I’m thinking about homeschooling…
My friend and family member Catherine brought this up on a visit. I wasn’t completely surprised but I assumed she had other ideas for her family’s education.
Catherine Kristensen is mother to 2 young girls. As her children grow, Catherine has started thinking more about their education. Where will they attend school? What will best support them? How will they learn? How can she continue to instil their family values? She has looked at many different schools- Montessori, Private schools, Catholic Schools. Now, she is considering homeschooling. But, she has a few questions and homeschool fears.
We talked about these concerns on her last visit and decided to record one of the conversations. Her homeschool fears were not new to me. I have heard and felt them myself. And I am sure they are similar to the fears of others on this journey.
Why Homeschool?
With a large amount of choice offered in their area, I asked why she is considering homeschool. A big motivator is the influence of social pressures. Social pressures from peers and the environment. She wonders about the pressures her own daughters will face. Catherine remembers how tough it could be when she was growing up.
Time with her kids is also a factor. There are things that she wants to have time to do with her kids. Things that she wants to teach them and share with them. How would she fit this all in when they are away at school all day and still offer enough time for play and other things?
Homeschool Fears
Reading
Literacy is always a big question. How to teach them to read?
We talked about the different schools of thought on reading. One, allowing your child’s reading to develop in time. This follows each child’s developmental process. This may mean that your child may read early, or they may read late. As a parent you have to trust yourself and your child. You may also have to face some society pressure with the push to reading as early as possible.
Or, implementing a reading curriculum or program such as phonics. Which program would be best?
With either method, there is still an important first step. Creating a warm, literacy rich environment in the home. This helps reading to be a fun choice, not drudgery. A shared process, not a battle of wills.
Social Pressures and Learning
The concern of measuring up and where your child “should” be. How much should they learn and when?
Age differences between kids and the demands on a parents attention. How can she best support each child and their needs?
When is a good time to have them start focusing on academic work?
The importance of play
The Importance of Trust.
How Journaling is a great way to document their learning.
Discipline. Communication. Processing emotions.
This is a fantastic episode that had me reflecting on my homeschool process as well. Many of the fears still come up from time to time. Comparison and social pressures. Especially as my kids are getting older. The constant practice of communication and trust.
If you would like to hear more about natural learning and literacy check out these other episodes:
If you would like to hear from homeschoolers themselves check out these episodes:
References from this episode
