I am considering homeschooling my children. My kids are very young 15 months and 30 months, but I would like to start getting them on a daily routine or "curriculum" if you will. My only criteria is that it must be lots of fun, at their age their job is to play!!!! I just need a little guidance, the schedule is more for me than for the kids it is easy for me to get lost with what I am doing and lose focus on them. For when they get older what are the advantage and disadvantages of homeschooling. How does it exactly work? How do you stay motivated??????
For toddlers/preschoolers check out www.letteroftheweek.com. I've used this with my kids (ages 18mo and 3 1/2) and I love it. I began setting time aside more formally when my daughter was 2, but now I just work in some instruction here and there more casually. It's great! You can also spend time clicking around on www.starfall.com for some early literacy practice.
Hi M.,
You should look into Before Five in a Row:
http://www.fiveinarow.com/before/
Basically it talks about how to use classic children's literature and everyday life for learning. It's not a curriculum, but more like an idea book. It's great, and relatively inexpensive.
You might also look into Ambleside Online:
http://amblesideonline.org/
This is a free online curriculum based on Charlotte Mason's method, which is essentially learning through literature. In the early years it's mostly reading great books, going on nature walks, etc. You'd be looking at the year 0 recommendations.
I've got 3 boys ages 2, 4, and 6, as well as a new baby girl. People always ask how long we've been homeschooling, and I never know what to tell them. As far as I'm concerned, we've been homeschooling since birth. While we do have certain times of day set aside to work on specifics with the 6 year old, for the most part I want them to know that LIFE is about learning - not just "school" time. The advantages are too numerous to list - the best IMO is just getting to know my kids so much better. As for staying motivated - hook up with a homeschool group - there are many in the area - and spend time talking with the other moms. Attend conferences when possible, as the speakers are usually very good.
Good luck!
Hi, I am also new to homeschooling, but my kids are 5 yrs. and 11 yrs. Since beginning, I have found a great many resources on the internet that are free. A good one for beginning handwriting is handwritingforkids.com, if you are looking at that for your 30 month old. One thing you might consider, from the fun point of view, is unit study. Basically, you choose a subject and go in-depth, teaching everything from that one subject. At your kids' ages, maybe a book that they like to read at night before bed. I also have a lot more great, free worksheet resources online, if you're interested. You can get in touch with me through mamasource, or at ____@____.com this helps!
Best wishes,
D.
This is a friend of mine and she specializes in curriculum for 2-5 year olds. I'm planning to use it later!
I am a SAHM of 18 mo old and a 3 yr old.
I don't use a curriculum but I do teach them.
I have used the internet for lots of free stuff like...
http://www.first-school.ws/ they have lots of coloring pages and arts and crafts. I started using those to teach my son colors and I would print one it had letter A and Apple on it.
He started learning,words,colors.
I also find lots of things for them at the Dollar store.
I found some Pre-school workbooks that was all about Colors, Shapes,ABC's Writing,NUmbers. Each book has coloring,activities. They seem to love them. They had Pooh
Elmo,Barbie. So they also had characters in them they know.
The Dollar tree had each book for $1.00 its a great way
to teach them the basics.
We also invested in a few education DVD on learning the ABC's.
It has helped him and he loves it. They have words and letters
and he has picked up on words we don't say everyday.
My 18 mo old girl has even learned words from it.
Hope this helps.
I know many people that home school that I work with selling Usborne books - they specialize in educational resources and learning kits for all levels. Many consultants join just to buy their own books for home schooling - that is how my Supervisor started. You might consider it or at least get some ideas from their curriculums. Just an idea that has worked for many that I know. My e-mail is ____@____.com and my website is www.ubah.com/P2042.
