A few of my readers have asked what our plans are for schooling Little Buddy and Littlest Buddy. I will say that Little Buddy is only three, and plans can change, but I responded to the question based on our current thoughts (video below). We still have two years before Little Buddy will start Kindergarten, so for now we’re just working on learning the basics, both at home and with our various play groups.
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Hi Ellie,
Thanks for your post! Where can we find the list of resources you recommend?
Hi there.
Right now I have educational activity books from the following producers:
Gakken Workbooks
Valerie Deneen
Autumn McKay
Tinker Active
I also have Roger Priddy letter and number sticker books.
If I could go back and change just one thing from my parenting years of our children, it would be this: I would home school them.
I very much enjoyed my kids’ high school yrs and friends, but things have changed in public schools.
Your taxes go to pay the public schools. Use them. Save your tuition money for when it really counts later. You get out of school what you put into it so don’t sit back and buy the line that all public schools are bad. You and the other parents have the ability to change that. It’ll take effort (not laziness) but it can be done. Millions of well-educated, prize-winning, world-changing kids have graduated from public schools.
And no, don’t believe that public schools are going to turn your kids liberal. That’s not their agenda. Public schools will however expose your child to different types of people, which is an important lesson to learn if your child is going to help uphold a peaceful civilization that values human rights for everyone. Which do you want, that realistic world view, or your child going to school surrounded by nothing but kids exactly like him who then thinks this is the way the whole world is and should be? Careful answering that, because it’s a direct reflection on yourself.
I have actually found that most school kids will only talk to kids around their same age. When you homeschool your children, they are perfectly comfortable talking to adults as well as all age children. When you teach them that God created everyone and everyone is valuable, then they love and talk to everyone…. Not just people like them.
I disagree that public schools are not trying to indoctrinate children. I went to public schools when I was growing up, but the things that are being taught now are wicked. During this time of Covid a lot of parents have actually seen what their children are being taught and are horrified.
My brother drove a public school bus last year and the year before. He absolutely could not believe the sexual references and behavior that was occurring with elementary school aged children. Go work at a school or drive a bus if you want to know what schools are really like now.
I attended public school and my single mother was berated all the time and other parents wouldn’t let their kids be friends with me because we were ‘poor’. There is very little to be learned at public school except that the world is a cruel nasty place. Homeschool your kids at least until they are teens and ready to handle the miserable unhappy adults out there who raise their kids to be the same.
Awesome video! Is there a certain number of hours/day you aim for in terms of teaching? Also, what times of day have worked best for teaching? Trying to figure out my own schedule with this. 🙂
Right now just 40 minutes to one hour a day of concentrated book learning time, since he’s only 3 🙂 I find that he has the best attention span in the morning. How have you been doing it?
As a former teacher, your decision to homeschool makes me sad. Play groups are fine but I think children need interactions with other their age for optimum learning. Surely, there’s a church-based school that would meet your criteria. Please don’t bash me homeschool moms! This is just my opinion and I know yours on this subject.
I’m a former teacher as well. I recommend homeschooling!
Will feelings about vaccination stop you from thinking of public school? If your son is already getting lots of socialization is he fully vaccinated already?
Yes, we vaccinate our kids.
My opinion on schooling is the same as my opinion on feeding a baby. Fed is best. Schooled is best. Do whatever gets the child where they need to go.
I wish my parents wanted to homeschool me. I never liked school.
Galen workbooks are a favorite around our house! We are using the curriculum packages from Timberdoodle with our littles! They are quite pricey, but are packed with hands on learning opportunities! We save some of the toys and games from the kits to give to each kiddo as Birthday or Christmas gifts to help mitigate the cost.
I haven’t heard of Timberdoodle. I’ll have to look it up!
Oops! I meant to say Gakken – I guess autocorrect won out! 😉
Hi Ellie! I just wanted to encourage you on your homeschool journey! It is the most rewarding, time-consuming, enjoyable adventure you will embark on during your kids’ childhoods! As I’m sure you already know, they will get plenty of socialization through church, activities, and extended family. Just my two cents, but I wish I’d known about Five in a Row when my kids were little. I pray the Lord will bless you and your family as your raise your children for Him.
Thank you for your encouragement! What is Five in a Row?
I completely agree! I homeschooled my kids except for two years when I put them in school. Their achievement test scores actually went down being in school. Homeschooling is wonderful! You can tailor the learning to your child’s learning style. There are many homeschool groups with a wide variety of activities for socialization and field trips. I love that I got to know my children so well! You won’t regret it!
That’s great Ellie that you plan on homeschooling. It will be a fun experience. You’ll gets lots of encouragement from us seasoned homeschool moms who can offer help if you have questions. My girls have all graduated from high school now, all homeschooled.
Though your children are still young, it won’t hurt to research homeschool laws for your state though things could change by the time your oldest son is school age.