Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Monday, October 27, 2008

What About Socialization

This is probably the most asked question we come across as homeschoolers but its also the easiest one to answer.

Lets look at children in the school system, lets look at their socialization. They spend their days sitting in a classroom with other children their own age learning from one single adult for the most part. Sure they have recess when they can actually socialize with others but as most of us know kids in general don't all play together at school. They start at an early age picking their friends and grouping off. Not very often will you see mixed ages hanging out together either.

Now lets look at homeschoolers like our family. We don't sit in a classroom all day with children our own age. We are out living life and exploring the world around us. Almost all homeschool activities and classes we attend do not separate the children by "grade" or ages, its all inclusive which is simply wonderful. There is so much to be learned from one another.

Park days are my most favorite activity and sometimes you'll find us at the park more then at home. Today was a regular bi-weekly park day for us, the kids ranged in ages from 4 years old up to 13 years old and EVERYONE got along perfectly and all hung out together, worked together, played together and shared with one another. Not only do we have the socialization of the children but we have the benefit of the parents as well - more then one adult to learn from and to share with, more then one opinion.

Honestly I could go one about this subject but I won't. I feel I've covered what needs to be said so I'll let you decide if my children aren't getting any real socialization.

If you would like to further explore this issue a simple google search will bring up plenty of reading material.

Comments are always welcome :)

Sunday, October 26, 2008

Pay It Forward


Spookiez Spot is participating in a pay it forward plan. I signed up and now I am paying it forward. Let the fun begin!

HERE ARE THE RULES: The exchange focuses on doing an act of kindness without expecting anything in return other than that the recipient will, in their turn, pass the kindness along and pay it forward in their own way.This is how it works... I am going to agree to send something fun, inspiring or uplifting to the first 3 blog owners who post a comment on this entry (please leave your e-mail address if I don't all ready have it.) In turn,those three will post this information and pick 3 people they want to send something to and so on.

If you are interested in participating, be one of the first 3 blog owners to leave a comment!The little something you send can be something you made, bought, were given or found. No biggie, just a gift that will make the person smile. Maybe something unique from where you live?

There are no cost restraints, but don't go crazy!If you'd like to join in, be one of the first 3 people to leave me a comment. You have to promise that you will then post about this on your blog, link to me, and then send something to the first three people who sign up to play along through your blog .

In return I ask that you Pay It Forward to 3 other people in some way. It doesn't have to involve money; there are untold ways to help others every single day, everywhere you go; just look around.

Saturday, October 25, 2008

Our New Home

Yup, that's right we've moved. Welcome to our new family blog!

The time has come to shift things and start another blog, this will help keep business and pleasure separate for the most part. I've moved a few of my earlier posts here so I didn't have to start completely fresh.

We are a family of four, my husband, myself and our two boys who we will call ME and CJ - they are 5 and 8 years old. We are homeschoolers, very relaxed and pretty close to being unschoolers, We believe that children need to just be children, they need to freely explore the world around them.

Before becoming a Mom I was a preschool teacher and I was taught that children learn best by doing and being allowed to follow their natural curiosity. This is what I'm calling natural learning, its what comes naturally. I studied Bev Bos while earning my degree in Early Childhood Education. You can't force a child to learn something they have no interest in, it goes in one ear and out the other. Children will learn when they are ready, not when someone else decides its time all 8 year olds need to multiply or learn world history.

So my job as a homeschooling Mom is to allow my children to freely explore what interests them for the most part. It is my job to provide a rich learning environment where curiosity is abundant. It is my job to encourage new ideas.

It is not my place to force my children to sit down for hours everyday and do "school work". I do not want to halt their natural learning process, I want to encourage it and help in grow. Does this mean my children are allowed to just do whatever they want whenever they want? No it does not. Children need guidance, they need love and understanding, they need us to help them in their journey. I don't believe in unparenting!

Do we sit around and do nothing all day? No we enjoy lots of wonderful activities with other homeschoolers. We are blessed to have a wonderful support group and resources available to use in our community. We attend weekly park days, weekly art classes, tennis lessons, marine biology, homeschool science class at the museum and so much more. Co-ops with other families and endless learning opportunities are available to us. We even have the choice to attend monthly field trips with our group.

I hope this helps you understand a liitle bit about who we are and what we do. Follow us in our journey as we learn and grow together as a family.