Comments on: The #1 Reason We Aren’t Sending Our Kids to Public School for Kindergarten

By: Mckayla

Mckayla — Wed, 12 Dec 2018 03:49:37 +0000

I know this is an older post but just wanted to comment. We were homeschooling our 5 yr old daughter up until last week. I’m spread thin with my 18month old and my daughter definitely needs more activity than I can currently provide. She’s very extroverted and loves having friends. We went and visited the public school out here and LOVED it. Every classroom we entered the children were singing, dancing, playing, or making crafts. They don’t have homework, just the teachers encourage reviewing sight words and reading aloud at home. I’m hoping to return to homeschooling for first grade after I can recover from a few personal things going on in my life. But even if she does go to public school first grade I think I’d be okay with it if I’m not ready to return to homeschooling. I wish I would have visited the school sooner… i was very impressed because in my head I thought all they did was “busy work” all day. The kids looked so happy there and she begs to go back every day. For right now, it’s a good choice for our family.

By: Liz

Liz — Tue, 14 Aug 2018 02:38:50 +0000

So touched by your post here! I too am beginning to homeschool my 5 year old who’s the oldest of 3, and sometimes it’s easy to feel nervous and wonder about what’s on the other side if we sent him to school. It would be easier, you are right. But, I LOVE how you said, we want kids to have as much time to play and be shaped at home at this age. That too is my goal right now, and I’m finding it’s so fun to watch the light bulb go on when he learns something. That I would also miss!

By: Lindsay

Lindsay — Wed, 13 Apr 2016 16:54:15 +0000

I think parents should check out their local school before making this decision. I am a kindergarten teacher in a public school. I have been teaching for 28 years. We play EVERY day. The children paint, build, create and explore. I do not send home homework and we do not do spelling tests. We are outside daily (weather permitting) and the children are actively learning about topics of interest to them. I differentiate based on needs and interests. I have several children reading on a second grade level so they make ‘projects’ based on books we choose together. I have several children not reading yet and that’s ok too. We work on pre-reading, reading, writing and math in meaningful contexts. I read a minimum of 6 books a day (one is a chapter book series that we get to one or two chapters a day). I have dramatic play, blocks and Legos, an easel and a wealth of science materials for the children to use, just to name a few activities provided. I don’t have desks…. we hardly sit at the tables (except by choice). We sing, dance, talk, play, and learn cooperation, patience, communication skills, turn taking, empathy and respect for differences. We have organizations from the community in frequently. We learned African drumming, how to make puppets, what is it like to be a paleontologist and have had several local authors visit this year so far. I think it is unfair to assume ALL public schools are not appropriate for young children and the decision between public, private and homeschooling is a choice that should be made after careful consideration with knowledge of the programs available in your community,

By: Katelyn Fagan

Katelyn Fagan — Fri, 30 Oct 2015 02:48:23 +0000

In reply to JEN Garrett. Thanks Jen! Good luck with being a Mom!

By: JEN Garrett

JEN Garrett — Tue, 20 Oct 2015 04:54:41 +0000

It’s often assumed that I homeschool my kids. I guess I have that air about me. Even though I’ve chosen to send my kids to public school, I, too, feel that their education and parenting is my responsibility. Being a Mom is hard, and nobody can tell you the best way to do it. Well, except God.

Kudos to you.

By: Corianne

Corianne — Mon, 19 Oct 2015 21:06:17 +0000

Thanks for this post, I enjoyed reading it. This is also the main reason we are homeschooling for second grade. Being in first grade at school all day was just too much for my son last year. He was at a great school and had fantastic teachers, and yet everyday he came home so overstimulated, almost “shut off” mentally. He was just too “done” to play creatively or extend mental effort. Now he spends much more time in trees and building ever more complex creations and creative writing and things he loves. Even the level of books he is choosing to read himself has made a huge jump. Kids, especially mine I am learning, NEED play and unstructured time. Homeschooling has been a great way for me to provide my children with exactly what they need. So far I think it is totally worth the work and effort, and I’m hoping I still feel that way when our newborn arrives this winter. I’d love to read more about your homeschooling and advice for handling it all with an infant along.