bttrflyvld Posted September 10, 2012 Share Posted September 10, 2012 We are Just starting out. My daughter is pre-k and we have had a lot of fun so far this year. Planning our our year though, I found that I starting too much! There is so much great stuff out there it's easy to get carried away. I did recognize what I was doing and backed off. I know their will be bumps in the road and you have to transition as needed, but I was wondering if you had 1 bit of advice that I could learn from you? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoVanGogh Posted September 11, 2012 Share Posted September 11, 2012 1.) Most people change curriculum/philosophies several times before finding their grove. 2.) Sometimes what works for years suddenly doesn't work anymore. That is okay. 3.) Don't curriculum hop, but don't stay committed to a curriculum once you know it isn't working. 4.) The first year is the hardest. Really. It doesn't matter what age your child is when you start, that first year is hard. 5.) It does get easier. Really. It does. 6.) Relax and have fun. The time goes by fast. 7.) Every family is different. What works for one may/not work for your family. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
janainaz Posted September 11, 2012 Share Posted September 11, 2012 1.) Most people change curriculum/philosophies several times before finding their grove.2.) Sometimes what works for years suddenly doesn't work anymore. That is okay. 3.) Don't curriculum hop, but don't stay committed to a curriculum once you know it isn't working. 4.) The first year is the hardest. Really. It doesn't matter what age your child is when you start, that first year is hard. 5.) It does get easier. Really. It does. 6.) Relax and have fun. The time goes by fast. 7.) Every family is different. What works for one may/not work for your family. :iagree: Put the relationship first - above all else. Don't assume a curriculum is 'bad' because your child whines or cries about doing school (at least early on). The best advice I was ever given was from my husband, and that was to take the emotion of out it. Just because your child might be a roller-coaster of emotion from time-to-time does not mean that YOU need to be! :tongue_smilie: If that does not make sense now, it might someday! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kareng Posted September 11, 2012 Share Posted September 11, 2012 1.) Most people change curriculum/philosophies several times before finding their grove.2.) Sometimes what works for years suddenly doesn't work anymore. That is okay. 3.) Don't curriculum hop, but don't stay committed to a curriculum once you know it isn't working. 4.) The first year is the hardest. Really. It doesn't matter what age your child is when you start, that first year is hard. 5.) It does get easier. Really. It does. 6.) Relax and have fun. The time goes by fast. 7.) Every family is different. What works for one may/not work for your family. :iagree: Put the relationship first - above all else. Don't assume a curriculum is 'bad' because your child whines or cries about doing school (at least early on). The best advice I was ever given was from my husband, and that was to take the emotion of out it. Just because your child might be a roller-coaster of emotion from time-to-time does not mean that YOU need to be! :tongue_smilie: If that does not make sense now, it might someday! :iagree::iagree: Both these are excellent advice. Be sure to enjoy the ride because much of it is discovering as you go. Welcome to the homeschooling world!:001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Targhee Posted September 11, 2012 Share Posted September 11, 2012 Relax! Enjoy this time together and allow spontenaity to guide you! You won't be able to do that as easily or often in the later years. Also, remember that just because they *can* learn something doesn't mean they should (or that it's the right time). Playing, experiencing the world (unstructured) is so very important for their learning and development that curriculum shouldn't replace it - only add to it. Best wishes! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterPan Posted September 11, 2012 Share Posted September 11, 2012 Develop good habits. That's you, the kids, the house, discipline, cleaning routines, cooking, caring for self, anything. Just sayin'. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1GirlTwinBoys Posted September 11, 2012 Share Posted September 11, 2012 Enjoy those primary elementary years as much as you can (k-2). They are the absolute best. We had so much fun and just kept things laid back and relaxed. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SnMomof7 Posted September 11, 2012 Share Posted September 11, 2012 My top advice is...RELAX. (Giving this advice to myself as often as possible...STILL.) Your children have a natural proclivity to learn. They may not learn WHAT you think they should be learning WHEN you think they should be learning it, but they will learn. Learning is what God made children to do :). Welcome, and have fun! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clear Creek Posted September 11, 2012 Share Posted September 11, 2012 We are Just starting out. My daughter is pre-k and we have had a lot of fun so far this year. Planning our our year though, I found that I starting too much! There is so much great stuff out there it's easy to get carried away. I did recognize what I was doing and backed off. I know their will be bumps in the road and you have to transition as needed, but I was wondering if you had 1 bit of advice that I could learn from you? The two bolded words above do not go together, IMHO. She is still a young child, so have a few resources on hand in case she asks for something specific (like learning to read), and plan some fun, no-stress educational activities. She still has twelve full years (beginning two years from now) to learn all things academic. She only gets to be a young child exploring her world once. Develop good habits. That's you, the kids, the house, discipline, cleaning routines, cooking, caring for self, anything. Just sayin'. :D :iagree: There are hundreds of posts here from people who are miserable and living in chaos because they didn't get/use the opportunity to develop these habits in themselves and their family members before homeschooling became a full-time profession. Take advantage of the time you have now, you won't get another chance at it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SorrelZG Posted September 11, 2012 Share Posted September 11, 2012 Use these early years to nurture the relationship, instill good habits, use the time for growing in your own education in preparation for the years ahead instead of over planning for your young child. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meggie Posted September 11, 2012 Share Posted September 11, 2012 With young children, especially babies and toddlers: Flexibility! What starts working may stop a few weeks later. Last week, my preschooler wanted to do an entire page of handwriting. Today he did three lines. Last week my toddler took two naps a day. This week she's been taking one three hour one. Who knows what she'll do tomorrow. My first grader varies between being able to handle a lot and get it all done in a day to resisting and not wanting to do anything. For a preschooler especially, STOP all formal lessons as soon as they start to shut down. There's a fine balance between stretching their limits and breaking those limits. Learn where that line is with your daughter and stop once she's past the limit. Learn how to make things your own. Tweak the schedule, organization, teaching methods that work for you. There are a TON of good ideas out there. I used to be frustrated that I couldn't take someone else's method and copy it. There is a learning curve that you'll figure out as you go along. If you're a perfectionist like me, don't let this cripple you. More reading, more reading, and more reading. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bttrflyvld Posted September 11, 2012 Author Share Posted September 11, 2012 :iagree: Put the relationship first - above all else. Don't assume a curriculum is 'bad' because your child whines or cries about doing school (at least early on). The best advice I was ever given was from my husband, and that was to take the emotion of out it. Just because your child might be a roller-coaster of emotion from time-to-time does not mean that YOU need to be! :tongue_smilie: If that does not make sense now, it might someday! Great advice! Thanks everyone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mommy22alyns Posted September 11, 2012 Share Posted September 11, 2012 Relax and do lots of fun stuff when they're young. I heard and believe that the first year of homeschooling is like tossing and turning to get comfortable. And OhE is completely right - habits! Have fun. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
................... Posted September 11, 2012 Share Posted September 11, 2012 Don't let the ideal be the enemy of the adequate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ellie Posted September 11, 2012 Share Posted September 11, 2012 Read, read, read--John Holt, Charlotte Mason, Susan Wise Bauer, Mary Pride, Dr. Raymond Moore. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Professormom Posted September 11, 2012 Share Posted September 11, 2012 Develop good habits. That's you, the kids, the house, discipline, cleaning routines, cooking, caring for self, anything. Just sayin'. :D :iagree: at the age yours is at, having them mind you is paramount. Also, I know that is can be hard to see the forest for the trees at the beginning... Remember you have about 13 years to do this. It all doesn't need to happen in Pre-k;). Decide on your basics for this year, maybe some reading instruction, learning games, math basics, learning to obey cheerfully and putting their things away when they are finished using them. Throw in lots of read alouds and you will be golden. Then, next year assess what is important for that time. Over the long haul, you will have ups and downs, but keeping academics and character training balanced will give you lots of fruit to enjoy along the way... Good luck, it is an AWESOME journey! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ALB Posted September 13, 2012 Share Posted September 13, 2012 :iagree: Put the relationship first - above all else. Don't assume a curriculum is 'bad' because your child whines or cries about doing school (at least early on). The best advice I was ever given was from my husband, and that was to take the emotion of out it. Just because your child might be a roller-coaster of emotion from time-to-time does not mean that YOU need to be! :tongue_smilie: If that does not make sense now, it might someday! Wow, that's good advice! I need to remember that one. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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