I am so excited. I can finally say it. Finally.
We are a homeschool family.
At least by my qualifications we are. We are officially learning our letters. The letter people are a surprisingly not-so-distant memory for me. The curiosity and simplicity of life as a preschooler. I remind myself to cherish these years, when things are still very precious and uncomplicated. The age of “I do it myself!” just before the maddening “But why mom”. I’m sure enough that I’ll be missing this time when my oldest son is long past needing even a little bit of help from mom. Past the time of asking mom the important questions in life, and on to finding out those answers for himself. I think ahead. I remind myself that he was once a 2 month old, just like my second son is now. I hold my youngest at this age, looking at the picture on the wall of my oldest at that same age. It seems impossible that time could pass. When they are a babe we think “I can’t wait until you’re older”. When they are older we think “I miss when you were a babe.” Isn’t it ironic, don’t you think?
My sister is Mrs. Helpful when it comes to homeschooling resources. The following resources are especially helpful for learning the alphabet, phonics, and literacy.
Starfall.com – This website is divided into 4 interactive sections full of games, phonics learning, and reading activities. We’re currently working on “learning letters”.
First School – Everything preschool with tons of printable coloring pages and worksheets. Letters and tracing. Crafts, games, handwriting, math/numbers, and shapes.
Success to Read – Learn the basics of how to successfully teach your child to read.
Stairway to Reading – A website developed for Canadian parents to teach their children to read. A result of Canadian schools being unsuccessful in teaching phonics and literacy.
UpToTen - Fun online learning for kids up to Ten!
