Last year I embarked on the journey of a lifetime, well, my lifetime anyway! I took on the responsibility to educate my (then) 4-year-old daughter for preschool. For me, the decision was a no-brainer. When my daughter turned two years of age, I remember many of the mothers in my inner circle debating the preschool question. When and where are you going to send your child to preschool? Back then I was hesitant to tell them the truth, that I planned on not enrolling my child in preschool but to, in fact, homeschool her.
I could feel the social pressure kicking in even when my child was two! I was resolute in my decision to wait to start schooling my child until she turned four. I wanted her first years to revolve around exploring the world and playing, yes, just playing! Of course, she learned the ABC’s and numbers, but there was no strict structure involved.
When my daughter turned four years old I started homeschooling her for preschool two days a week. I had (and still do have) unconditional support from my spouse. We knew that I would be homeschooling our children before we were even parents. I decided to homeschool only two days a week versus some of the other preschool programs that school three or even five days a week. I felt completely comfortable with committing to a two-day a week schedule.
In addition to the two days we did homeschool, her schedule also involved having a Spanish tutor come to our house for one hour every other week. Also, I had my daughter enrolled in an art class, as well as, attending a library preschool story hour one day a week. The schedule I set up worked out swimmingly. She took right to it. The fact that I started out schooling only two days a week allowed me the breathing room I needed to adjust to our new lifestyle. I should also mention that when I started to homeschool my 4-year-old, I also had a 1-year-old daughter. I schooled my 4-year-old during my youngest daughter’s nap time.
Still life apple painting in the kitchen during homeschool.
The preschool school year was a major success. So much so, that I kept the two-day a week schooling schedule throughout the summer. I felt strongly that she worked so hard on what she learned in preschool and adjusted so nicely to the schedule that it would behoove us to keep with it until she would start a five-day a week schedule in September for Kindergarten. I can attest that continuing to homeschool my daughter for two days a week has put her on the fast track for reading. At the end of her first month of Kindergarten she completed the Hooked on Phonics Kindergarten reading program and is now reading at a first grade level. I believe her progress can be credited to not taking a respite from schooling.
Over the summer I prepared lessons, researched curriculum and worried, worried, worried how I could pull this off. How could I homeschool her for Kindergarten now that my youngest daughter was napping only once a day? Could I handle doing this five days a week? The answer was and is – YES! The first day of Kindergarten was tough, very tough. My youngest daughter’s attitude made the morning homeschool session a total challenge. It was completely unfamiliar to her, and she didn’t like it.
Day 2, Day 3, Day 4 and so on, were a dream. My youngest daughter happily got on board with our morning routine, and my now five-year-old was thriving. I could see her successes in reading, writing and math each and every day. The month of September was one of the best months of my life. It was such a joy to spend so much quality time with both of my girls, as a family, experiencing this journey together.
School is in session! Cappallo girls learning letters.
So, why did we decide to homeschool? Are we going to do it forever? What about the socialization? Those are three questions people ask me most frequently when I disclose that we are a homeschooling family. We decided to homeschool for many reasons. To begin, I love my children, and I love spending time with them. What could be a better reason than that?
I also want education to be paramount in my children’s lives. I feel there are too many distractions in public school, and I do not want my children exposed to those distractions. I want them to focus on their studies and to develop a love of learning, not to memorize facts, but to understand the meaning behind things.
I feel that children are very impressionable and their innocence can be compromised when exposed to bad manners and bad language. Homeschooling my children allows them to learn at their own pace. I believe in learning through the five senses. If my girls went to public school, then there is a chance that learning by using their five senses may not be their assigned teachers’ style of teaching. Each child is unique, and I want to teach my children in the ways that they learn best, not what is best for the group. I also believe that children learn best in one-on-one situations. The public schools in my area have some classes with 27 students. That statistic is staggering. It is not good enough for me to potentially have my child slip through any cracks.
Sisters counting pennies together during homeschool.
Finally, what about socialization? I feel this question is completely out dated. My daughters socialize with other children in our neighborhood, children in their library story hour, their art class. They are always socializing.
They are also learning Spanish as a second language. The fact that we homeschool affords them the opportunity to get tutored from a native Chilean woman. Something that they would not get in our public schools, especially at the young age of 5 and 2 years old. Socialization is not even the slightest concern for our family. If we did send our children to public school, I would want them to focus on education, not on socializing with so-and-so.
I think there is too much socialization in public school. Bullying is a major issue that we do not encounter in our homeschool environment. I cannot say if my girls went to public school that bullying would be an issue, or not, for them, but I am grateful that it’s something that we don’t have to deal with.
Are we going to homeschool forever? The best answer I can give you is that we will evaluate the situation at the end of each year. Is the decision to homeschool our girls the best decision for our family? As long as the answer is yes, then I hope that we can continue to homeschool. My girls are the sun and the moon to me. I am blissfully happy that we are on this journey together. I would not have it any other way!
This is an original post for World Moms Blog. Courtney can be found spending time with and homeschooling her two little girls at her site, Table of Four.
Photo credit for all 3 photos to Courtney Cappallo.
I must admit that I have never really thought about home schooling, so this was a very interesting article!
Thanks Asta!! Glad you enjoyed the article.
Courtney,
In your profile, you mention that you grew up in a small town in Pennsylvania. I am curious to ask what your education was like there as a child. Were you homeschooled, or did you go to public school? If it was public school, what were your class sizes like?
And, do you think your childhood education also had an influence on your motivation to homeschool your daughters?
This was a very interesting piece!! 🙂 And, I’m a big fan of teaching small children 2nd languages!
Way to go! : )
Veronica Samuels
Thank you Veronica! I went to the local public school in my hometown. I spent my entire childhood in Oxford, PA. My mother taught different grade levels through the years as a public school teacher in Oxford. Also, my father was principal and then superintendent for the Oxford School District. I had the best influence of public education in my home.
My mother got her master’s and is finishing her PhD. She retired from public school teaching and segued into teaching at a private school. Also, she is now a college professor at Rowan University assisting college students with their teaching skills. My mother is the gold standard when it comes to teaching and I am grateful to have her as a role model.
My class sizes at Oxford were about 30 students per class. I loved growing up in my hometown. It was truly an all-American experience. I had a tutor for Geometry. My grades dramatically increased when I was committed to an hour and a half of tutoring, two days a week. I continued to be tutored that summer following Geometry for the next math subject, Trigonometry. So in essence I went through homeschooling via a tutor that summer of my 16th year. I got a solid “A” in Trigonometry my junior year. I even got to skip the final because of my prior tests. I credit that entire “A” to the hour and a half, two times a week tutoring sessions I had all summer which continued throughout my junior year.
I am trying to provide my girls the best of what available. One on one tutoring worked best for me. I completely understood all of components. Through my experience I hope to do the same for my children.
Courtney,
On that note, you are a powerhouse of education, and I think you need to open your own school one day when your children are older. It would be outstanding!!
Veronica Samuels
I think it is wonderful that you home-school. I have considered it, but with the younger boys requiring so many hospitalizations, it really hasn’t been an option for us. It was a tough decision to send them to the public school, though. I do supplement their lessons, whenever I can and I see some great ones on your page that I’m anxious to try! Great article!
Thank you! What I think every family should do is what is best for them, do what works within your circle. I am sure your boys teacher loves that you supplement their lessons. You are working with her/him in molding your son.
Great post, Courtney! I am always amazed at your amazing lessons when I read your Table of Four blog. You must be very busy, when do you have time for yourself?!
Thanks Allison! I am busy, but so is every mom! I just try and find a balance. My brain is always running with thoughts and ideas, so much so that it is cluttered. Writing is a good outlet for me!
I’m blown away by your commitment to educating your girls. Are they wearing uniforms? That’s super cute. Have you ever considered becoming a preschool teacher?
Thanks Kally! You have an eye for detail, my girls are wearing uniforms! They’ve eliminated the battle of “what are you going to wear today?”. An incentive I use with my oldest daughter is that if she makes good choices throughout the week, she earns “fancy points.” The fancy points go towards a day she doesn’t wear her uniform. When she accumulates enough points she gets a “fancy school day.” She absolutely goes gaga over fancy school day. I love that it isn’t a monetary or food reward that she aims for!
I haven’t given any thought to becoming a preschool teacher. Homeschooling my girls takes up all my time. I told my husband that it is an all day job. It’s like I am running a school, not just teaching them. I feel like Miss Clavel from the Madeline book series! I want their environment to be catered to what I consider the highest quality education available, whether it’s through music, learning Spanish or keeping the house clean. It really is an all day/night affair. Lots of work, but lots of rewards!
I admire your commitment and hard work to homeschool your girls Courtney. Seems like your youngest is getting a head start by sitting in on her big sister’s lessons. (And I could see how big sister could be so proud to model learning behavior for her little sis!) I am looking forward to finding some time to sit down and read more about your home schooling experience on your Table of Four blog. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks you Eva! My youngest (Emery) is getting a head start. She is getting really good at maneuvering the smartboard!
I’m so impressed with your determination and committment to your daughters. I also love that you are incorporating a second language into your homeschooling, good for you!
Thanks Jenny! Today was day 50 in our homeschooling for Kindergarten. We counted all the way up to cincuenta (50) in Spanish. My two-year-old is speaking about 70% English and 30% Spanish so far. Last night my in-laws watched her and her sister for my husband and I. My mother-in-law told me that my youngest was looking through books saying “gato” and “perro.” My oldest daughter had to translate for her!
I’ve been home schooled since kindergarten. I did daycare and preschool and two months of kindergarten, only I absolutely hated it–so my mom took me out of the school system. I’ve been happy ever since. She tried to get me to go to high school, but I said no. We’re pretty laid back about home schooling. Since my mom works all the time, I’m pretty much left to my own devices. I’m pretty motivated about studying since I don’t want to go into college and be behind everyone else. That’s great that your home schooling your daughters! 😀
I’ve been home schooled since kindergarten. I did daycare and preschool and two months of kindergarten, only I absolutely hated it–so my mom took me out of the school system. I’ve been happy ever since. She tried to get me to go to high school, but I said no. We’re pretty laid back about home schooling. Since my mom works all the time, I’m pretty much left to my own devices. I’m pretty motivated about studying since I don’t want to go into college and be behind everyone else. That’s great that your home schooling your daughters! 😀
@ Sunflower – what grade level are you at right now? I love hearing from other home-schooling families.
The home-schooling is working so well for our family. I wish that I could have a day like my girls and I had today. Everything was just right and we did so much! I am surprised that I am not exhausted and it’s the end of the night! Good day!
@ Sunflower – what grade level are you at right now? I love hearing from other home-schooling families.
The home-schooling is working so well for our family. I wish that I could have a day like my girls and I had today. Everything was just right and we did so much! I am surprised that I am not exhausted and it’s the end of the night! Good day!
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