A caveat, of sorts…
When I think of homeschooling, I picture a mother with two or three grade-school aged children reading books, taking field trips, and learning together. I don’t picture me at my dining room table with my two year old son. I have done a lot of soul searching on the issue of homeschooling. Can I call what we do – our simple, short lessons – homeschooling? Jack is just two. Isn’t this just what parents do to prepare their children for school?
I don’t have the answers to that. But I do feel like I need to do something more organized than what I had been doing with Jack because he devours every bit of information he sees – he can’t get enough of letters, shapes, counting. Books. I don’t want to let him down, or let him get bored. I want him to set the pace while I maintain the momentum. And I do feel like I have learned a lot from the homeschooling community in terms of organization, expectations, and ideas. Even so, I have a hard time describing myself as a “homeschooler.” He’s only two – I’ve mentioned that, right? Nevertheless, here I am with a homeschool journal describing my two-year old’s first “official” week of lessons.
In our homeschool this week…
I really felt like I needed to get organized, so I found a lesson plan that I liked: the Brightly Beaming Letter of the Week plan, modified for a two year old. I was drawn to it because of how it is organized: each week features a letter, a number, a shape, and a theme. Each weekday features a certain skill, like fine or gross motor skills, or a concept such as a letter or number. The lesson plans even include a recommended book list based on the week’s theme. This week’s theme was cows, so Sunday meant a trip to the library (via sled, no less!) to load up on cow books. Our motor skills included doing some yoga cat-cows (complete with animal sounds), and Jack has learned the letter “A” with mucho gusto – he has been having a great time identifying it everywhere we go.
I am inspired by…
My son’s love of books astounds and inspires me. We had to return to the library mid-week to pick up new cow-themed books. And with every trip we take, I get a few books for myself, so my own reading list has increased in turn.
My favorite thing this week was…
Sunday’s trip to the library was such fun. We had some snow so we took our sled to the library. Our library has a great pre-readers play area, and Jack found lots of little boys and girls to enjoy his time with while I picked up the books we had put on hold and even browsed a few books for myself.
Questions/thoughts I have…
I discussed my question at the outset: is this homeschooling? I don’t know why I have such hesitation with the concept. And it isn’t that I have a problem with homeschooling – not in the least! My husband was homeschooled for part of his school career, and if our home circumstances were different, we’d be planning on homeschooling through elementary school at least. I just don’t know why I’m struggling with this question so much.
Things I’m working on…
I’m working on getting into a rhythm with this. I already have the books preordered at the library for next week’s theme: the jungle. I have the lessons printed out, I have appropriate flash cards and toys readied. It will take a little time, but we are getting there.
I’m grateful for…
The Waukesha Public Library. It has everything we need.
I’m looking forward to…
Our community’s winter festival begins this weekend with events downtown, at the library, at the planetarium, the nature center, and more. But even more exciting is our first foray into volunteer work as a team – my son and I! I approached the recycle center with my desire to show my son the importance of volunteering, and they have found a place where he and I can volunteer together. Our first volunteer event is Saturday, and I cannot wait to report back on it.
Wow, just reviewed it and definitely printing some of those out and using it for my just turned 2 years old. She is only on A, 1, and B, 2. She can count to 10 skipping some numbers and knows a lot of her alphabet, 10 or so letters, so I think she might be good to go. Thanks for providing the link!
ThaiHoa recently posted..Side Step
That sounds like my son! One, two, three, four, six, seven, ten, yay!
I am really appreciating the recommended reading list for each week that the link provides. I tend to get lost in the kids’ section of the library – the books are organized by author name and not by age group, so it is hard to tell what would be appropriate. These lessons make that easier.
You asked if this really is homeschooling. Well, think of it like this…Do “Homeschoolers” only teach their children September through June, Monday through Friday from 8 – 3? As a parent you teach your child 24/7. You are their first teacher regardless of how you word it. Regardless of what your future holds. Whether your children go on to traditional school later or if you continue to explore the world together. The biggest difference is that right now you don’t have to worry about your state laws or reporting policies. Enjoy!
Julie recently posted..Did I remember what I have done? Or just what I didn’t get to?
What great insight! You are absolutely right on that, no matter what we do, we are their first teachers. While I really like the framework of structured lessons, I know it isn’t for everyone. Even if teaching at this stage is little more than singing the ABCs, it is still teaching.
Jenn @ Monkey Butt Junction recently posted..Homeschool Journal, Week One: The Letter A and Lots of Moos
I couldn’t agree more to what Julie said!!! Sounds like a great first week!
Erika recently posted..Homeschool Journal: January 20th, 2012
Fantastic first week. I love our weekly trips to the library. I have 3 kids and we usually leave with a big basket full of books.
Taunya Richards recently posted..The Labor Week
I agree with Julie! Homeschooling can start at birth. They are never to little and if he is showing interest I would say run with it!
I love our local library!! It is by far the best tool for me as a homeschooling Mom!
Barb recently posted..Our Homeschool Week {week2}
Yes! It is homeschooling!
You are teaching your child and helping him not only learn, but love learning and that is the best “lesson” of all! 
Enjoy every minute! 
Thanks for visiting my blog and for your kind comments!
Have a great weekend,
Lisa
Lisa recently posted..Homeschool Mother’s Journal/Weekly Wrap-Up January 20th
From one all-natural mama to another… Homeschooling begins at birth.
Michelle recently posted..Homeschool Mother’s Journal #32: Pushing Forward in Many Ways
My goodness, yes it is homeschooling! We are our children’s first and most important teachers! What I don’t understand is why so many in our society feel that beyond preshool, we should let schools teach our children. We know our children better than any one else in the world, which makes us their ideal teachers!
Jennifer recently posted..Homeschool Mother’s Journal {Friday, January 20}
First of all, I LOVE the name of your blog, it cracks me up! Second, there are those who will say that it isn’t homeschooling, it’s simply being a parent. I disagree as we all homeschool to some degree or another. And I think that you are doing far more than the “typical” parent. I as the other commenters would consider what you are doing homeschooling. But really, it doesn’t matter what anyone thinks but you
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Kristie recently posted..1/20/12-Playing Catch-Up
I am so exited to see you doing THJ. You seem to be approaching it like me at this point: structured lessons with a laid back attitude for toddlers. Samuel is a lot like Jack. He is a sponge, and he craves knowledge. What kind of mom would I be if I just said “nope…too young!” Instead I embrace his natural curiosity and bring everything down to his level.
I love the site you liked to for the alphabet info. I have just been going in order and picking crafts from books or Pinterest, but maybe I will use that site every so often.
Glad to see you linked up!
Stephanie @ The Brunette Foodie recently posted..The Homeschool Mother’s Journal: B is for Busy
I have to tell you Stephanie you were what inspired me to join THJ. I read your post last week and this week and I realized that journaling would really help me get organized.
What I like best about the site I linked are the book recommendations. So far each one has been excellent, which isn’t always the result when I just pick up books that seem to fit the theme of what we’re focusing on that week (sometime I’ll blog about the really disastrous cow book we checked out this week…shudder).
All the girls before me said it – homeschooling begins at birth!
I battle my mental image of what “school” should look like too. And that’s usually when I start doubting myself. I think for some of us…shaking that school shaped box is harder. But I can tell you…my kids are bright and beautiful and thriving here at home. Even if it doesn’t look like what I think it should.
Also…thanks for stopping by my place!
…danielle
danielle @ RLR recently posted..my crazy life, lately
I love that phrase – “shaking the school shaped box.” That’s fantastic! I’m going to borrow that.
This is a very nice post. We are all our children’s first teachers so, yes, you are homeschooling!
Here in Boston, if your kids aren’t in preschool by the time they are 2 1/2, you are by default “homeschooling,” so the buckets in which parents fall become very clear very early, with most parents choosing “preschool” at age 2.
When my oldest was 2 and all her friends were heading off to the elite city preschools, I started looking at homeschooling more seriously, recognizing that I didn’t want to send her to school so young. The more I learned about homeschooling, the more hooked I became and now I am a zealot!
Enjoy this learning time with your little one!
-Kerry @ City Kids Homeschooling
http://cityhomeschooling.blogspot.com/
Kerry @ City Kids Homeschooling recently posted..{this moment} Snow At Last
That’s interesting! Here we do have some 3 and 4 year old preschool but many children don’t start until age 5.
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It’s been said before, but I’ll join in the agreement … homeschooling begins at birth. I remember the early days with my now almost teen – so much fun and I feel the same zest through your words that I felt working with him. Your library adventure sounds just like ours as well. We’d check out gobs of books and have them finished in a blink! Happy Homeschooling!
flmom recently posted..The Homeschool Mother’s Journal – January 20, 2012
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