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Home ed

Find advice from other parents on our Homeschool forum. You may also find our round up of the best online learning resources useful.

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Original poster

Thinking about home education for my 4 year old

59 replies

Ella01 · 20/04/2018 18:12

I'm after advice from other mums, as I'm thinking about home education for my 4 year old, she has not been to any nursery or preschool, just toddler groups and is very bright and enjoys learning at her own pace with me. Is home education a good choice for her?

OP posts:

NotAnotherJaffaCake · 20/04/2018 18:15

If she's never been to preschool how do you know she won't thrive there? It sounds a bit more about you than her, TBH.

Home edition can be a valid choice, but the (vast?) majority of kids do fine in school.

Original poster

Ella01 · 20/04/2018 18:24

Thanks for your reply, I don't know if she would thrive there or not, hence me asking for advice, this is all about what is best for her and if school is it, I am not apposed to it. We did try nursery, but she didn't enjoy it, but loves groups and soft play etc. So just wondering about what other parents who homeschool think and their experience of it.

OP posts:

KirstenRaymonde · 20/04/2018 18:25

What’s your level of education? Do you think you can teach better than a trained teacher who’s been doing it years?

ibicus · 20/04/2018 18:27

Sounds like it would be a fab choice for her. She can learn when and how she wants about what you wants and will keep her passion for learning forever. I do not believe school works for the vast majority of kids and think if you can homeschool then do. John Holt has some great books on how children learn if you're interested. Good luck x

Original poster

Ella01 · 20/04/2018 18:31

I have a bacholers degree and feel confident in teaching my child. I am not comparing myself to a trained teacher, because I will not be teaching a class room of children. I know my child and would be doing alot of research to ensure she gets what she needs. I am a very dedicated mum, and understand the importance of education, so much so, that I want to ensure where she has it, is best suited for her and the way she learns.

OP posts:

Original poster

Ella01 · 20/04/2018 18:33

Thanks for the support ibicus, great way of looking at honeschooling, I will look up those books.

OP posts:

ibicus · 20/04/2018 18:36

@KirstenRaymonde being a 'trained teacher that's been doing it for years' doesn't make you better than anyone else who is home educating. And formal education doesn't count for everything. All that means is they passed lots of tests and now are keeping other children passing lots of tests. I think the school system is really messed up and homeschooling is individual and keeps the love of learning alive. Definitely look into unschooling/autonomous learning- even if that's not for you if you read about it you'll hear lots of great ideas. You can be the facilitator and use all the resources around you like the library and museums and outside and the Internet etc...! I think it's the only way forward. Schools are just teaching kids to be second rate computers (ie things you can look up on google) and soon all the jobs those skills are useful for will be automated. They kill creativity and innovation which homeschooling encourages. I'd definitely look into it if I were you and do what you feel is right.

melonribenia · 20/04/2018 18:37

What didn't she like about nursery?

ibicus · 20/04/2018 18:37

what she wants

melonribenia · 20/04/2018 18:40

I don't agree with ibiscus.
School doesn't work for everyone but many many children, my own included and those I teach, absolutely thrive.

You can still do all of the extra bits outside of school time.

You may choose home schooling and that is your choice, but I would not discount schools without giving your daughter a go

SenoritaViva · 20/04/2018 18:42

There are lots of home schooling support groups, look up in your area. You need to ensure she is not isolated and has lots of opportunity to socialise with peers. Many of the groups you attend will dry up once they go to school.

I'd also look at the schools in your area so you're fully informed. On top of that lots of research as above so you have a clear plan and strategy of how you're going to do it (even if that plan is to be very easy going!)

I say all this as a teacher in an outstanding school. Most children thrive at school, every now and again I get one who may have been better homeschooled.

SenoritaViva · 20/04/2018 18:44

Sorry pressed too soon! But they are rare and more often than not the parent isn't suited to home schooling! (Of course I don't meet those children that are being homeschooled!)

Original poster

Ella01 · 20/04/2018 18:45

@melonribenia She didn't want to be away from me, she loved playing with the other children, she just wanted me with her, hence why we do groups. I know some children can change their minds etc, get used to it but the point of nursery for us, was for her to enjoy it, we talked alot about it and I didn't see the point if she didn't want to go and we tried a few different ones.

OP posts:

Thirtyrock39 · 20/04/2018 18:45

It's not just about the academic stuff though. My kids all love 'playing schools' and you'll never be able to recreate that experience. What about assemblies, recorder groups, praise from someone who isn't a parent (and therefore totally biased).
Playground games and crazes, school dinners, school holidays, songs, independently making friendships and learning resilience

ibicus · 20/04/2018 18:48

Most/almost all kids I meet hate school and it's made them think of learning as something boring and tedious and to be avoided instead of loving it and being happy knowing they're learning all the time. Playing video games you're learning, researching world war too you're learning, playing games with friends outside you're learning and all are just as important as each other but schools make kids think that playing video games is fun and pleasurable and not learning while researching ww2 is tedious and boring. These are just examples but I believe the state education system must change. This wasn't written in the best way but I hope you see what I mean. Good luck researching I think you'll love it as much as them. I've met lots of unschooling parents and they seem so full of energy and life as well as their kids. I think it's brilliant.

melonribenia · 20/04/2018 18:49

Op, I understand that, I do. My ds1 was just the same. Finding the right nursery would help. Making a bond with her key worker. Or a friend that she could go in with?

ibicus · 20/04/2018 18:49

World War Two**

longtallwalker · 20/04/2018 18:52

I think it's too early to say. You've described your DD and she sounds like my DC were at that age. Inquisitive, learning without being 'taught'. Maybe this describes a lot of bright children. Would mine have been better off home educated? Too late to say - they are now 19 and 22!
I do know though that I could never have home educated them. I'm a graduate. My OH has a PhD. we were quite hands on while the children were at primary school. But. It would have ruined our relationship had we taken over the education ourselves. That's just us obv.

stitchglitched · 20/04/2018 18:53

OP it might be a good idea to look up the home ed group for your area on facebook. You can chat with others and see what kind of community and groups are available. I home ed my son (out of necessity due to SN and atrocious school experiences) and we've found local groups invaluable for specialist subjects and friendships.

Chocolala · 20/04/2018 18:53

Read up on it and reach out to local homeschooling groups to see what’s going on/available. School isn’t compulsory.

But at the same time make sure you (and she where possible) visit all local schools to look at what they do/hear about their approach.

You may find a school you love, or it may make you convinced to home school.

Either way, remember you can change course later if your first choice doesn’t work out :)

athingthateveryoneneeds · 20/04/2018 18:54

There's no rush. Children start formal schooling far too young, imo. My DD was home educated until part way through year 1, and is now top of her class in year 6. Her extra time at home didn't do any harm whatsoever.

Home education is a valid, legal choice. It's a lot of work and takes significant dedication, but it can be wonderful.

FaFoutis · 20/04/2018 18:58

What do you want to do with your life Ella? You should think about that too.
I was going to home school my children but changed my mind, it would take up all my energy and time. They are all happy at school anyway.

CoffeeOrSleep · 20/04/2018 19:11

I don't have home Ed experience - but my nearly 5 year old sounds like yours. She also was very clingy and would get upset if left - to the extent being left with DH was upsetting for her. Preschool was hard at drop off, however if I just walked away from her crying and then watched through the window, she'd generally calmed down and was playing with the other children within a couple of minutes, unless she suddenly saw me though the window and then the cries for mummy started again. I did make it clear I was happy to collect her if she didn't settle, and once they did call me, but she did settle fine once she couldn't see me any more.

She started school last September and has thrived. If I'd offered the stay at home with mummy option, I'm sure she'd have loved that too.

Our school had one child only ping half days, would that be an option you'd consider?

ibicus · 20/04/2018 19:14

Also more and more part time (1-3 day a week) democratic schools are popping up all over the place which is brilliant and also worth looking into xxx

CoffeeOrSleep · 20/04/2018 19:17

Oh yes and questioning what you want to do with your life is important - will you home school all the way to 18? Then what?

If you don't plan to home school until 18, what point do you think will be the easiest for her to join mainstream education? (And if you do plan to home Ed until 18, will she be limited to the subjects you excel in? IME, home Ed kids are amazing at things their parents are amazing at - not so much at subjects /disciplines their parents can't do or don't rate as important).

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