How Our Homeschool Journey Evolved: From Playtime to Learning
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Update: August 2024
As of August 2024, we’ve started using the “Pre-K Curriculum – Kindergarten Readiness Program” from Keeping My Kinders Busy, available on Teacher’s Pay Teachers. We chose this program to ensure that we’re fully prepared for Kindergarten, focusing on integrating scissor skills and fine motor development. My girls have been loving it so far!
I also picked up the Skillmatics scissor activity set to support scissor safety and control further. While we had been using regular children’s scissors from Walmart, I wanted to create a more controlled environment for their frequent use. I especially appreciate the adaptor feature on the Skillmatics scissors, which helps with reopening and enhances safety.
Our homeschooling journey is indeed a story to tell, but before we delve into the details of this educational path we’ve chosen, it seems important to give you a glimpse into the context that led us to this decision. I’ve been homeschooling my twin daughters since they were two years old, adopting a relaxed approach that respects their pace and interests.
This shift to homeschooling was not something I had initially envisioned for myself or my family. I became a Stay-At-Home Mom (SAHM) quite unexpectedly, before I could return to work from maternity leave. The catalyst for this dramatic change was a job loss, an unfortunate consequence of the economic downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. This unexpected turn of events, however, opened up a new path for us, one that has brought many challenges, but also countless rewards.
Our Homeschool Journey Approach: Learning Through Play
Our homeschool journey embarked on a play-based technique that was both engaging and educative for my daughters. This method included a myriad of activities that served as a gentle introduction to fundamental concepts such as numbers, letters, shapes, colors, and more. The intention was to make learning enjoyable and interactive, rather than a chore or a task. Our structure for learning was not rigid or fixed, instead, it was flexible and adaptable to the needs and interests of my daughters.
We didn’t stick to a single curriculum; rather, we cherry-picked the best elements from a variety of different curriculums that suited our needs in the beginning of our homeschooling journey. Additionally, I utilized free resources that I discovered on popular educational platforms such as Pinterest and Teachers Pay Teachers (TPT). This approach allowed us to have a diverse and comprehensive educational experience that was tailored to our specific needs and learning styles.
Incorporating Curriculums: The Good and the Beautiful
In September 2023, we embarked on a new educational journey with the Good and the Beautiful Preschool Curriculum (not an affiliate link). This curriculum initially presented an engaging and captivating experience for the young learners, capturing their imagination and interest. However, as time progressed, their initial enthusiasm and curiosity gradually waned, leading us to a point where we used this curriculum only sparingly.
As the season shifted and the festivities of Halloween approached, I incorporated a fresh resource into our learning environment – the Preschool Playbook (not an affiliate link, just love this product). This new addition was particularly appealing to me due to its unique structure, which was organized around weekly themes and hands-on activities. This provided a fun and engaging way to learn, although it did necessitate some weekly preparation on my part.
One aspect of the Preschool Playbook that I found especially beneficial were the book suggestions provided for each theme. This feature allowed us to expand and diversify our library loans, introducing my children to a broader range of literature and topics. This not only enriched their learning experience but also fostered a love of reading and discovery. Overall, despite the need for some preparation, the Preschool Playbook has proven to be a valuable tool in our homeschool journey.
Maintaining Routine: Our Homeschool Journey From Preschool to Kindergarten
Ever since their birthday in January, I’ve been advocating for a more structured schedule in our homeschool journey to ensure their development is well-guided. To maintain a balance between routine and spontaneity, and to keep their interest levels high, I occasionally schedule days dedicated to free play. These days offer a break from structured learning, allowing my daughters to engage in other activities that stimulate their creativity and physical skills. Their progress thus far has been commendable.
They have almost mastered letter sounds, a fundamental skill in learning how to read and write. Their aptitude in this area signals that we’re ready to embark on the next phase of their learning journey. We are set to start the Good and the Beautiful Kindergarten Prep Course (not an affiliate link), a comprehensive program designed to prepare children for the rigors of kindergarten. I’ve already procured this course, eager to provide my daughters with the best educational resources available.
Please note, the three curriculums discussed in this course are paid. However, from kindergarten upwards, the curriculum of the Good and the Beautiful is free.
Organizing Our Homeschool: Tools and Techniques
Our homeschool journey has brought about many different learning curves. It’s an entirely new experience, a new way of absorbing information, and it’s been a journey of discovery for us. Even though there is currently no requirement for me to keep a detailed record of our progress, I’ve realized that organization plays a crucial role in this process.
To aid in this, I have invested in a series of file folders and a dedicated organizer. Their purpose is to systematically store all of our completed curriculum pages from our homeschool journey. This not only keeps our work tidy but also allows us to refer back to earlier work easily, which is incredibly useful for reinforcing learning.
In addition to the physical tools, I’ve also discovered a digital tool that’s been incredibly helpful. It’s a Notion Homeschool Planner I found on Etsy, and it’s been invaluable. This planner has proven to be an essential tool for tracking attendance, monitoring the progress we’re making through the curriculum, and planning out our daily learning activities.
For the everyday tracking of activities, I have developed a method where I ensure that each document is dated. This allows us to keep track of when each piece of work was completed. I then record all of the tasks we have completed in the monthly overview section of my planner. This provides a clear and easy-to-understand visual representation of our progress and helps us stay organized and focused on our learning goals.
Our Homeschool Future: An Ongoing Decision
Choosing to homeschool is a significant decision that may not be the right fit for all families, but in our particular situation, it’s proven to be an incredibly beneficial choice. The flexibility and personalized learning experience that homeschooling offers have been a wonderful fit for our family’s needs and dynamics.
Over the next few months, we will be embarking on a new journey as we search for a new home. During this period of transition, I will be conducting a thorough evaluation to determine whether our homeschool journey continues to be the best educational approach for our family. This decision will be made with careful consideration and a thorough understanding of our family’s needs, the educational resources available to us, and the potential impact on our children’s future.
Regardless of whether we decide to continue with homeschooling or opt for a different educational path, I am eager to share the insights and experiences that I have gathered on this journey. I hope that by sharing our experiences, will provide valuable perspective and support to others who may be navigating similar paths, exploring the option of homeschooling, or simply curious about alternative educational approaches.
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