girls backpacks for preschool image
Q~T
My husband has asked me if I would like to home school our daughter. We have plenty of time to think about it. She is only 1 1/12, but already goes to school. (day care). It's more like preschool. They follow a strict curriculum. What are the pros and cons of private school verses home school? Public school is not an option here at all. We live in Louisiana!!!
I have so many great answers. I'm going to have a hard time picking the best one! I would like to thank all of you.
Answer
I'm a public school teacher, and I can confidently say that the writing skills of public school kids are not any better than those of homeschooled kids. Some public school kids are great writers, some are awful. Same goes with the homeschooled kids.
It's the same with any subject. A student's success depends on a number of factors. Some parents are qualified and educated enough to provide a great education for their kids; some are not. Some public schools are great; some are not.
That said, I'd homeschool my own kids. The "socialization" lessons they learn at school are not the lessons I'd want them to learn. It's up to you, but after teaching in a public school, I wouldn't want my kids around all of those influences. They can socialize just as well in other activities.
Also, some of the posters are correct about homeschooled kids seeming "off" or different. It's true they are not like public schooled kids. I think this is for the better. When homeschooled kids are mainstreamed, they are usually more mature in some aspects (behavior, higher level thinking skills) and more "childish" in other aspects (they play with toys longer, they are interested in learning and don't act like they hate everything). They aren't seen as "cool". Personally, I think that these are advantages so long as you aren't planning to mainstream them later. The only real disadvantage is that they have to learn to sit and do work without talking for long periods of time- they aren't used to that.
Of course, if the parents are not educated or don't have the time or money to homeschool their kids properly (or if they have some weird fundamentalist agenda), then public school is better.
Our friends homeschooled their daughter until she was 16 at which time she took the GED and passed it. At 16 when most kids were juniors or sophomores in highschool, she started community college- just taking a few courses a semester that she liked and some that would help her earn an associates. When she turned 18, she had completed most of the general requirements for a degree. She went backpacking through Asia for about a year, then returned and applied to universities. By then, she had a fuller range of opportunities and experiences than most kids and knew what she wanted to do. She graduated in May with a nursing degree at the age of 21. This is the typical age to finish college, but she learn a lot more, got to take her time doing it and never had a day of public school. When she was little, she socialized with adults, younger children and kids her own age. She was involved in the city paddling club, girl scouts and a homeschool group that met for "field trips". She also had a part time job from the time she was 15.
When we met this family, the girl was still 12. She still played with dolls and rode her bike around the neighborhood. She could also cook all sorts of cuisine, speak Spanish, play guitar, and she had traveled all over the US and Europe. She took a state test each year through a homeschool organization and did above average each time. Other kids her age might have thought she was a dork, but homeschooled kids and her large family and her involvement in the paddling club gave her plenty of interaction.
The 12 year olds in my class are in gangs or want to be in gangs. Some have probation officers, one is pregnant and several are functionally illiterate. We frequently have arrests on campus for drug use and weapons and fights. I know all schools aren't so bad that this is the norm in middle school, but by high school your child will be exposed to all of this. My friend teaches in a suburban highschool that has a good reputation, and a kid brought a gun to school last year. Another time, they disrupted a prostitution ring among the students. Drug dealing is a daily matter. You say you are preparing your kids for the real world, but you can teach your child about these things without them being directly exposed to them on a daily basis. If they get a good education and go to college, they will not have a job where they are exposed to this daily. You don't have to experience something directly to learn about it. I've never been to prison, I was not involved in the Holocaust, I've never shot heroin- but I know about all of those things.
Public ed is a nightmare.
I'm a public school teacher, and I can confidently say that the writing skills of public school kids are not any better than those of homeschooled kids. Some public school kids are great writers, some are awful. Same goes with the homeschooled kids.
It's the same with any subject. A student's success depends on a number of factors. Some parents are qualified and educated enough to provide a great education for their kids; some are not. Some public schools are great; some are not.
That said, I'd homeschool my own kids. The "socialization" lessons they learn at school are not the lessons I'd want them to learn. It's up to you, but after teaching in a public school, I wouldn't want my kids around all of those influences. They can socialize just as well in other activities.
Also, some of the posters are correct about homeschooled kids seeming "off" or different. It's true they are not like public schooled kids. I think this is for the better. When homeschooled kids are mainstreamed, they are usually more mature in some aspects (behavior, higher level thinking skills) and more "childish" in other aspects (they play with toys longer, they are interested in learning and don't act like they hate everything). They aren't seen as "cool". Personally, I think that these are advantages so long as you aren't planning to mainstream them later. The only real disadvantage is that they have to learn to sit and do work without talking for long periods of time- they aren't used to that.
Of course, if the parents are not educated or don't have the time or money to homeschool their kids properly (or if they have some weird fundamentalist agenda), then public school is better.
Our friends homeschooled their daughter until she was 16 at which time she took the GED and passed it. At 16 when most kids were juniors or sophomores in highschool, she started community college- just taking a few courses a semester that she liked and some that would help her earn an associates. When she turned 18, she had completed most of the general requirements for a degree. She went backpacking through Asia for about a year, then returned and applied to universities. By then, she had a fuller range of opportunities and experiences than most kids and knew what she wanted to do. She graduated in May with a nursing degree at the age of 21. This is the typical age to finish college, but she learn a lot more, got to take her time doing it and never had a day of public school. When she was little, she socialized with adults, younger children and kids her own age. She was involved in the city paddling club, girl scouts and a homeschool group that met for "field trips". She also had a part time job from the time she was 15.
When we met this family, the girl was still 12. She still played with dolls and rode her bike around the neighborhood. She could also cook all sorts of cuisine, speak Spanish, play guitar, and she had traveled all over the US and Europe. She took a state test each year through a homeschool organization and did above average each time. Other kids her age might have thought she was a dork, but homeschooled kids and her large family and her involvement in the paddling club gave her plenty of interaction.
The 12 year olds in my class are in gangs or want to be in gangs. Some have probation officers, one is pregnant and several are functionally illiterate. We frequently have arrests on campus for drug use and weapons and fights. I know all schools aren't so bad that this is the norm in middle school, but by high school your child will be exposed to all of this. My friend teaches in a suburban highschool that has a good reputation, and a kid brought a gun to school last year. Another time, they disrupted a prostitution ring among the students. Drug dealing is a daily matter. You say you are preparing your kids for the real world, but you can teach your child about these things without them being directly exposed to them on a daily basis. If they get a good education and go to college, they will not have a job where they are exposed to this daily. You don't have to experience something directly to learn about it. I've never been to prison, I was not involved in the Holocaust, I've never shot heroin- but I know about all of those things.
Public ed is a nightmare.
should i stay behind the door on first day of preschool?
Jasmine
my duaghter is EXTREMELY attahced to me. i just enrolled her to start preschool which is very expensive. i paid upfront. what do i do on the first day of preschool.???her preschool is for 2 hours a day.s should i stay behind the door the first day and reassure her that mommy is here just behind the door or what? i know she is going to FREAK OUT,shes never been in daycare or anything.just home with me since she was born. what do i do?please help
Answer
I work in daycare, so I see many new children enter for the first time. Sometimes it is harder for mom or dad to let go than it is for the child. I would suggest talking to the teachers. There should be nothing wrong with you staying for a bit, and leaving when your child is more comfortable. I would be weary of a daycare/preschool that did not have an open door policy that allowed you to stay(if your really felt it was necessary) . Now if they do not allow you to stay, I would not assume the worst about their care, as many preschool believe that once the parent is out of the room, the child will settle in. They should at least allow you to stay behind(out of sight) to be sure your child is settling in(if you request that).
There should also be no problem with you coming into the room with her, showing her the classroom, meeting the teachers, etc. Do not reward overly clingy behavior. I see many parents bring in their child, and when the child cries, clings, etc the parent holds onto them like they were sending them away to their death, or apologize for leaving them there(which makes the child think they are someplace bad), or go to leave, but keep coming back(which upsets the child more).
Be confident when you take her in. Be excited that she is going someplace new. Sit down with her and get her involved in an activity. When you are going to leave, do not sneak out, tell her goodbye. If she cries, reassure her that you will be back soon, and you know she is going to have a great time.
If she really has a horrid time, you will need to make plans with the pre-school to help her. Possibly being in the room the whole time one week(but keeping your interaction with her limited), moving toward the door each day until you are right next to it. The next week moving to the hallway(so she can see you, but you are not actually in the room), and finally going home. If going home is too big of a step, you may want to stay in the building, but if she requests to see you, you can stand at the door and then walk back away(be sure you tell her to request to see you, but you will not come into the room, or talk/play with her, she can just see you). The next step is go home, and tell her you will be home.
It is a good idea to prepare for school. Let her know what is coming, and that she will have a great time. Some children like to read books to prepare for school. You may want to tell her that since she is a big girl she gets to go to school. Tell her big girls get to pick out a backpack(if she needs one), a new first day outfit, etc. It will make going to school a pleasurable experience. Do not fall into the trap of bribery though, don't offer to get presents(toys, candy, etc), just school related items. If pre-school is still a few days away, you could make a count-down chart to prepare her, so it is not a surprise. She could color in boxes, or tear off paper, etc. When she does this, be excited. "We get to color in another school box! I'm so excited, you are going to have so much fun at school." You can also prepare her by talking about what will happen on the first day, "We will get ready in the morning/afternoon. Mommy/Daddy is going to drive your to your first day of pre-school. Mommy/Daddy will help you get settled in, and then I will go home and come back after you are all done playing and having fun."
Be prepared for some tears, especially if you are tense. Children take cues from their parents, if you are calm, confident, and excited, she will model that behavior. It can take up to a week or two for a child to completely settle. Most children will cry for about 10-20 minutes, and then are fine. If you chose a good school the teachers will help her settle down(most likely with hugs and cuddles, and then with re-direction).
I work in daycare, so I see many new children enter for the first time. Sometimes it is harder for mom or dad to let go than it is for the child. I would suggest talking to the teachers. There should be nothing wrong with you staying for a bit, and leaving when your child is more comfortable. I would be weary of a daycare/preschool that did not have an open door policy that allowed you to stay(if your really felt it was necessary) . Now if they do not allow you to stay, I would not assume the worst about their care, as many preschool believe that once the parent is out of the room, the child will settle in. They should at least allow you to stay behind(out of sight) to be sure your child is settling in(if you request that).
There should also be no problem with you coming into the room with her, showing her the classroom, meeting the teachers, etc. Do not reward overly clingy behavior. I see many parents bring in their child, and when the child cries, clings, etc the parent holds onto them like they were sending them away to their death, or apologize for leaving them there(which makes the child think they are someplace bad), or go to leave, but keep coming back(which upsets the child more).
Be confident when you take her in. Be excited that she is going someplace new. Sit down with her and get her involved in an activity. When you are going to leave, do not sneak out, tell her goodbye. If she cries, reassure her that you will be back soon, and you know she is going to have a great time.
If she really has a horrid time, you will need to make plans with the pre-school to help her. Possibly being in the room the whole time one week(but keeping your interaction with her limited), moving toward the door each day until you are right next to it. The next week moving to the hallway(so she can see you, but you are not actually in the room), and finally going home. If going home is too big of a step, you may want to stay in the building, but if she requests to see you, you can stand at the door and then walk back away(be sure you tell her to request to see you, but you will not come into the room, or talk/play with her, she can just see you). The next step is go home, and tell her you will be home.
It is a good idea to prepare for school. Let her know what is coming, and that she will have a great time. Some children like to read books to prepare for school. You may want to tell her that since she is a big girl she gets to go to school. Tell her big girls get to pick out a backpack(if she needs one), a new first day outfit, etc. It will make going to school a pleasurable experience. Do not fall into the trap of bribery though, don't offer to get presents(toys, candy, etc), just school related items. If pre-school is still a few days away, you could make a count-down chart to prepare her, so it is not a surprise. She could color in boxes, or tear off paper, etc. When she does this, be excited. "We get to color in another school box! I'm so excited, you are going to have so much fun at school." You can also prepare her by talking about what will happen on the first day, "We will get ready in the morning/afternoon. Mommy/Daddy is going to drive your to your first day of pre-school. Mommy/Daddy will help you get settled in, and then I will go home and come back after you are all done playing and having fun."
Be prepared for some tears, especially if you are tense. Children take cues from their parents, if you are calm, confident, and excited, she will model that behavior. It can take up to a week or two for a child to completely settle. Most children will cry for about 10-20 minutes, and then are fine. If you chose a good school the teachers will help her settle down(most likely with hugs and cuddles, and then with re-direction).
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