Adventures in Homeschooling
Last week we started Kindergarten. We have a different set up than most families. Kieren is not going to public or private school, but we're not doing "homeschool" either, in the sense that I make up the curriculum etc. Some friends recommended a program they were using called CVA (Columbia Virtual Academy). It's through the state of Washington and is awesome because everything is free. I worked with an adviser to pick our curriculum. We are doing Reading, Writing, Math, Science and Art. Another nice thing is that they have a thing set up online for the reading aspect that we do along with it, that helps him with phonics and beginning to put words together. Each week we "check in" with our teacher. Kieren says what he has done in his own words, then I explain it below in more detail.
Let me say, it has NOT been easy. For example today, I was trying to explain the correct way of writing numbers on our little chalkboard and he refused to look in my eyes. Kieren is 5. He is not the best listener. I know he doesn't have a hearing problem, I just think there is a disconnect between his ears and his brain. Or he's stubborn, the more likely possibility. ;) I'm trying to convey the importance that eye contact has in listening to someone. When this happened today something immediately popped into my head. If he were actually going to school outside our home, he would most likely be labeled autistic to some degree. I know it's a very common thing these days but I also think it can be over diagnosed or overly assumed. I would like to learn more about why he won't look in my eyes, even when I am speaking calmly.
Of course he figets (is that a word?), and sighs deeply as soon as I start teaching him something new. But then again, this is the first type of structure he has really had, aside from Sunday school. This weekend we're going to go to Ikea to get a child size table and chairs so that he can have his feet on the floor and in a proper position to learn how to write. I know that's going to help a lot. It's also only our second week. Overall I would say he's doing awesome. He gets very excited for "school time" and usually wants to keep doing more, even when we're done.
I feel hopeful and excited that this will only get better and more fun as we go. I am already gaining more patience and remembering to breathe when I get frustrated. I think this whole adventure is going to be as much of a learning experience for me as it is for him!
They are watching Dora right now and part of the show was a voice asking them to repeat what he was saying and Kieren responded so quickly I had to laugh...if only my face was a TV screen, maybe he would listen more. Oy vey, it's horrible but probably true.
Let me say, it has NOT been easy. For example today, I was trying to explain the correct way of writing numbers on our little chalkboard and he refused to look in my eyes. Kieren is 5. He is not the best listener. I know he doesn't have a hearing problem, I just think there is a disconnect between his ears and his brain. Or he's stubborn, the more likely possibility. ;) I'm trying to convey the importance that eye contact has in listening to someone. When this happened today something immediately popped into my head. If he were actually going to school outside our home, he would most likely be labeled autistic to some degree. I know it's a very common thing these days but I also think it can be over diagnosed or overly assumed. I would like to learn more about why he won't look in my eyes, even when I am speaking calmly.
Of course he figets (is that a word?), and sighs deeply as soon as I start teaching him something new. But then again, this is the first type of structure he has really had, aside from Sunday school. This weekend we're going to go to Ikea to get a child size table and chairs so that he can have his feet on the floor and in a proper position to learn how to write. I know that's going to help a lot. It's also only our second week. Overall I would say he's doing awesome. He gets very excited for "school time" and usually wants to keep doing more, even when we're done.
I feel hopeful and excited that this will only get better and more fun as we go. I am already gaining more patience and remembering to breathe when I get frustrated. I think this whole adventure is going to be as much of a learning experience for me as it is for him!
They are watching Dora right now and part of the show was a voice asking them to repeat what he was saying and Kieren responded so quickly I had to laugh...if only my face was a TV screen, maybe he would listen more. Oy vey, it's horrible but probably true.
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