I've been thinking about teaching Eaden to read and spell/write a lot lately. With that, I thought why not start Kindergarten when she turns 5. Then start 1st when she turns 6, etc. It makes more sense to me anyway. Then you're starting at the same age with every kid and it's easier to go back to what I did before and compare and repeat with the next kid, knowing it is age appropriate. Obviously each kid is different, but you know what I'm saying. It also makes sense for homeschooling where learning is just a way of life. We don't take a summer break for example. It's a year round affair. It wouldn't make sense to take summer breaks here anyway as that's the absolute worse time to be outside (unless you're swimming). We just take a little break whenever we feel like it. No need for one that lasts 3 months at one time.
In the past, I have been pretty adamant about not starting too early. If something is a struggle (whether it be numbers, reading, potty training, etc.) then it is too early. I've never been worried about the kids getting enough playtime. As long as they are not in a public school, in my mind, they will get plenty of play.
Here are some great articles suggesting preschool activities and opinions on starting "school" too early.
http://www.besthomeschooling.org/articles/lillian_jones_ps_kdgtn.html
http://www.besthomeschooling.org/gateway/inted16.html
We will continue to do activities such as those mentioned in the first link, but I kind of just consider that life. In addition to life, we will have some more formal schooling type activities as well. Eaden is clearly ready to start reading and writing and so formal instruction, I believe, is needed. I do not see anything wrong with formal school type work. The only problem in today's world is forced boredom and balance. Kids are forced to sit and do something they could care less about and they are forced to learn in ways that are simply not interesting. In addition, the balance should be WAY in favor of play and "natural" learning at this young of an age, and in public schools, it is not. And that, my friends, is the beauty of homeschool!
There is one thing I just want to add here, because it's interesting and kind of funny. I know most young kids like school, but I just love my kids' attitude toward it and I hope it stays this way for a long while. Eaden and Naia will come up and ask me if we can "play school." I say of course, and we then go into our "homeschool" where we learn some useful thing or another with me as teacher. I think this is awesome. The idea of school as play.
I guess what I'm thinking for Kindergarten is this: Me keeping track of what we do, taking notes, etc. I might make loose plans for the week the weekend before. Maybe we will have a few large goals for the year. There will not be any big coherent plan or curriculum, but there will be time set aside for just Eaden and I. Time for me to read to just her, work on spelling, writing, and reading with just her. Time for us to do whatever it is she wants but where I focus on her....and document what it is we are learning and how it is going. That's it.
And for the random pictures to go along with this post...here's the blanket my Mom just finished for Taven!
