As a homeschooling mom, I’m careful to make sure that I’m doing everything that the law requires.  Here in Georgia, we are required to file a Declaration of Intent each year and keep a copy of our attendance reports.  Every 3 years starting in 3rd grade, we have testing.  We also have to do a written performance report at the end of each year showing our child’s progress.  Now comes the big question.  How do I keep all these papers organized and easily found if needed?

Simple!  A few years ago, I made a 1 inch binder and put in dividers for each year.  Everything is clearly labeled and easy to find. Behind the divider goes that year’s important papers – DOI, Attendance, Performance Reports, any test results, etc.  All the stuff that is required by law to keep goes in this binder.  That way IF I’m ever asked to prove anything, it’s all just an arm’s reach away.  The binder is then stored at the top of our school bookshelves to make sure littles don’t get this binder out by mistake.

How do you organize your important homeschool papers?

I’ve been working on getting everything in order for the upcoming homeschool year.  With our baby boy due in September, I’ve really got to get on the ball!  This year we are still using most of what we did last year but changing a few things as the kids age and learning styles change.

Math, we are once again using Horizons Math. This seems to be working well for my kids. We use the math books plus we supplement with the extra worksheets for more practice. We are also continuing with XtraMath.org.  I can’t say enough great things about this website!  It’s a completely free way to make sure your kids understand all of their math facts.  As a mom, I can login and see how they are doing as well and what needs improvement.

For Language Arts, we are utilizing a few things this year.  We are once again using Wordly Wise 3000 for my bigger kids.  This starts in 2nd grade and helps with vocabulary, reading comprehension, and sentence writing.  For spelling, we use SpellingCity.com.  I do purchase the premium membership for $29.99 for my kids, but I’ve heard many use the free version as well.  I like the premium because it keeps track of everything and has more features.  At the $29.99 price, I can include up to 5 children.  A new thing we are adding this year is Easy Grammar.  I have heard great things about it and it seems fairly self-taught.  We also debated on Daily Grams and may end up adding that in once we get everything else rolling.  The big kids are also doing IEW to further enhance their writing skills. My 3rd child is going to be working on Draw Write Now. All of the kids are also using A Reason For Handwriting.

For Bible we are using the Catechism for Kids.  We did questions 1-10 last year so we will continue with questions 11-20 this year.  I like that you can purchase the PDF fairly cheaply so I can print for multiple children.  I’m also continuing to read through the History Lives set to the bigger kids when the littles are occupied.  Some of the stories can be fairly intense so it’s taking longer to go through them so we can digest and discuss.

History we will continue to pull from Allinonehomeschool.com and of course the vast variety of books at the library.

Science we are pulling from God’s Design for Life.  This will be our first year using it.  We are borrowing the books from my sister in law.  She really enjoyed using it last year with her kids.

I think that’s it.  I’m sure I’ve left something out!  All the kids are taking classes at local co-ops as well depending on what each child needs.  Between homeschooling 4 kids and a newborn, looks like I will have my hands full this year 🙂  What curriculum are you using this year?

Other posts you may be interested in:

• Homeschooling Your Preschooler
• 25 Free Homeschooling Resources
• Testing Options for Georgia’s Homeschool Students
• How to Find Educational Videos on Amazon Prime to use in Homeschool
• 10 Things New Homeschooling Parents Need to Know
• 6 Awesome Homeschool Math Manipulatives
• 6 Reasons We Homeschool Year-Round
• My Favorite Homeschool Items
• HomeschoolCompliance Makes my Life Easier!

I’ve been homeschooling for over 8 years now and each year, I have new homeschooling moms approach me asking for advice on homeschooling a preschooler.  Their questions are almost always the same.  Today I want to talk to you guys about my opinion on homeschooling a preschool age child and what has worked well for our family.  Below you’ll find the most often asked questions and my answers.

When should I start homeschooling?

Personally I recommend starting at birth.  Before you freak out that you haven’t taught your 1 year old how to read, think about what you have taught them.  You’ve guided your child in learning to walk and talk.  You’ve taught them language even if their main word is NO.  They’ve learned how to climb, how to love, how to share.  You’ve taught them so much already without even thinking about it!  Keep up the natural progression of learning!

What curriculum should I purchase for my 3-5 year old?

When my oldest was 3-4 years old, I thought about the same thing.  I couldn’t wait to get started and I didn’t want my daughter to be “left behind” and fail her as a homeschooling parent.  Surely we needed to prove to others that we could do this.

As my kids have grown older, I have completely changed my thoughts on this topic.  I’ve gone the other direction and we have taken more time to enjoy the preschool years.  The preschool years are so magical and fun!  Homeschooling a preschooler can be, too!  With 13 years of school Kindergarten-12th grade ahead of us, enjoy those sweet years of not having to do school.  Your child can learn by spending time with you!  Go on a nature walk for science.  Cook for math.  Read for language.  The possibilities are endless!  Don’t jump in to the book work yet!

If you’re really wanting to do something, pick something simple, such as Easy Peasy Online Homeschool Getting Ready Level 1 or 2.  Go to Sam’s, Walmart, or Target and get a simple and fun workbook.  Visit the library.  Check out this list of 25 free homeschool resources. Save your money for when your children are older and homeschool materials cost more.

But my friend/family member says that THEY have a homeschool curriculum and I don’t want my child left behind….

To each their own.  Let’s stop comparing our children to other children and do what is best for our family.  I’ve been there, done that and for our family, waiting to have a full day of school has turned out to be a great decision.  There is always time to add more later.  As I said earlier, you have 13 years of school ahead.  Why rush it?

What activities should we do then?

Sing.  Dance.  Find some fun manipulatives.  Check pinterest for ideas on fun games and activities.  MeetPenny.com has a great list of preschool homeschool materials that you can find right at the dollar store.  Starfall.com has some fun resources and activities as well.  Check out all the resources at the library from puppet shows to story time.

Online Programs:

There are a bunch of different online programs geared toward preschoolers.  Some of our favorites are:

• HOMER
• Reading Eggs
• ABCMouse

What does YOUR family do?

Typically I do buy a few workbooks from the dollar store or another store to let my preschooler practice school while the big kids do their work.  This helps keep the child occupied and happy while I’m working with the others.  Other than that, we utilize the library, iPad games, LeapFrog videos, manipulatives, etc and skip the heavy book work.  This works well for our family.  Lots and lots of reading together and outside adventures as well.

My final advice

Remember you do not have to recreate traditional school unless that is what your child enjoys.  Homeschooling a preschooler needs to be fun!  There is plenty of time to learn and each child is very very different.  If you do too much, you could have homeschool burnout before you’ve even gotten started.  Even with my 4, I’ve found that what works for one, may not work for the rest.  Be flexible and enjoy the early years.  They are gone so fast!

What are your thoughts on homeschooling a preschooler?

I’ve been homeschooling for about 6 years now since my oldest is going into 6th grade.  It has flown by and I feel that we have learned so much in the challenging years that I can share with others.  Of course, these are things that have applied to our family. Here are things that I wish someone would have told me when I first started homeschooling.

1. It’s okay to stay home.  Many new homeschoolers want to sign up for every co-op, opportunity, class, playgroup, etc that comes up because of the lack of socialization stereotype.  We have found that it’s okay to stay home!  In fact, it’s needed more and more as the kids get bigger.  It’s impossible to do your school work well when you’re always on the run somewhere.

2.  It’s okay for your kids to be on different levels in different subjects.  Think of it as another benefit to homeschooling!  One of my children struggled to read but excelled in math.  Put them on the level that they need to be in each subject and not what society says.  Eventually they may catch up but it sure beats the stress of pushing them when they aren’t ready.

3. Hesitate before putting your child ahead a grade just because little Johnny can read at 4 years old.  My firstborn was reading fluently at 4 so we figured why not go ahead and start kindergarten.  Once she hit multiplication and some harder subjects, we hit a major roadblock.  She cried, I cried, we thought about public school and then realized what had happened.  Emotionally she just wasn’t ready for the weight of the harder subjects.  We let her back off and repeat the previous grade with a different curriculum and she’s now on the grade she would be with her similar aged peers.  In hind site, I definitely think that holding a child back is better in many situations than pushing them forward.  The pressure can be overwhelming for all.

4. Check for homeschool curriculum events.  I remember one year I had my heart completely set on one curriculum and went to the curriculum fair with the full intent of purchasing it.  Once I got to the fair and had my hands on the items, as I flipped through I realized how much I hated it!  Going to the fair saved me a ton of money and I was able to check out other curriculums and found one that I wanted for my family.

5. Make a list of reasons why you have chosen to homeschool your children.  This may become your very lifeline.  There will be days that are hard and days that are harder.  You need to be completely confident in your reasons why you homeschool.  For my family, we homeschool due to convenience, our family’s schedule, and one on one time with learning disabilities.  There are others, but those are the main reasons.

6. Your homeschool does not need to look like school.  You do not have to have desks, homework, strict schedules, or be inside all day.  Beautiful day outside?  Take the kids to the park to work on history.  Someone has a birthday?  Bake a cake for math and science.    Life is happening! Don’t miss it for bookwork.

7. Having a bad day?  Throw the books to the side and go out on an adventure.  Now of course if you are daily having bad days, something needs to be reevaluated.  An unplanned day off every once in a while is great for the whole family.

8. Refuse to compare your children to public school children.  For some reason, some people feel the need to “quiz” your child because they are homeschooled.  Be sure and cut this off fast.  Your kids are not performing dolphins.  In the same note, don’t brag to public school friends that your 7 year old homeschooler has finished 5th grade.

9. Homeschool year round.  Whenever we submit our intent to homeschool to our state, we submit a 12 month period.  Typically August 1-July 31 of the following year.  This gives us a grace period in case life happens.  Things may come up that you have to take weeks or even months off of school.  You can read more about why we homeschool year round here.

10. Find homeschooling moms that are older than you and have been homeschooling longer.  Ask them questions or even request to sit in their house for a day and watch.  I have learned so much about homeschooling from moms who have been there.  It has saved us a bunch of heartache by learning from others challenges.

Do you have anything to add?  Leave a comment and let me know your thoughts!

Other posts you may be interested in:

• • 6 Awesome Homeschool Math Manipulatives
  • 6 Reasons We Homeschool Year-Round
  • My Favorite Homeschool Items
  • Homeschooling a Preschooler