I am homeschooling 3 boys aged nearly 6, 4, and 2. We are using literature based “kindergarten” curriculums from Build Your Library and Torchlight to learn about different people, places, and cultures. I am using Blossom & Root for the “preschool” study which includes nature, art, and music.
Since there are 3 different curriculums, I make a checklist every week of all the things that we are supposed to do. I know this is not realistic but it gives me a quick reminder of the different books and activities I can put in front of my children. Here is Alex, my toddler, helping me with my checklist.
My number one goal for homeschool is to help them develop a love of learning. My secondary goal is to teach them how to ask and answer question…. how to learn.
My goals for myself are to learn to be more flexible, and to be more patient when my learning partners do not want to do the things I want to do. In those moments, I always forget that natural learning and following their imagination and curiosity leads to learning that sticks. Where as me reading to them about things they don’t care about may go in one ear and back out the other ear. Of course, it is my responsibility to expose them to new ideas and concepts and to encourage them to expand their horizons. Balancing these responsibilities can be tricky.
We chose homeschool for the connection and the flexibility. It allows us to see our children learn, and it allows them more time to be children, to experience awe and wonder, and to follow their curiosities.
It’s not all sunshine and rainbows. It can be hard for everyone to get along, and I personally tend to get a little cranky at the end of the day. At least the good always balances out the bad and we are having a lot of fun while we are learning a lot.
Reading for 4 