My daughter is only 7 months old, but I imagine she will be advanced regardless of her aptitude simply because we are teaching her from a young age.
My husband and I rent and also live near some of the best school districts in my State. We were planning on moving strategically about a year before DD enters kindergarten. A recent client has me rethinking this. I have been working inside of a local private school and the type of education they receive just kills me. It's not good. For my career, I provide 1:1 academic services to students with ADHD and Dyslexia and I can just imagine so many ways to cater to both the advanced students and the delayed ones in that classroom. I just can't imagine how a student would be able to thrive in that environment. I mean, my husband and I did ok. But, I think my enjoyment was learning the material and then being able to show how good I was at it (if that makes sense).
I don't know if being so far ahead in material would be helpful for my daughter. I would think it would just be extremely boring in class. My husband and I both work, although neither of us do so full time. I don't know if homeschooling would be a financial possibility, plus I'm not sure it would be great socially.
Did anyone end up homeschooling past age 5 that didn't expect to? What was your experience?
Anonymous2016-08-05T08:18:25Z
Favorite Answer
My story isn't exactly like yours. I started homeschooling in the primary grades because I didn't like the focus on reading from rote at an early age. Sight words drills, phonics, etc don't engage 4 and 5 year olds. My kids did learn to read between 5 and 6, but it wasn't from 1:1 traditional teaching. Since you're in education, you must be aware of some of the research I'm talking about. If not, look into it. Homeschooling was great for my kids. One did attend high school. She was not the valedictorian, but she always did well. She is finishing university now. My other child is attending university.
My advice to you would be to focus on reading to your daughter, giving her enriching activities and learning through play and manipulatives, not 1:1 traditional instruction until she is kindergarten aged. When she is nearing school age explore all your options. You will probably find homeschooling a good one. If so, continue. If you've been teaching at several schools, then you know they aren't all identical. Most will tell you the education they provide is superior. But there's really no best for all students. A Catholic school is not like a Montessori school. Nor are all public schools identical. Lumping them all together is as silly as lumping all homeschooled kids together. Trust me, homeschooling doesn't produce solely mini Einsteins.
One word of caution: please watch the pressure you're putting on your daughter. Assuming she will be the most advanced is a lot for a preschooler. The truth is at seven months, it's impossible to know and driven by ego. She has lots of time. Teach her and let her be a little girl. I've known a lot of homeschooled kids obviously and those who are pressured are neither the most successful or well adjusted. Focusing on material isn't as effective as focusing on learning to learn.
My son was ready for kindergarten at age 4. Previously the school allowed 4year olds if they took a placement test. However, they changed that the year my son would have started. The school was rude and said "No, he needs to go play for another year". They gave no alternatives or encouragement so we began homeschooling and never looked back. This year he starts highschool still homeschooling.
Do not try to push her ahead. That added pressure often can lead to burn out and frustration for both the parent (teacher) and student. Just teach at her level when she is ready. If that turns out to be advanced, great. If not, it's not a big deal. I usually won't plan more than 1 year in advance other than a general idea of possibilities. Then in the spring, I will evaluate where my kids are and my goals for the next year then order the appropriate level curriculum. Keep in mind that she may be at different levels for different subjects. That's fine and perfectly normal.