Today I'm thinking intellectually. It amazes me that so many parents have begun leaving all education up to the school systems, when learning begins long before our children ever get put in a classroom setting. As soon as our little ones are brought into this world they begin learning. Every experience is a new one to them and before everyone starts thinking I'm crazy and trying to teach my 20 month old trigonometry, let me explain.
Newborns and little babies are learning trust from you. The whole let your baby cry it out thing always has bothered me. Yes, after leaving our babies in a room by themselves in the dark they will cry till they fall asleep and after a couple nights they will just quit crying when they are used to that routine. But, what are you really teaching that child? They don't just stop crying because they know it is bedtime, they stop because they learn not to depend on you to come anyway, so what's the point. I understand, sometimes, a mother just needs to walk away and regroup. Take a breath before putting back on our mommy battle gear and spreading butt cream under our eyes as warrior paint, before walking back into the line of fire. Yes, when you begin talking like this, by all means, take a break and regain that last sliver of sanity you keep. But, go back establish trust and let your child know that you will be there. They only know crying for communication, if you were in a different land and no one could understand you I'm sure after a bunch of frustrating attempts, you'd cry a little too.
But, before I get way off subject, babies are also learning days and nights, motor skills, and about all the little things we forget to notice anymore. So, what is it going to harm to begin singing the ABCs or 12 pick up sticks, it's just going to get stuck in their heads sooner. With doing that my daughter can already count to 20 with help and she knows what leader comes after C when singing. Math can begin as early as them learning that if they have one cookie and I give them another cookie, WOW they got 2 cookies!!! YAY!!!
In the end, learning is constant and never ending. Although it is up to the parent to support all learning and show the children the fun and amazement of knowledge. Which I have given up on the public school idea anyway so, I have to find way to make all this stuff fun. Even math and I can't stand math, may the Goddess help me when we reach algebra because that will be when my brain may just jump out of my head and run away screaming, "A+B=3" over and over again. With the knowledge that I might lose my brain to the insanity of algebra one day, I am still going to home-school my daughter.
Public school are just not inspiring much hope for me. Most are overcrowded and understaffed. Some teachers have lost their joy of teaching because they are giving so many restrictions as to what is appropriate to teach and to which students are allowed to learn. I may be pagan but I completely disagree with taking holidays and the pledge out of schools. Believing in one God is not required to say the pledge of allegiance. Denying our children pride in our country and the unity of standing up together to speak is wrong. Most kids don't even notice that god is mentioned in it. Plus, it does not mention which god it is speaking of. Parents could take the time to explain that it is not the religion that matters, but the pride and respect we hold for our flag. I have, also, noticed that many students are dropping out by 10th grade and just getting their GED's. While their is definitely nothing wrong with a GED, especially since that was how I graduated, I know that most are doing just because they believe it is easier and they can be done with school. We don't want our children to be in a hurry to get out of school. We need to nurture the desire to learn new things and to keep them learning throughout life.
Private schools are not much better in my area, because they are all focused on the christian religion. Long ago I knew a little boy who attended a christian private school in my town. He came home in tears one day because his teacher told him that Pokemon is the devil and since he watched it he was now doomed to the burning flames of hell, and yes she said that. He was 6 years old. How can someone say that to a kid is way beyond me, but me and his cousin were so ready to go show that woman what real hell could be.
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| Watch out these cute little things are demons dragging your children straight to Hell!!! |
With that, home-school it is. Here is some links I have found to help anyone interested and if anyone has any other interesting ones please post in a comment. Hope you enjoy and keep the joy of learning. Thanks!!! Hope everyone has a spectacular day!!!!
http://www.hslda.org/laws/analysis/North_Carolina.pdf
http://www.oakmeadow.com
http://www.cchsa.com/index.html
http://www.softschools.com
http://www.childcareland.com/free.html
http://www.homeschool-curriculum-for-life.com/best-home-schooling-resources.html
http://homeschool.calvertschool.org
http://www.education.com
http://www.home-school.com/groups/NC.html
http://paganwiccan.about.com/od/familyandparenting/a/PaganHomeschool.htm
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