stuff. And while yes at times I'd like to rip out my hair, she also is just a kid. A kid who likes to read, do crafts and likes to role play with the best imagination I've ever encountered. So, let's give it a try.
So during Quinn's nap we had undivided attention. Away from all the distraction, and separated from the favorite stuffy. We started Week 1 of Homeschool Preschool. And do you know what happened?
She listened.
She actually freaking listened.
It was at times hard to keep a straight face since she was calling me Teacher Mommy, but we made it through an hour and a half of art, language, math and organizing. And she did great! She learned about 3 alphabet letters, their sounds, what words start with those letters, and how to draw them. We used her vast amount of hair clips to separate and learned the difference between big and little. Separating them into colors, and adding and subtracting them. Plus a little letter artwork and even show and tell and a snack.
To say that I could handle home schooling would be a big stretch, but my fears of 'homeschooling' aren't really justified. In any educational setting, most children will succeed. So as for preschool and if we will enroll her, the future will tell. But for right now, this is right for us. No question.
-Natalie
"Children want the same things we want. To laugh, to be challenged, to be entertained and delighted."- Dr. Suess