Hate The System

As a homeschooler, most uninformed people assume that I believe that I am better than teachers. It's not true. I have many friends, fellow churchgoers, and even family members who are educators in the public school system.

I want you to understand the respect I have for public school teachers and administrators. I did not go to school that long for a reason. I do not have the patience to educate large groups of children or keep their attention (or even adults in social situations)... and to be honest, sometimes I even find it difficult to care about other children's education.

5 Unusual Ways I Keep My Son Active

First of all, any mother of a "Pre-K'r" can tell you that there is no energy shortage when it comes to this age. They are constantly on-the-go... and that's good! 

   In many kids, once they get a couple years older, they hit a slump. They don't care to do anything, care about anything, or even crave to learn anything. They just don't care, and sometimes this lack of caring causes other bad habits to form. I can't tell you what puts them in this slump; I'm not qualified to do that. Nor am I anymore qualified to tell you how to raise your children... or even keep them "Pre-K'r active"... but I can tell you how I keep my Pre-K'r on the move. It's probably not what you would think.

The Surprising Reasons I've Chosen To Homeschool

  I'm no veteran homeschool mom with eight children and 23 years of homeschooling under my belt. In fact, I'm quite the opposite. My only child just turned three, and before he had even entered the "Preschool" or "Pre-K" realm, I knew I was going to home educate. By no means am I saying this is the right choice for everyone, because really it’s not, it is however the right choice for my family.

What Sound Does It Make?

This week we dove heartily into the letter "A" and what sound it makes, using ABCMouse.com as our "game-changer." Although ABCMouse.com isn't for everyone, we use it because Alexander is used to these kinds of puzzles, books, games, and other similar features from his grandmother's Nook. He also has a MobiGo that we use for those "no-nap" days and mom has a few errands to run. He's started expanding his 'gaming' with the games that he has to include the letter ones... which is difficult for him, since we're just starting the alphabet, but I imagine it won't be long.

Starting From The Beginning

We started our letters this week. We've made little progress, but I assume it is because we have not fully dedicated ourselves to learning each letter.

Instead we've been reviewing some signs (working on basketball, thank you, and a few others), shapes, and singing songs. I'm okay with that. Sometimes I just have to remind myself that he is only two, and we have time.

We have also been working on reading together, and even attending church regularly.  This coming Sunday will be mine and Alexander's 4th week of attendance. I try to avoid taking him to the nursery, in an effort to acclimate him to quietly playing/coloring when others are talking and the process of prayer. At two, he does as well as can be expected, provided he has a snack and a beverage to hold him over.

He was invited to attend pre-K Sunday school, and most days he really likes that. I decided to return to my church because I wanted to get a support system in place for both Alexander and myself/my husband... you never know when you are going to need it. As a homeschooler I'm trying to keep my son involved in activities that are age appropriate,  but keep him interested.

Success Sharing - Counting on Sign

As most of you have read, Alexander is learning sign language. I have reasons for this (and if you want to know them, read them on About) and for the longest time "I love you" has given him grief. He finally has it down though, and he loves it! If we're talking on a car ride and he finds himself making the sign he screeches and has to show everyone. As a two and a half year old, he knows how to say food, more, A-L-E-X, mom, dad, grandma, grandpa, please, ball, and sorry. We've chosen words that he is likely to use daily, but since he's in "the terrible two's" we don't really push the signing when he's in a mood. However, he is an incredible learner and can actually recognize his name.