Thread: Home schooling ponders

I've been thinking about home schooling lately, although Isabella goes
to nursery Ive often said (more in a jokey way) I could do a better
job, I sometimes feel she has learnt more with me than at Nursery
(sorry not being big headed). One reason she does go to Nursery though
is that she became too old for alot of activities we went to,
playgroups, music and art groups we used to attend (mainly for social
factor), went up to age 3 or 4. I wasn't finding any other children of
a similar age for her to play with as they all seemed to be in
nursery... or maybe in hiding I don't know haha. I was getting worried
about her being around 1-3 year olds all the time. So what do parents
who H.S do about that?
Also how do you meet each childs needs? Doing things for Isabella was
fine when her brother was younger and didn't mind tagging along and
watching on the side. Now he is a toddler and is his own person with
his own needs. These are differen't needs to Isabella and a different
developmental stage. I have to say now she is going to Nursery full
time it means I can give Lucas my full attention. One thing is his
speech, he is 20 mths old and barely says anything, I think it has
alot to do with his very vocal sister.

Originally Posted by Nanny_Danni

...One reason she does go to Nursery though is that she became too old for alot of activities we went to, playgroups, music and art groups we used to attend (mainly for social factor), went up to age 3 or 4. I wasn't finding any other children of a similar age for her to play with as they all seemed to be in nursery... or maybe in hiding I don't know haha. I was getting worried about her being around 1-3 year olds all the time. So what do parents who H.S do about that?

This has been one of my concerns recently about DS (2.9yrs) & our decision to HEd....he sees a few older & younger children once a week as my MIL is a childminder....but other than that he is one of the eldest at the toddler group we go to & although he seems to love it...I think thats got more to do with the toys they have rather than the company as he mainly plays on his own there...so over the past 6 months or so Ive been finding out about all the HE groups in my area & trying a few of them out. Im a bit restricted with what I can do & where I can go atm due to finances...but there is quite a lot going on for HEd families in my area so know that as DS gets older he will have plenty of places to go & groups to visit that will keep him happy.

Where abouts are you if you dont mind me asking? Most areas seem to have HEd groups in/around them.

Cant help with the meeting each childs needs aspect as DS is my one & only so far....but Im assuming you manage ok during nursery hols?

Yep, have a look for your local home-ed group and see if there are any classes/groups that run for preschool-aged children? Round here we have music groups, drama, tumble-tots, swimming classes, all that kind of thing. Which aren't that great for actually playing with other children but they are useful for finding people you gel with to hang out with, and for giving you a bit of space even if it's just sitting in the car for half an hour outside the venue!

It's really nice to not have to go anywhere or do anything on any particular day though. Just hang out and do your own thing, whatever that is.

We've Home edding Mia 2yrs and Tarka & months and find that they both love mixing with the children at our local HE group who range in age from 7 months (Tarka!) to about 13 yrs. I think it's a positive thing to mix with other children of all different ages, so if you have a local Home Ed group, that would be a really good start!
HTh
Gina***

I agree with all above. Another way to socialize is to find an activity or sport they are interested in trying. All of my daughters are homeschooled and they are all enrolled in ballet with Hannah now taking an interest in soccer and Josephine in Girl Scouts. Isabella has an interest in being a moody preteen at the moment LOL!