I have had a lot of email in the past few months asking me specifics about my homeschooling program for my children when they were younger. Several have asked what particular curriculum choices did I make when I was starting out.
Crazy as it seems, I think I used a lot of the wrong materials with my children. I know with my two oldest, I bored them a lot more than I did the younger two. The choices fifteen years ago were so different and more narrow that I had to sort of stick with "the best I could do" and make it work. The librarians at our public library knew us on a first name basis.
I didn't even own a computer or have internet capability when I first started homeschooling. The only non-public school texts I had ever seen were from Abeka. I hadn't heard about Charlotte Mason or Susan Wise Bauer since those ladies came into my life a few short years ago.
It was just one step above "winging it" now that I am looking back on it all.
Honestly, finding Sonlight was the first step to switching over to a style of homeschooling that fit our family and that wasn't until child number three.
So although none of my children died from my lack of really good curriculum in their very youngest of years, I would totally do things differently now that I have access to so many awesome resources.
I would really love to dazzle you with my great insights into grammar level books and curricula, but I honestly do not have much to draw from. I have spent oodles of time researching, using, and teaching other young children art and art appreciation from the books I include in Harmony Fine Arts so I am confident about resources for those subjects. As far as the other subjects, I have just moved on and not thought too much about all the wonderful plans and curricula available now for young ones.
Barb-Harmony Art Mom
7 comments:
I'm glad that Sonlight played a role in helping you find a style that fit you and your family. That is great to hear [smile].
~Luke
I have second guessed myself quite a bit in the past and I don't want to do that any more, so I admit that I look to others a little who have gone before. When we look back we can see how far we have come. I so enjoy your candor.
Barb, I always call my oldest homeschooled son my "guinea pig" because it honestly did take years to find the right fit for him.
I think that as we teach our children, it is also quite the learning process for us, and there is never a "one size fits all" curriculum out there. Therefore, it's very important to truly know our children and develop a philosophy of education ahead of time (sometimes this is a process of course) rather than jumping on the most popular bandwagon or following a guru.
I love your website because you are inspiring, wise, and full of common sense and great ideas. Have a blessed day in the Lord!
Barb,
I am so thankful for all of you moms that have gone before me. I have 4 boys, with the oldest two in 3rd and 1st. So, all your experience and especially your faithfulness to the task of educating your children is inspiring and brings me great encouragment. Your sites dazzle me every week! Thank you!
You absolutely have the right focus -- forward. We all make mistakes, and a lot of homeschooling is trial and error.
I, too, started with Sonlight, and I still use many of their book choices. I have loosened up MUCH more than when I first started. I think it is pretty typical to be "by the book" when you first start out and then as you see where you need to end up, you figure out how to best get there. My daughter, now graduated, shakes her head at how much "easier" (what she really means is "more fun") that her brothers have it than she did.
-Phyllis
Phyllis,
You are exactly like me...my younger boys are doing all the "fun" stuff if you ask my older two children. :)
I always respond that when they homeschool their children they will know so many cool activities to do with them.
Thanks for all the comments on this post. It was sort of a therapeutic post since sometimes I feel a little guilty over all the poor choices I made in the beginning.
Moving forward every day.
Barb
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