It’s been a little over three years since we made the decision to provide preschool activities for G at home. He was just 2-1/2 when he began with those fun little fine motor control exercises and hands-on crafts!
Deep down inside, it was always a dream of mine to teach my children. Though I don’t hold a formal education degree, my passion lies within that field….especially when it comes to expanding the minds of my own flesh and blood! In my free time I love and enjoy reading education articles, browsing educational product and toy stores, and browsing blogs of teachers and other homeschooling parents.
From birth on, I could physically and tangibly see the intrinsic thirst for knowledge in my children….and I considered it the highest calling to be the primary one to nurture that need.
As they grew, so did my curiosity — could I really teach them preschool at home? Would they listen? Would they love it? Would they learn?
Three years later, I can say yes to all of those questions. These have been some of the sweetest, most adventurous, most rewarding years of my life. I have been able to spend so much quality time with them both — watching them move from skill to skill, master ability after ability. I have been able to plan fun and creative things for them to do — and also been able to JOIN in the fun!
We have just made the decision to continue homeschooling this coming fall — as in, G’s official kindergarten year. Much prayer and thought went into it — and I wholeheartedly hold that this is the right decision for him, for us, for now.
The benefits are just beginning to be discovered, but here are just a few of them we’ve noted for our family:
~ Free choice of curriculum. I have the freedom to teach Bible stories and Christian principles, interspersing them among academic subjects. Since G will turn six just after the school age cut-off date, he has mastered most of the kindergarten concepts….so I will be able to teach some subjects on a 1st grade level — and adjust accordingly according to his needs.
~ The freedom to focus on individual interests. Though I won’t let the basics slide, homeschooling allows for wiggle room when it comes to studying subjects that really interest and intrigue G. If he really likes a certain unit study, we can extend it a little longer than specified and add in further exploration.
~ The ability to spend so much quality time with my two most favorite short people on the planet! It’s true. I love hanging out with my two kids! They are entertaining and endearing. I have learned so much about them so far — I can’t wait to see how much more I’ll grow to know them this year! Stronger family bonds and a greater quantity of quality time are two big pluses for us.
~ The opportunity to meet so many neat new friends! Though I’ve only been on this official journey for a month or so, I’ve already met so many new friends, both online and off, who are walking this same road. AND I’ve been able to talk with so many former homeschooling moms who I respect highly, gaining wisdom and insight about things I haven’t considered, encouragement for rough times ahead. We’re making sure our kids get adequate social time with friends their age through play groups and other activities (ballet for R and karate for G).
I am heavily indebted to those who have helped me so far — from our state’s independent homeschool association, to the informative folks I’ve met via The Homeschool Lounge (I found so much help there in choosing curriculum), to friends and family who support us so fully.
The kids are excited. I’m a little scared. (And excited, too.)
And it will be a learning process….but a fun one.
(Addendum: I will share bits and pieces of our adventures this fall and beyond, but I have always said that I didn’t want Muses of Megret to be a “homeschool blog.” I must respect the copywritten curriculum as well as the fact that not everyone homeschools……or wants to hear about it. I just wanted to get this post/announcement out there….and would covet your prayers and thoughts as we move toward this new challenge!)
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