The Preschool Question
I’m getting asked “the preschool question” about once a week now. It doesn’t surprise me now as much as it did when D was barely 2, but I’m still trying to decide exactly how to answer it. Answer A: No, no preschool next year – we’re feeling good about how D is learning at home. (This is true, but a bit evasive.) Answer B: No, we’re leaning toward homeschooling for as long as it works for our family. (This response has occasionally been greeted with friendly curiosity, occasionally with awkward silence. Oh well.)
The truth is, I already think of us as a homeschooling family. Learning starts at birth, so you could say all families start out homeschooling, and at some point face the decision about if and how to outsource or “formalize” the learning process. Right now, I’m really happy with our casual, home-based approach, and can’t think of a reason to change it. I love providing D with good books and fun experiences, and watching her learn. I love the freedom to create a life and approach to learning that really reflects our family, our values and even our community.
My biggest trepidation about not sending D off to preschool? Finding playmates for her as all the other 3 and 4 year olds we know go off to school. There’s no problem getting her around other kids for things like story-time, Sunday school, perhaps a tumbling class… But that’s not really PLAY. For that, I think I’m going to have to do a little searching, esp. in some of the local homeschooling groups. It would be nice for D to know some other kids learning at home!
Thanks for coming back! As always, I'd love to hear your thoughts.
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Tags: child development, homeschool, importance of play, preschool
Filed under: Learning All the Time
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I am in exactly the same place. My children are 2.5 and almost a year. I consider us a homeschooling family. I was even looking at some preschool curriculum. I tossed it all away for now. For now, we read alot (really alot), we paint, play with glue, sparkly things that will never truly leave my house, get down and dirty in our exploration, and in general just try to experience the world.
I am also looking for a play group for just some play. My older one is wanting to play with other kids. She really loves it.
1 Karen said this (April 18, 2010 at 4:39 am)
Curriculum is so tempting! But I agree – not for now
It sounds like you guys are having a lot of fun! Good luck finding a play group – I think I’m going to wait until closer to the fall when more of our current playmates are in school…
2 Brenna said this (April 18, 2010 at 5:48 am)