HOME-SCHOOLING 101

I always enjoy your posts and admire your strength in moving from place to place. I don't think your child will miss out if you don't do "school" type stuff but the two of you do have a great oppurtunity to spend some quiet time together before the school years. She'll get plenty of letters and writing and all of that when she is in school so for now perhaps you can focus on small projects you can do together. In the morning for 30 - 60 minutes you could do things like bake muffins, plant a couple herb seeds in small pots, paint a piece of unfinished furniture - like a small stool or table for her room - put stickers on it after it's finished and then varnish - it looks great and she's then made furniture. You could just sit on the floor with some paper and masking tape and scissors and see what you can cut out and tape together - look to matisse for inspiration but three years old they are just happy to tape. Spend the time just doing small things. That will last for both of you. In the afternoon when my son was that age but wouldn't nap, we listened to two songs and then read two books. You could also start a video diary where every day you do something small and then record each other talking about it for a couple of minutes - set a time limit. You both will love seeing the other later in life.

Good luck to you and your family.

It's nice to hear your sharing. I'm a mother of 2 homeschooled-children, live in Jakarta, Indonesia.
When the children still young, we choose to loosen up "the academic things" and focus more on "the learning culture", i.e. building the sense of curiosity & exploration. It will end up with more flexible learning, a process directed by their interest, resulted excitement in their day-activities.

I understand your concern about the disservice feeling when you see your children watching TV longer than their "learning".

Well, on our (my husband and I) angle, Homeschool is not about hours of school time. What we're trying to build is "we learn everything from anything around". Try to reach some insights from life. School is not just papers. The "academic things" could be reached relatively fast when they're become older.

Just a thought & sharing...

We are parents of an only boy who's also 3 and a half. We decided he was ready for pre-school and he started going to it 5 days a week. But we pulled back 1 day so that we could get more time with him - spending time swimming, going to play dates, activities around the house, reading, library, museum etc. Of course the big difference is that we gave up one job completely for him. Life is just beginning for your daughter and she has a long journey of learning. You would be well advised not to stress out on any of these worries that you have and just enjoy whatever time you can with her, teaching her whatever you can think of (eveything's new for her).

I live in US and school does not start here till age 5 . I guess schooling does not only mean academics, numbers and letters. That she will learn anyways...What u should more concentrate on is teaching her morals and developing conscience and yes the time that u guys spend together should be total bonding time...that is what your child will remember forever.

I agree with you!I think it is the good way for the poor family!