Homeschooling???

Question

I want to homeschool my daughter. She is 2, 3 in November. How do I start? What age should I start? What should I teach? I didn't attend Highschool so I don't know what the current expectations are. What books do I need? I don't want to send my daughter to the schools in my area PERIOD! So homeschooling is the next best option, I just don't know how to start. Thank you in advance for any answers.

Answer 1

This is a great age to start, there aren't a lot of expectations for academic achievement, so you can observe HER and find how she learns through play.

Read a lot, find places online with info, like http://homeschooling.gomilpitas.com/

with everything from how to start, and what to do. There are so many TYPES of homeschooling, different curricula and books and styles, that so much depends on your family and life styles. We unschool our children, and it has been amazing for MY two yo (who will also be three in November) There's also curriculum fair in a box, this organization will send a sample of different curricula for you to look through

http://www.3moms.com/html/home.asp

Depending on where you live, find a homeschooling group. At that age, get involved with an AP group, many of them utilize homeschooling because it allows them to retain that attached parenting lifestyle. It will allow you to build friendships with adults, and her to built friendships with other children.

Good luck and enjoy!

Answer 2

Hi,

Welcome to homeschooling.

She is just 2 so her playing is a great way for her to learn. Your local bookstores and Libraries have Storytimes for Toddlers that are free and great for social interaction (some even do little Arts & Crafts to go with the story). Make her a part of your chores (as in get her to help you in her way), if you are cooking let her help and make it a game ( math, measurements, reading, identifying), when you go shopping have her find certain colors or shapes and let her count the number of things (apples, etc) and let her help with the money ( give it to the cashier or give it back to mommy) and talk about the coins or bills.

Everyday life is a lesson in and of itself, you just have to tap into it's lessons.

Do you remember the song Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star? Just change the words for traffic light understanding....

  Twinkle, Twinkle traffic light on the corner shining bright;

   Red means STOP!

   Green means GO!

   Yellow means Go, but Very SLOW!

  Twinkle, Twinkle traffic light on the coner shining bright.

  ( I used this with my kids for colors and traffic rules when I taught preschool).

Since she is still Preschool, you do NOT have to formally enroll her in anything at this point. Meanwhile check your State laws at www.hslda.org and if you move make sure you check them for wherever you move too (if you leave the state).

You can find workbooks at places like the bookstore or Walmart and online at places like Amazon.com.

Some homeschool magazines to check out are The Old Schoolhouse Magazine, Teach and Practical Homeschool available at both bookstores, by mail and at Christian Stores and online with ezine.

There is also a new ezine called Mary and Laura Old-Fashioned Fun For Girls and you can access it by going to www.maryandlaura.webs.com ( if you remember Little House on the Prairie and liked it, then you will love this ezine).

There are a lot of great free internet sites that have stuff for little kids that you can download and print off.

Feel free to contact me at [e-mail].

Answer 3

If you're going to start home schooling her this young, get her involved in activities with other children her age. I would recommend sending her to some sort of public, or even private institution for a few years before homeschooling her. This way, she learns to properly socialize, which is the biggest concern of parents who home school. I wasn't home schooled until junior high, so i got a taste of both worlds.

However, if sending her to a public school is absolutely not an option, just make sure that you get in her involved in extra curricular activities when she gets a little older. Research to see if there are any home school groups in your area. Get in contact with them and they will help you figure out what sort of curriculum to teach your daughter, what sorts of books are needed each year, and what requirements need to be met by your state/board of education. Most of these groups also arrange many get activities for their children to partake in as a group so that they can still make friends, and be in contact with other children.

Answer 4

Hi Lizzy,

I know that many Christians choose to homeschool their children. I can only suggest getting in touch with some churches in your area as a starting point and see what information they can give you.

I do know that your child will have to take government exams on a regular basis to make sure she is at the least at the same level as her peers at certain levels.

Fortunately, from everything I've read, homeschooled children are far ahead of their contemporary age-group who are educated in government classrooms.

Good luck with this. It's very commendable and I'm sure a lot of hard work lays ahead, but I think you are making a wise decision.

P.S. Make sure you find about any tax breaks, or financing that is available to you because your tax dollars are already going to support your local schools.

Answer 5

ok, the 1st thing to teach your daughter is just play, thats her whole world right now. I commend you on what your doing, but can i give you alittle advice, how can you teach her if you yourself hasnt been to highschool?? you too need a education yourself.

When your not homeshcooling your child, how about getting your education too at home??

You can go far in homeschooling your child, unless you get an education yourself too.

Answer 6

this should help..

http://www.wikihow.com/Homeschool-Your-C...

Answer 7

Right now the best education is play! 2 and 3 year olds are not ready to sit and learn to read but you can incorporate play that will get them ready for those skills. Coloring and learning to write their names, molding play dough, stacking blocks and so forth are all great things to do with her.

You need to know the law in your area. You can go to http://www.hslda.org and find all the laws you need for your state.

For curriculum right now I wouldn't worry about it. They are going to learn everything they need to know through play. maybe around 4 you can go to Walmart and get work books that teach the basics for about 10 bucks. School shouldn't last more than an hour or so at that age so keep it simple.

For older kids you can look into Sonlight. We are using this curriculum and we love it.

Answer 8

This is a great time to start investigating homeschooling. Sonlight has a great preschool homeschool program with lots or reading with your daughter. I think you'd really like it. We used it for 5+ years and my kids are doing well. They have learned so much and they both now love to read!!

You will make a great teacher for your daughter. You can start any time little by little. It can be a really great experience.

Also check with http://www.hslda.com for laws in your state. They have an easy to understand version on their site.

Warm Regards,

jana

http://www.purehomeschooling.com