Preschool

I think it's funny to hear people refer to what we do as "homeschool" preschool.  Last I knew, "Preschool" was optional.  And really- c'mon- why shouldn't it be?  Isn't 5 or 6 young enough for kids to start their never-ending cycle of responsibility?  I get it, that kids in daycare might as well be in a school-ish setting, preparing for kindergarten.  And I also understand that some children don't get read to, or color and write and do fun little projects at home.  But what eats at me is why must I constantly defend and explain our decision to stay home and learn before school even begins?  Why does Halle get funny looks when people ask her where she goes to preschool and she says 'nowhere'?

We will not be homeschooling our kids.  (As of right now.)  I have to say though, I -for sure- respect those families who do.  And do it well.

 

--Okay.  I'm off my soapbox now.  :) --

 

This is what our preschool time looks like, most days: 

 

The  girls check the weather, fix the calendar, and practice reciting whatever little rhyme we're working on (days of the week, months of the year, our address, etc.)  Some days we use their workbooks, some days I have some little project to cut and glue, and sometimes we just play a game or do puzzles.  It never lasts more than 30 minutes or an hour.

They also get "computer time" once in awhile- they think it's some kind of huge treat.  :)

Lately we've been working on telling stories- with a beginning, middle, and end.  I picked up an oil drip pan and some magnet paper and printed up a bunch of random things for them to use (works better than the flannel board I originally thought of making!)

They love telling them and listening to them:

Nothing we do is fancy or advanced.

And although I do work with Halle on handwriting and letter recognition and sounds, I am NOT pushing her to read.  She does that on her own- I'm not trying to get her too far ahead of where she needs to be going into kindergarten. 

But I'm not going to stop her from writing or reading on her own:

 

(Super Readers

it is time to fly

but Super

Why is Mean)