It's been an interesting few months for me as a lot of Kid's friends here in the Wind Tunnel were preparing to head off to preschool. I always knew I would most likely not put him in preschool, but when most kids started signing up, it felt funny and like I wasn't doing something right.
Sometimes I over analyze things, okay often times I over analyze, right down to different "techniques" of parenting, rearing, sleep training, nutrition, exercise, budgeting, etc... why must I think about and define every single area of my life as a specific category? I'm learning that I don't have to. And with that comes homeschooling. Yikes, just the word alone brings me back to handmade dresses, hair never being cut, and unsocialization. But, reality is, our version of homeschooling will cater to our exact beliefs. And that, at the end of the day, is what makes me feel and know we are doing the right decision (for us, please, let me note that in no way do I feel that preschool is wrong or the wrong decision!).
So let this be some place where we start our journey of the unknown world, homeschooling!
Firstly, when looking into different types of schooling, I was amazed at the different styles, categories, belief-systems, etc. What I immediately fell in love with was the combination of Waldorf-Montessori-Christian Schooling. Does that exist in a public and or private matter, I'm pretty sure not! Therefore, we have had to create our philosophy and decide to follow it.
Waldorf and Montessori education have many similar qualities, some not similar at all. What I love about both is the belief that children learn at certain levels, with different interests, and should be respected and taught within their interests. Both are very focused on nature as being a huge learning tool, specifically for younger ages. Both are very focused on encouraging imagination, creativity, etc. by providing open-ended toys, and other non-traditional learning tools (through textures such as beans, rice, rocks, birdseed, etc.). I doubt you would find anything in either classroom with batteries in it!
But if anyone knows Waldorf, you know the core belief is not exactly Biblical... and that is precisely why we have chosen to use our own form of Waldorf-beliefs and incorporate them into our own God-loving environment!
As far as Montessori, I LOVE a lot of their beliefs, yet, they are extremely expensive, and it's just not possible for us to send our growing tribe through anything Montessori-related!
So what do we do to create our own Bee-Hive-Fusion?
I shall tell.
So far, our education has been nothing other than including the boys in most tasks. I was the typical mother that would set her children up with something to do, then run around the house like a crazy woman cleaning this, picking up that... it all changed when education came on the table. I learned that children learn by doing, and the best education for them at this stage, is to do what you do. Cook, clean, daily tasks. That simple. Add learning into everything.
Kid may not be able to read, but he can tell you that vinegar does not have chemicals in it. He can tell you it tastes funny and that it leaves a funny smell in the air. He knows it goes in salad dressing and can be used for a cleaner. He also knows that olive oil can be used on wood, but not on the bath tub. Bee, well, he follows along, spraying anything he can, tasting it as well.
I can't tell you how much having them "help" me has calmed me down as a mother. Instead of stressing about getting the house clean and keeping it spotless, I know that once a week, we will have our SAP days, and the three of us will clean the bathrooms, dust, sweep, vacuum, and maybe mop. I have been trying to let them help in the kitchen more often, but dinner time I still choose to do on my own, as they are usually both in "solo time" and adding them into the mix during this time can be a bit chaotic... but they do get their fair share during breakfast especially and sometimes lunch. Other normal activities they can learn by are grocery shopping, gassing up, spending time with God and the Bible, church, and just about anything you do! Children are so inquisitive, anything is a learning opportunity! Just be sure to spark their interest. Tell them why you need gas, where it comes from, how it keeps the car going, why you go on empty--you will be amazed at what they learn and how fast they put things together (in fact, Kid put together that going fast uses more gas...hmmn, how did he learn that?)
We are fortunate enough to have found a small little group with similar interests and tomorrow we start our first home school group! It's about five of us mothers and the kids will all have a chance to learn in a more structured environment, but with us being able to control the topics and environment our children are in. It's such a crucial stage right now, above all, their characters are being formed at a rapid pace. What they learn about themselves in the first five years and how to react to situations will have a permanent effect on their outlook in life. I would call that critical! (what's critical is the level of intensity that Bee has here... must work on that aggression!)
As we progress on our homeschooling adventure, I will be sure to document what we do and learn... if anything for our books so I can look back and know what not to do with the other kids!
If you are interested in an overall summary of Waldorf and Montessori education, read here.
What do you do in your home to have a learning atmosphere, do share, I would love new ideas!