The Decision…well, so far ⇒

I think we have come to a decision on the homeschooling thing.

I do believe that we will homeschool at some point but I am going to wait until Elise is in grade three or so. I am very drawn to the idea of homeschooling and want to do that for them for at least part of their grade school years.

I think Elise would enjoy school at the age she is now and the social and academic “concerns” I have for public school won’t kick in until the middle grades. Also, the first couple of grades, especially Kindergarten, are primarily playing. Less socializing happens after the first couple of grades (except recess and lunch) and I would easily be able to meet or exceed those opportunities in a homeschool setting.

The decision I made to put Elise in the morning preschool class has limited her selection of friends as they are mostly a year younger and, while that is not a problem for their getting along, at three most kids are not wanting to play WITH others. They are still in parallel play mode. She has made one lovely friend and certainly plays with the other children but apart from her friend Elise and Lydia (who is a friend by default because I am friends with her mother), she hasn’t really bonded with any other children. Kindergarten will give her a large selection of kids her own age to choose from without any additional effort on my part. She will have lots of time to observe the kids and choose her own friends. She will also be able to experience other teachers.

I plan to practice homeschooling with French and art in the afternoons after Kindergarten and during the summer. Since Elise is well on her way with her letters, numbers, colours, shapes, printing and other Kindergarten academics, I can keep her moving forward with learning these in French.

Thanks to you all for your comments and discussions and especially for your votes of confidence that I could do it well if I choose to.