My husband is an elementary school administrator. I’m a former teacher. Though we have always been supportive of those who homeschool, we never thought we would be educating one of our children at home.
Parker doesn’t look like it, but he will be four in a few months. All 23 pounds of him. With his health as fragile as it is, going to school simply isn’t a good idea. Our school district has a preschool teacher that comes to our home once a week. She is an excellent teacher and we are grateful for her visits.
But for a kid as inquisitive and eager to learn as Parker, a once a week preschool session just isn’t enough. Especially considering that each new concept introduced needs to be broken down as basically as possible. Some kids may instinctively know how to build with blocks. Parker had to be taught how to stack blocks. And then shown the joy of knocking them back down again.
My son’s learning style doesn’t reflect a lack of intelligence. It demonstrates the need for information to be presented to him in a fashion best suited to how he learns.
I’ve been reading and researching. I’ve created units centered around a single concept geared specifically to Parker’s learning style. Each unit will teach Parker new signs too. You can’t find this kind of attention to detail in a typical preschool setting.
I will be sharing with you glimpses into our homeschooling experience as well as presenting posts from other families who have chosen to educate their special needs kids at home. We’ll share what worked. And what didn’t. I hope you’ll join me. Bring your questions. Bring your ideas. And don’t forget your art smock.
Together we can create successful learning experiences for all of our kids.
Tammy and Parker also hang out at their other blog: Praying For Parker
Yes we can.
I look forward to the journey with you and Parker…and all the messy fun that is sure to be a part of the process.
I look forward to reading about your journey with home schooling. I am strongly considering home schooling Evan.
Homeschooling Maizie was one of the most difficult but best decisions we have made.
I look forward to visiting your blog. Parker is a cutie.
This is EXACTLY why I chose to homeschool my 5 middle children. The school district just couldn’t meet all of their individual needs the same way I could.
Looking forward to hearing some of the techniques, as I plan on eventually homeschooling my twins as well and have never started with a child under 5 before.
Tammy, what a fantastic column idea! I know this will be invaluable to so many families.
I always admire those who homeschool. I am a lot like you… under normal circumstances, I wouldn’t likely choose to homeschool (simply because I don’t believe teaching is my gifting), but if my children needed me to, then I would drop what I was doing and somehow figure it out.
I just adore Parker and I’m excited to journey along with him as he learns more and more.
We are about to begin homeschooling this year. Currently, our two sons have IEPs — one for an Autism Spectrum Disorder (Asperger’s) and one receives his under the umbrella of an “Emotional Disability.” We’re hoping that home is going to be the perfect place for them!
It sounds like you are off to an awesome start! I really feel that parents need to take the responsibility for what their kids are learning, even if they are in a regular school. When I was fighting to have my son’s speech therapy reinstated to his IEP last year, I knew that ultimately I would make sure he got the therapy, even if the school wouldn’t provide it.
Looking forward to hearing about (and learning from) your journey with homeschooling.
Hooray for Homeschool! I can’t wait to read about your journey with Parker; I’m sure it will be filled with joy and triumphs!