My kindergartner wont go to school, should i homeschool?

Question

he starts to scratch himself he is very different he is very shy and has seperation anxiety

Answer 1

Listen to your child.

Kindergarten is not mandatory, and as you may have noticed he is not ready.

You could start teaching him for an hour a day if you'd like.

Teach with games, and other fun things, read to him and watch DVDs like the Magic School Bus.

http://www.educationallearninggames.com/...

Use computer software there are so many wonderful educational games.

http://www.planetcdrom.com/discount-soft...

Get books like the Magic Tree House collection, or Usborne books, add a few research guides, read them aloud, and have fun.

Go to library story hours, join a mom and kids play group the sky is the limit.

Home schooling him may be an option later around age 6, 7 or even 8.

Book suggestion:

Better Late Than Early, by Dr. Raymond Moore & Dorothy Moore.

Check the library, or inter-library loan.

Really a must read for all parents.

EDIT:

Delemamomma, very sound advice, the additional information was well timed, and well

written.

Answer 2

I left my shy daughter in public school for a miserable year.  She regressed and cried every day.  It was two weeks into 1st grade, with her not eating lunch and still being upset, before I made the decision to homeschool.  It is a tough decision, with so much input to let the child adjust and get over their shyness.  But, a wise homeschooler told me a great story.  It was about a flower in the greenhouse, being protected from the blistering sun or damaging winds until just the point when it was ready to be strong enough to stand the weather on its own.  To me, that was what my shy daughter was, that plant.  I was putting her out into the cold, harsh environment before she was ready and it was causing her great distress.  

I'd say that it is a good idea for your son to be homeshcooled.  You may find that you only want to do it for a year or two, until he is ready to be set out into new environments.  But, in my case, we did it for a lifetime.  Our shy daughter was given the opportunity to develop at her own pace, not one mandated by government. She has grown into an outgoing, independent young lady who doesn't need the greenhouse anymore.  She went directly from homeschool to college with less bumps in the transition than her public school peers, and is a strong flower today.

Best to you in the parenting decisions for your child - you are the best person to make those decisions, and I applaud you for being concerned enough to explore all the options.

Answer 3

I am a teacher and home schooling parent.  Go with your gut.  If you are able to home school go for it!  He will mature in time if it is not forced on him.  What state do you live in?  If you are in California, check out www.ieminc.org.  For California and other states check out www.k12.com and www.connectionsacademy.com

Answer 4

The decision to homeschool is much more than making an emotional decision based on one or two things. By the time we finally decided to homeschool, I had spent a solid year researching the topic, looking into the legalites and options, talking to homeschool parents, and most importantly to me, praying about it. The "nudgings" to begin THAT process started a year before that, so the whole process took close to two years.

I'm not saying that to imply you should wait for two years, but I say it to encourage you to examine your statement. Did the idea to homeschool just "pop" in to your head for the first time when you saw your son's reaction, or is it something that has been lingering in the background for awhile?

No one can answer your question except you and your spouse, but here are some things I think you should do right away.

First, sit down and talk to your son, in a very relaxed manner and try to hear what he has to say to you. Next, talk to his teacher. Make an appointment to sit down and discuss the issue so she knows you are 100% serious about the situation and you are 100% committed to a resolution. Whether you get a reasonable answer or not, next, make an appointment to speak to the school counselor about it. In the meantime, research homeschooling for your area and find out the legal requirements, plus the responsibilities, including costs and so forth so you will know if this is a viable option for your family or not.

Always remember, you are in control of the situation. You are the one that knows your son, and what is best for your family. A lot of people say "oh it's natural for a child to be apprehensive when going to school for the first time" and they are absolutely correct. Young children trust their parents and see them as their comfort and protectors.

But most children do not have major personality changes and begin to harm themselves in this way.

Find out what is going on and make a decision as to how you are going to resolve it, whether it is a different teacher at school, or homeschooling.

Answer 5

He needs to be around other people and slowly learn to be separated from you little bits at a time.  Don't worry about 'education' yet.  

Your goal right now is to work on getting him over his separation anxiety.  You can do it!

- just slowly, minutes at a time if need be.  Try it with family, then story time at the library, at the playground.  

The more he is exposed to new situations and new people, the better it will get.  Start slowly, don't give up.  Do that for a year and I'll bet he'll be ready for an education then.

Answer 6

They said my son needed to be held back a year that he was immature but I feel all these years later that it was a big mistake, Yes I would home school him . I have 2 children currently that I home school using k12..they may be able to help you

My son graduated an on line charter school with a 3.5 and now attends the University Of Dayton with scholarships. On line charter school are accredited and they give you the same diploma that any public or private school would. They will help you with making sure all your state required tests are done (proficiencies etc )

Depending on where you live they have some all over. This is the one we currently are using, and it is great !

http://www2.k12.com/getk12/index.html

It is free, they will provide you with the things you need, a computer, printer, supplies, books and teachers are there to help you as well. If you need anything else please email me ..I have heard that the kindergarten program is great

Answer 7

I failed nap in kindergarten so they took me out.

Answer 8

I wouldn't send my dog to a public school let alone my child. Yes you should homeschool.

Answer 9

I wouldn't home school just because he's nervous about going to school.  Every little one is nervous when they start school but there are certain skills that kindergartners gain at school that they can't at home.  Plus, there are things in life that aren't always fun but we must go through with because it will benefit us in the future.  This must be ingrained in our brains at a young age or we'll grow up scared of the world and lacking experience.

Answer 10

I agree with the other posters - it sounds like your son is not ready, and you certainly are right to be concerned about him and want the best.  It really doesn't take that much time to hs in kindergarten or much money.  Just make sure you are ready to do SOME things with him every day.  He will grow and mature and then next year you can decide whether he is ready for school or whether hsing is working so well that you want to continue it.  If you have more specific concerns feel free to email me.

Answer 11

You should homeschool him. My mom homeschooled my older sister and brother through high schooland now I am starting high school  I also have 4 little sisters.

Answer 12

I think all kids have problems with going to school in the beginning. Once he makes more friends, I'm sure he'll enjoy going. You have to outweigh the pros and cons of homeschool before you just "give up" with public school.

Answer 13

Many of the posters have said what I would say.  

Homeschool is a big time committment for a mother.  If you have work outside the home, it will be very difficult for you, but it can be done.

Your curriculum choices these days are innumerable.  And there are some that say "Who needs Kindergarten?"  He will be able to 'catch up' in first grade.  he could get caught up to reading and writing in 4th grade if you keep him home without a formal curriculum but teach him reading and writing with stuff that you have around.

However, all that said, he is YOURS and your decision should not be made without your husband.  He should take some responisbsilty in the training of your son, and give it a try.  You won't regret it and nor will Juniour.

Answer 14

One poster said that K is not manditory.  I want to set the record straight.  K is not manditory in some states.  In my state, a child does not legally need to go to school until age seven!  For that reason, alone, you need to stop and wonder why whole states have such late dates for compulsory age laws on the books.  While no public schools ever release this information, it is none-the-less true.  They are not happy with the findings in books like the one a previous poster suggested.  Raymond Moore actually worked doing research for the public school system.  The findings he made turned him into one of the pioneers of the return-to-home-schooling movement in the US.  Many states have not succumbed to the pressures of the NEA and, therefore, still keep six or seven years on the books as the compulsory age for entering school.  Again, why?  Truthfully, young children (especially young boys) are much better off at home at least for the first seven or eight years.  Home schooling truly is, in my humble opinion, the very best choice for ANY child.

That said, I will step forward and bodly say that I do not think it is the best choice for every parent.  

Knowing that he is suffering now andd begging you, in so many words, to let him come home, I would suggest that you do so.  In the meantime, research home schooling.  Check your state laws.  Read lots of books to him and check out What Your K child Needs To Know to use as a general base for what you both read and leaarn this year.  Don't force him or worry about what he will learn.  When he loves to learn, he will learn seemingly without effort.  Have fun together and he may hardly realise that he is learning.  Don't try to make your home learning situation look like a school schedule for now.  Read that book by Raymond Moore and just enjoy your son.  If you decide at the end of this year that home schooling is not for you, then you can reevaluate the direction of his education.  He will still have had more time to mature at home.  That certainly will not hurt him.  

Here is a site with state laws and other handy information and links on starting up a home school.  www.hslda.org  Here is another  www.homeschoolreviews.com

The most useful support and information you will probably every get, however, is from the local support in your area.  Google your state, city, the biggest city nearest you, the word home and the word school all together.  That should get you a better list of what is available near you.  Even if you do not go for your son, go for yourself!  Boards like this are great for initial support and direction but ultimately, there is nothing like support with skin on it!  ;)

Answer 15

Homeschooling is great!  Not only because your child is shy, but just because it is a better education on its own merit.

Answer 16

Your son is obviously not ready to start school, and in many states kindergarten is not mandatory.  As someone else recommended, check out the homeschooling laws for your state at the Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) website:

http://www.hslda.org/Default.asp?bhcp=1

Look at this site carefully as it has much information on how to get started with homeschooling.  Then I would suggest that you do some research on homeschooling, i.e., different methods, styles, etc.  While you are doing your research, you can buy workbooks or get books from the library to teach your son.  Homeschooling does not have to be expensive, and if you have the time to do it, it can work for you.  

If you work in or outside of your home, it is still possible to homeschool if you have the support of a husband, relatives, friends, etc.  There is a website dedicated to parents who work/go to school while homeschooling.  The link is below:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WORKandHOM...

I hope this is helpful.