It’s Never Wasted Time

24 July 2013

nothing is wasted

I recently read something on Facebook that was attributed to Garrison Keillor that I wanted to share with parents: Nothing you do for children is ever wasted.

Now those are words to hang on to, especially during the challenging preschool years!

My Facebook comment was: Your children won’t remember everything you do for them, or adventures you share, or even every book or song. It might feel like it’s a wasted effort sometimes, but it’s not. Everything you do is important, and your children will benefit greatly, and so will you.

I know parents sometimes wonder about all the effort that they invest in the moment, knowing full well that their children are young and won’t remember. Some may even be tempted to enroll their children in preschool with a plan to homeschool later when they think their child will remember – but those toddler/preschool years are important, too!

It’s true that kids don’t remember day to day, but all that we do with and for them has a cumulative effect, and the only waste would be wasted learning opportunities if it hadn’t been done.  Children don’t have to remember everything when they are grown to have it be important in their development.

Every day counts.You probably remember a few things that were important to you when you were young. And now you are the one making a difference in a child’s life every single day, even when it doesn’t seem like it!  It’s never wasted time, and years from now, you’ll share stories and photos of their childhood, and be grateful for the time you spent with them. What a priceless gift!

Originally published at universalpreschool.com.

 karen2
Karen Taylor’s always homeschooled son attended a local community college after graduating from homeschooling. He transferred to UC Berkeley as a junior, and received a PhD in neuroscience from UCSF.  She shares homeschooling comments and links on Facebook, Pinterest, and this blog.
 
 
 

Save

Save

By Karen Taylor | Posted in Encouragement, New homeschoolers, Preschool |

My Homeschool Lesson

20 July 2013

I vividly recall the day – no the moment – that my son taught me how to homeschool. He was five, and it was our first official year homeschooling, and although he was continuing to stay home with me as he always had, it felt different. I regularly vacillated between being overly concerned, and reasonably relaxed. I recall that I felt the need to prove I had made the correct choice in homeschooling, and that I didn’t want to make a mistake and ruin his life. I felt the societal pressure of how much more important things were now that he was old enough for kindergarten. Typical beginner emotions, I’ve since learned.

We were visiting his grandparents that day, and they suggested going to a museum. What could be better than a field trip? It was another opportunity to experience the advantages of homeschooling. I was ready!

As we walked through the exhibits, I carefully pointed out things because it now seemed important that he not miss anything. After all, his peers were in school – this was the big league now, and I felt the pressure to “do it right.” We moved on to an antique car.

Knowing his interest in mechanical things, I wanted him to view the simple engine so he could learn something. I enthusiastically got down on the floor and suggested he get down with me to look under the old car. Then I looked up and saw that he was still standing and patiently pointing to a large floor mirror that I had not noticed. It was directed at the underside of the vehicle, and he was busy observing the engine details, only from a more comfortable standing position.

At that moment, I received the greatest lesson of the day. I learned to relax and trust my son. He didn’t need me to tell him how to learn! I stopped pointing out everything, and began trusting that he had the ability to see these things for himself.

These days, he’s the one who shows me things that I might otherwise miss, and I’m pleased to accept his help.

Originally published in “The California Homeschool Guide”.

Save

 
karen2
Karen Taylor’s always homeschooled son attended a local community college after graduating from homeschooling. He transferred to UC Berkeley as a junior, and received a PhD in neuroscience from UCSF.  She shares homeschooling comments and links on Facebook, Pinterest, and this blog.
 
 
 

Save

By Karen Taylor | Posted in Gifted, Homeschooling, New homeschoolers, Unschooling |

The Importance of Homeschooling Support

7 July 2013

Updated 9/27/2022

It doesn’t matter if a homeschooler is single or married, it’s a good idea to avoid homeschooling solo. The primary homeschooler will benefit from having a partner who can occasionally help teach, bounce ideas, and just take some of the load off to prevent burnout.

Your homeschool support might come from a spouse, friend, grandparent, or other homeschoolers. If you are married, the obvious choice may be your spouse, but if that person is not available due to work or lack of interest, then find a friend or relative. But first make sure that you’re not discouraging your potential partner from helping. Sometimes the primary homeschooling parent gets territorial in wanting to be the only one to help their children!

It’s probably not going to be a 50/50 arrangement. It may not be all about academics, although sometimes the primary homeschooler will enlist the help of someone who is more knowledgeable in a subject and a perfect choice to help.

Maybe your homeschooling partner can be your idea person or the person you go to when you’re ready to give up. It’s going to look different in every family. It doesn’t have to be an official partnership, but something you consciously keep in mind by asking for help. Do what it takes so that you don’t feel that you have to take on the teaching of every subject, and to be there for your children without a break 24/7! It’s good for you, for the kids, and also for the person you ask to help you!

  • Have you read my blog about how my husband helped me homeschool our son?  It’s here:  Homeschool Dads.

Save

 
karen2
Karen Taylor’s always homeschooled son attended a local community college after graduating from homeschooling. He transferred to UC Berkeley as a junior, and received a PhD in neuroscience from UCSF.  She shares homeschooling comments and links on Facebook, Pinterest, and this blog.
 
 
 

Save

By Karen Taylor | Posted in Encouragement, Gifted, Homeschooling, New homeschoolers, Unschooling |

Help! My Child Wants to Go to School!

9 June 2013

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Updated 9/29/2022

Every year I hear from someone who isn’t sure what to do when a young child announces they want to go to preschool or kindergarten. It’s a common problem, and it can cause a crisis if the parent is planning on homeschooling!

So, what can you do? Many parents want to honor their child’s wishes, sometimes to the point of allowing them to make all of their own decisions, but I want to toss out another perspective – that a young child doesn’t have enough life experience to decide whether to go to school or be homeschooled.

Deciding something as important as school is an adult matter. One reason parents feel such pressure is because friends and family often ask if the child wants to be homeschooled. What an outrageous question! They’d never ask if a child wanted to go to school because our society expects and wants kids to go to school!

While I advocate respecting a child, I don’t think that a young child should make all the decisions. I suggest sticking with the original well-thought-out homeschool plan while taking the time to thoughtfully listen to the reasons why the young child wants to go to school.

Usually the reason is because:

  • A friend is going to school.
  • They want a lunch box.
  • You read a book to them about school, and it sounds interesting.
  • They want to ride the bus.
  • They want new school clothes.
  • They want a backpack.
  • They want a school photo or ID card like their friend has.

Or maybe your child heard that kids at school do [fill in the blank] and that sounds like fun!

Many of the reasons can easily be met in other ways. When my son was a preschooler, he wanted workbooks and homework so he could be like his older neighborhood friend. I bought some at a thrift store, and he happily filled them in until it was no longer important to him. Once you know what a child really wants, you can make it happen outside of school!

Young kids like their world to make sense. Confidently explain the various options, that some kids go to public school, some go to private school, and some are homeschooled – and they are going to be homeschooled. There is comfort in knowing your parent has things under control.

For optimum beginning homeschool success:

• Have some fun! Celebrate the beginning of homeschooling by baking cookies, making playdough, or going on a field trip!

• Find a homeschool Park Day, and go every week!  

• Order something very interesting, and let your child know it’s because they are being homeschooled. Get an educational game, a science kit, or find something free that is offered to teachers!

• Do not ask your child if they are happy that you decided to homeschool them. Ever! If you ask a child if they are happy, you are showing doubt and that will make them wonder if there is a problem they hadn’t thought of. They will also feel the power you just gave them and use it in ways that aren’t good for either of you. No child is happy every moment, homeschooled or not, and it’s good for children to learn that they are responsible for their happiness. Have confidence in your decision! It’s good for both of you.

• Do not allow any family member or friend to undermine your homeschool decision in front of your child. Some subjects need to be limited to adults only, and firmly stick to this.  No child should grow up hearing other adults criticize his parents.

There will be other wants in your child’s life in the near future, but they won’t be as emotionally charged as the school decision. Keep it all in perspective, and have a great homeschool year!

Originally published at universalpreschool.com.

Save

 
karen2
Karen Taylor’s always homeschooled son attended a local community college after graduating from homeschooling. He transferred to UC Berkeley as a junior, and received a PhD in neuroscience from UCSF.  She shares homeschooling comments and links on Facebook, Pinterest, and this blog.
 
 
 

Save

Save

Save

By Karen Taylor | Posted in Encouragement, Homeschooling, New homeschoolers, Parenting, Preschool |

The Early Walking Curriculum

30 May 2013

... from mother and grandmother.

Updated 9/29/2022

I encourage you to read Amy Milstein’s tragi-parody about Early Walking: “The Early Walking Curriculum.” It is a glimpse into our future 25 years from now, where experts are talking about the importance of all children walking early. Fictional studies are touted to support the benefit of making sure all kids walk by 12 months, with special intervention for those who don’t. 

Of course, the notion is a bit laughable, because we’d never do anything so crazy as expect all babies to walk by 12 months. . . or would we?  The ever-increasing “standards” the government is coming up with can steal a childhood and damage perfectly normal children by labeling them with problems that they don’t have.

We need to stop the nonsense of increasing academic demands on our preschoolers. The first step is to not accept it for your own child. Give your young child the chance to develop at their pace. While you know you don’t need Amy’s fictional walking curriculum, say no to early academics too, along with pre-kindergarten “readiness” programs, because it’s not science fiction – it’s our sad reality today, and we need to stop it before we indeed do have an Early Walking Curriculum.

Save

 
karen2
Karen Taylor’s always homeschooled son attended a local community college after graduating from homeschooling. He transferred to UC Berkeley as a junior, and received a PhD in neuroscience from UCSF.  She shares homeschooling comments and links on Facebook, Pinterest, and this blog.
 
 
 

Save

By Karen Taylor | Posted in Gifted, Homeschooling, New homeschoolers, Preschool |