lgliser Posted September 24, 2012 Share Posted September 24, 2012 So, we are really considering homeschooling our 5 year old triplets next year for 1st grade, if not sooner. My husband, while is is all for it (maybe even more than I am!), wondered today if the kids would have too much free time. He didn't say for sure that he felt that way, it just entered his mind for food for thought. People talk about how quickly you can get done with school work, especially at the younger ages, so what do you do with the rest of your time? Do you fill it with educational activities? I had been thinking how NICE the free time would be for them! I mean, they're still just little! I like that they'll have time to just PLAY and be kids. So what do you all think? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ruby Rose Posted September 24, 2012 Share Posted September 24, 2012 Play is awesome! Outside time, imaginative play, art, park days, museum days, nature walks, free play. It all rocks! It's great to let kids just be kids. They learn by interacting with their world, not sitting in front of the tv or in a desk. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
missmoe Posted September 24, 2012 Share Posted September 24, 2012 Yup, they will have free time! Free time to use their imaginations Free time to play in the dirt Free time to help you sort laundry Free time to learn manners Free time to get to know their neighbors and community Free time to grocery shop and run errands with you or Dad Free time to read book after book Free time to complete art and craft projects at their own pace Free time to develop relationships with their siblings Free time to figure out what their passions are life Free time to hang out at museums Free time to help Mom and Dad out with DIY home projects Free time to get enough sleep Free time to bake cookies Free time to live life! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miss Peregrine Posted September 24, 2012 Share Posted September 24, 2012 Yup, they will have free time! Free time to use their imaginations Free time to play in the dirt Free time to help you sort laundry Free time to learn manners Free time to get to know their neighbors and community Free time to grocery shop and run errands with you or Dad Free time to read book after book Free time to complete art and craft projects at their own pace Free time to develop relationships with their siblings Free time to figure out what their passions are life Free time to hang out at museums Free time to help Mom and Dad out with DIY home projects Free time to get enough sleep Free time to bake cookies Free time to live life! Couldn't have said it better myself! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChristusG Posted September 24, 2012 Share Posted September 24, 2012 Yes! I love that I'm able to give my girls free time throughout the day! They play, imagine together, build their relationship as siblings....it's wonderful! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weat4 Posted September 24, 2012 Share Posted September 24, 2012 Hi! I have triplets too! They are in 3rd grade now and we love the free time. When they were in first grade we did field trips, spent time with family and friends in the afternoons, and had lots of time to just be and play. They were in public school last year and although they did well, all of us were happy to be back home this year. Even with all the "free time", all three read and write well, love learning, and are best buddies (most of the time!) I thought K and 1st were a blast to home school ~ enjoy! Julie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura Corin Posted September 24, 2012 Share Posted September 24, 2012 Mine spent a lot of time reading and playing. We limited screen time, and I count (pretty much) all other play as useful. Both came out as great readers and their fund of knowledge and use of English is the product of many hours spent reading a book on a sunny window seat. We also took weekly field trips in the younger years. Laura Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftyerin Posted September 24, 2012 Share Posted September 24, 2012 I have "Irish triplets"--twins and a singleton less than a year apart, and we're homeschooling them all together as a group. We are having a BLAST! We spend ~1.5 hours in the morning on school stuff, but most of our day is full of the fun things of childhood. They play inside with toys and outside in the yard. We ride bikes and scooters. We play board games, play doh, and do art (painting, stamping, stenciling, sidewalk chalk). We have a good in-our-rooms-playing-quietly rest time every afternoon. We take a music class and a homeschool PE class. We meet friends at the park or go to the zoo or aquarium. We run our errands and keep our house in (decent) order. It's really so nice to have so much free time. Do it! I don't think you'll regret it! :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DawnM Posted September 24, 2012 Share Posted September 24, 2012 At that age: Lots of games. Board games, learning games, fun games. Lots of play. TONS of field trips! We love the museums, parks, zoos, etc.....and we like them even better with friends! Believe me, that free time narrows greatly when you end up with an older child who needs more school per day and you will MISS the free time and flexibility you had when they were younger. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
.... Posted September 24, 2012 Share Posted September 24, 2012 People talk about how quickly you can get done with school work, especially at the younger ages, so what do you do with the rest of your time? Do you fill it with educational activities? I have a 5th grader, 4th grader, 2nd grader and a 4 yro. So, my answer depends on what group of kids we're talking about. The 5th grader and 4th grader have *ahem* hobbies. :glare: They research stuff like crazy. They catch insects, try to "google" them to see what they are, create habitats for them and do sketches of them. My 5th grader also makes booklets with paper and colored pencils. She will sketch and label plants, flowers, bugs, etc. She is also very interested in botany and has little plants growing in plastic baggies and pots all over the dining room. She even installed a "drip system" on our living room window. :glare: The 4th grader also spends alot of time playing with the 4 yro (strangely enough). They play with Halo Legos, army men...they build fortifying structures for their army men....they build fortifying structures for themselves... 4th grader also reads alot. Our 7 yro actually unschools. She will read books in her book basket. Lately, she spends hours drawing and doing projects with Snap Circuits. I just brought out Physics Workshop yesterday, so maybe she can make some pulleys or something. :tongue_smilie: We also cook together, go to the library, read-aloud, spend alot of time outside...all 4 of our kids are pursuing their black belts in Tae Kwon Do, so they are at the gym 3-4 times a week...sparring, training with weapons, etc. That's pretty much it. I try not to direct their activities too much. Good luck with your homeschooling!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lgliser Posted September 24, 2012 Author Share Posted September 24, 2012 Wow, these boards are amazing! Thank you guys so much for the support and encouragement! I just love it! I have triplets too! They are in 3rd grade now and we love the free time. When they were in first grade we did field trips, spent time with family and friends in the afternoons, and had lots of time to just be and play. They were in public school last year and although they did well, all of us were happy to be back home this year. Even with all the "free time", all three read and write well, love learning, and are best buddies (most of the time!) Awesome! Boys? Girls? Mine are BGG and will be 6 in a month! I'm curious, if you don't mind me asking, why did you try public school for a year? You say they did well... why did you go back to homeschool? I'm glad it's going so well! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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