Thinking About Homeschooling Only for Preschool

Did you try your local highschool? Ours has a childevelopment program and they take 3 and 4 year olds. All four of my kids have gone and they love it! It was only about $125 for 3-4 months. I also know that other towns have this (my sister in laws used there local highschool).

Like the other mom mentioned, you do not have to worry too much. Preschool is mainly for the social skills in my opinion. When the kids get to kindergatern they are all at different levels. They eventually all catch up by the end of the year.

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I would see about enrolling her in pre-school 2 or 3 days a week. My son's daycare/pre-school has that option. I agree that teaching them the structure part of school is a valuable lesson, and not one easily replicated at home.

Try finding a play group (or forming one with friends) that meets a couple times a week. You and the other mothers can take turns organizing activities (story time, crafts, games, etc.) Gives the kids more structure than and opportunity for socialization. I joined an organized play group with my oldest when he was 2 and at the age of 5 most of the kids still get together for group activities. It's been great. You have to find people willing to put a little effort into it though.

I have the perfect solution... and it's FREE! Go to the web site Letter Of The Week at www.LOTW.com. They offer lesson plans with everything laid out for you. It is for infants through to age 8 or so. Pick the program by age and by where your child's needs are. These are very flexible and you can tweak and change things as you see fit. There are even chat groups to join for each specific group they have so you can get ideas and support from others. I used this for two years with my triplets and they learned a lot and had a lot of fun too! I did weekly field trips to coordinate with the weekly theme. I changed the themes to match the letter of the week or sound they were working on. Aa week we went to an apple orchard and explored, for example. I did a combo of the two groups to match my kids needs. It's wonderful! You'll love it!

K. B
mom to 5 including triplets

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HarrisburgPAChat
chat and events within 2 hour radius

take her to free story time at the library. or see what free or low cost science programs for preschoolers are in your area. our zoo has some and also a nat park near us does. those will teach her how to sit and listen to a teacher. try sunday school too.

Hi! Each state has a set of standards that they have determined are vital for children to have accomplished by the time they finish each grade. http://www.pde.state.pa.us/early_childhood/lib/early_chil... It's a huge packet of info, but remember that they are to be accomplished by the END of kindergarten. Here is a link to the PA Dept. of Education for pre-kindergarten standards. As a former elementary teacher, I would look at those standards for her age group and then go to a store like Holcombs or another teacher supply store to see what I might need to purchase, as well as what I can do to supplement with my own activities (ie field trips). That's sort of the process I underwent for each grade and each set of standards I used (second, fourth, sixth). Best wishes!!!

I'm with the other moms-try the high school/preschool program. My twins did it at Great Valley High School. They loved it and it was helpful to our budget!

hi M., There is no rule that any child has to attend pre-school. Check with your local school district for any kindergarden pre-requisits they may have before you worry about what your child may need to know. Usually they should know their full name, address, phone number, ABC's, colors and numbers 1-10. If she knows all that she is off to a great start. Best wishes.

don't worry not all kids go to preschool and really the only thing for it is social interaction and being able to seperate for mom/dad.

relax

Lots of kids skip pre-school. Look online for a list of Kindergarten readiness skills. Take her to socializing events--storytimes, play dates, play areas at the mall, etc. She'll be fine.

***ADDED***I'm not totally sure about this but I have heard that even Kindergarten is not a "requirement"! So I wouldn't worry too much about opting out of pre-school.

I found a lady who does preschool out of her home. She only charges us $40 a week for Mon, Wed, and Fri from 9-12:30. She is always saying how the kids really need to work on their socialization skills before going into kindergarten not so much with the academics.

Preschool is all about social development, not academic development. Now, with No Child Left Behind, there are some academic-type requirements for entering kindergarten, but these are really basic and things your child should be able to pickup just by being read to, etc. Your school district should have the information you seek about what the requirements are for entering kindergarten.

Preschool is not a must; however, there is a lot of positive social development that goes on in preschool. Circle time and interacting with peers all are important learning experiences. (My children's kindergarten teacher always said she liked to get the kids from our preschool, as the kids were nicely socially developed.)

Perhaps there is a part-time program? Our preschool has 2-day-a-week and 3-day-a-week options, at least for 3 yr olds; unsure about 4 yr olds. Also, perhaps there is a local, non-private preschool (as in a church or synagogue or the like) which would give you some scholarship funds for your child to attend...

Good luck!

My daughter is entering into kindergarten this year. Our school district supplied us with a kit of activities and skills they wanted her to learn before entering into school. I would check the school she will be attending next year they might have some free activities for you. Also target has a fabulous line of education books. They have a preschool book with lesson plans and activities. I would also take her to storytime at your local library it is free and the kids get to do art projects and listen to a book a great way to prepare for school. This summer my girls have also attended vacation bible school which has been a blessing.

This is just my two cents, so please take it for what it's worth... I work in a preschool and get to see the benefits kids received from being in a structured and routine environment, from respecting teachers, and from having friends they get to see regularly.

There are a lot of choices out there and you might be able to spend less money by sending your daughter even just three days a week rather than the full week.

It's worth crunching the budget or picking up some extra work (perhaps while she is in school) to pay for it. All the money you might spend on materials to teach her could go towards her getting into a program.

Just some things to think about... good luck to you! God bless!

Try looking at pacyber (www.pacyber.org). I am using this cyber charter school for my older son who is now in 8th grade. They offer programs for preschool through 12th grade and provide all the educational materials that you need.

As someone said the high schools are great. West Chester school district (I know they did it two years ago) For 3 days a week for $25 to $50 a month depending on which high school. It was great there is one teacher and many high school students helping so they get a lot of attention for a low price. But your child doesn't need preschool to do well in school.

I agree with Tracy. My son is starting at a local high school/preschool program. It meets Oct- Dec for a few days a week and again from February through May and it only cost $25. We can not afford a traditional preschool this year and I think this will expose our son to the benefits without making us really strapped.

They usually have wonderful little story times, etc. at the library - and these are free. You can teach her some small things at home and take her somewhere like that for some socialization. Also, some places to check into if you haven't: My one daughter went to preschool at the local high school (she loved so much I will send my son there) They were very reasonably priced and did a great job. My other daughter went to a preschool based out of a local church - it wasn't religion based, just something the church did for extra money - it was a great program also. Both let us pay once a month, or 1/2 a year at a time, which made it affordable for us.