Pre Schooling | Home Schooling

Posts Tagged ‘health’

A marked increase in the number of families choosing the homeschool model of education has been realized in recent years. The US has seen a steep incline in violent crimes in schools across the country over the last 10 years or so. So it is understandable for parents to want to do all they can to protect their children. Another important factor is the desire to provide a higher quality of education. The fact is, the evidence proves that educational standards are not what they used to be in the US. What many parents like is the range of options available for choosing text books. When you stop and think about it there are an abundance of benefits to being homeschooled although no solution is going to be absolutely perfect.

The popularity has started a development of an entire cottage industry. Many families that can choose this option are following this path. To provide resources and support to parents and children, many organizations are beginning to form. One example is the formation of classes outside the home that act as a source of enrichment. Certain subjects are offered especially for homeschool children. Social and sports activities are another valuable offering for these children.

Read the rest of this entry »

Related Reading:

Homeschooling For DummiesIf you believe that a good education is the greatest gift you can give your child, you’re probably pretty unhappy with what’s being taught in most classrooms these days. If you think that education should do more than just train kids to take standardized tests, that it should build their critical thinking skills, enable them to weigh ethical considerations, instill a passion for learning, and reflect your core values and beliefs, then you’re probably fed up with the current state of our schools. If, like many parents, you’re wondering whether homeschooling can be the solution you’re looking for, then you’ll be happy to know that the answer is yes–and Home Schooling For Dummies shows you how.

This friendly, well-informed guide is a valuable resource for parents considering homeschooling, as well as veteran homeschooler interested in fresh homeschooling ideas. It gets you on track with what you need to know to confidently:

• De termine whether homeschooling is right for you and your family
• Get started in homeschooling
• Obtain teaching materials
• Develop a curriculum that reflects your values and beliefs
• Comply with all legal requirements
• Find healthy social outlets for your kids
• Join a homeschooling cooperative

From textbooks to computers to state compliance, expert Jennifer Kaufeld, covers all the bases. She anticipates most of your questions about homeschooling and answers them with clear, easy-to-follow answers enlivened by real-life accounts by parents around the nation who have opted to homeschool their children. Topics covered include:

• Deciding at what age to begin
• Determining your kid’s learning style and teaching to it
• Teaching special needs children
• Developing a curriculum that’s right for your children
• Finding social outlets for you homeschoolers
• Complying with state and federal regulations
• Teaching at the primary, middle school and high school levels
• Preparing for the SATs, ACT and other key standardized tests
• Networking with other homeschoolers

You shouldn’t have to compromise on your children’s education. Get Homeschooling For Dummies and find out how to turn your home into a school and raise smart, well-adjusted kids.

Free Range Learning: How Homeschooling Changes EverythingFree Range Learning presents eye-opening data about the meaning and importance of natural learning. This data-from neurologists, child development specialists, anthropologists, educators, historians and business innovators-turns many current assumptions about school-based education upside down. The book's factual approach is balanced by quotes and stories from over 100 homeschoolers from the U.S., Canada, Germany, Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, Mexico, India and Singapore. These parents and kids are the true authorities on alternative learning. Written for interested parents and educators, Free Range Learning will also encourage and excite those who want their children to have the benefits, but who are timid to approach homeschooling. This is the only book anyone needs to make the choice and start the process of homeschooling children, and is applicable for young people from pre-school through high school. Studies indicate that adults who were homeschooled are: * More likely to vote, volunteer and be involved in their communities than graduates of conventional schools. * Read more books than average. * More likely to have taken college level courses than the population as a whole. * Tend to be independent and self-reliant. Free Range Learning presents the simple choice to homeschool as something much more significant than a homespun method of education. Weldon asks us to consider this choice as participation in a cultural shift toward redefining success; and as a form of collective intelligence with major implications for the future of education. Children are naturally "free range" learners, she says. They build knowledge and skills naturally, within the full spectrum of their daily lives, while observing, exploring and pursuing their interests. This book guides any parent or educator in assisting that process. Free Range Learning demonstrates: * that children and teens can best be nurtured outside of restrictive educational systems * that we can restore what is heart-centered and meaningful back to a central place in education * how networking with others enriches the learning experience for our kids * how homeschooling has become a force of positive social change-making the community a better place for everyone.

The First Year of Homeschooling Your Child: Your Complete Guide to Getting Off to the Right StartHomeschool the right way from day one.
Are you considering homeschooling for your family? Today, many parents recognize that their child's school options are limited, inadequate, or even dangerous, and an increasing number are turning to homeschooling. But where do you start and how do you ensure the highest-quality educational experience, especially in that pivotal first year?
This comprehensive guide will help you determine the appropriate first steps, build your own educational philosophy, and discover the best ways to cater to your child's specific learning style, including:
·When, why, and how to get started
·The best ways to develop an effective curriculum, assess your child's progress, and navigate local regulations
·Kid-tested and parent-approved learning activities for all age levels
·Simple strategies for developing an independent child and strengthening family and social relationships
·And much, much more!
"To the thousands of requests we receive for help from families new to homeschooling, we will now recommend this warm and knowledgeable book. It will ensure that all families make it to the second year—including yours!" —Elizabeth Kanna, editor in chief, Homeschool.com
"Linda Dobson addresses all the issues facing parents as they consider the task of homeschooling over other educational options. Those who wonder whether they really can or want to do the job will find unique perspectives in this well-researched work."—Beverly K. Eakman, author and cofounder, National Education Consortium

Back to Basics: Raising Self-Sufficient ChildrenTimes are changing. We're learning that making do is a lost art that we need to revive.

When money was tight for our grandparents, they could still enjoy good food and nice clothing and furniture because they knew how to make these things for themselves. They were self-sufficient.

Are you raising your children to be self-sufficient? In the uncertain days ahead, will they be able to fend for themselves? Or will they be like so many modern Americans, dependent on others to do everything for them...as long as they have the money to pay for it.

Back to Basics: Raising Self-Sufficient Children explains why you should teach your children seven basic skills they'll need in order to become self-sufficient adults:

Cooking
Baking
Handling Money
Homemaking
Gardening
Woodworking
Sewing

In Back to Basics: Raising Self-Sufficient Children, author and homeschooling parent Barbara Frank shares her experiences of teaching these practical skills to her four children. Having scoured the Web for the very best online resources for learning the how-to's of these skills, she also shares the wealth of practical information she found, saving you the considerable time involved in searching out high-quality online resources to help you teach your children each of these practical skills. This eBook is based on a popular series of articles written for Mrs. Frank's newsletter. Readers loved the series so she put all of the articles into one eBook.

Developing these skills will prepare your children to face an uncertain future with confidence. As a bonus, it will build their self esteem in an authentic way, through the sense of accomplishment they feel as they become self-sufficient. If necessary, you can learn these skills right alongside your children.

Make sure your children become adults who know how to take care of themselves: get Back to Basics: Raising Self-Sufficient Children now!

Homeschooling Boys - Gaining Maximum Success from Minimum CooperationProduct Description

What do you do when life gives you boys to raise? In Tina Razzell’s case the answer is homeschool them. In her fifteen years as a homeschool mom she’s discovered that life with boys is not easy, always creative and often unpredictable. She shares in this book her trials and successes homeschooling her four children, three of them male.

At first she covers living with boys and the struggle between boys wanting to be independent and moms wanting to shelter them.

The second half of the book is about the specific ways she teaches boys who won’t sit still and those who struggle to write, with a chapter dedicated to teaching your lefty to write.

If you are starting to homeschool one or more boys, then this book will be a valuable help to your journey. If you have been homeschooling for a while you might relate to some of the stories.



Contents

1. It’s a Boy!

Part 1 – Raising Boys

2. Living with Boys

3. Boys want to be Independent

4. Temper Tantrums

5. Children are Creative

6. Guns and Other Weapons

Part 2 – Educating Boys

7. Curricula

8. Boys in School

9. Learning Disabilities

10. Learning to Write

11. Teaching a Lefty to Write

And Finally…

12. Teenage Boys Becoming Men





About the Author

Tina Razzell is a happily married mom with three boys and a girl. Originally from England, she now lives in the San Francisco Bay Area.

She’s been homeschooling for what seems like forever, and vaguely remembers a life before kids.
It didn’t take her long to realize that homeschooling three boys is not an easy task to undertake. Although she’s been writing about homeschooling for a while, this is her first book.

It is an interesting experience to speak with parents and children who receive their education at home. There are some marked areas of difference between schooling at home parental teachers and public school teachers but they can both be just as busy. Obviously a parent experiences a much reduced workload in terms of student numbers which is significant. However we must also consider this as an act of love for a child or children so it is a bit different. Children who are different in whatever way can receive benefits that can change their lives. Historically children in public school settings are known for their brutal cruelty towards other children as you probably have either read about, heard on the news or experienced yourself. The school at home setting offers some very real and concrete benefits.

Because of the popularity of schooling at home, an entire cottage industry has developed. This path is being followed by many families who are in a position to provide this alternative. To provide resources and support to parents and children, many organizations are beginning to form. An example of this is the formation of classes outside the home that act as a source of enrichment. Particular subjects are offered specifically for school at home children. Other important things offered are social and sports activities for these children.

Read the rest of this entry »

Related Reading:

Homeschooling Boys - Gaining Maximum Success from Minimum CooperationProduct Description

What do you do when life gives you boys to raise? In Tina Razzell’s case the answer is homeschool them. In her fifteen years as a homeschool mom she’s discovered that life with boys is not easy, always creative and often unpredictable. She shares in this book her trials and successes homeschooling her four children, three of them male.

At first she covers living with boys and the struggle between boys wanting to be independent and moms wanting to shelter them.

The second half of the book is about the specific ways she teaches boys who won’t sit still and those who struggle to write, with a chapter dedicated to teaching your lefty to write.

If you are starting to homeschool one or more boys, then this book will be a valuable help to your journey. If you have been homeschooling for a while you might relate to some of the stories.



Contents

1. It’s a Boy!

Part 1 – Raising Boys

2. Living with Boys

3. Boys want to be Independent

4. Temper Tantrums

5. Children are Creative

6. Guns and Other Weapons

Part 2 – Educating Boys

7. Curricula

8. Boys in School

9. Learning Disabilities

10. Learning to Write

11. Teaching a Lefty to Write

And Finally…

12. Teenage Boys Becoming Men





About the Author

Tina Razzell is a happily married mom with three boys and a girl. Originally from England, she now lives in the San Francisco Bay Area.

She’s been homeschooling for what seems like forever, and vaguely remembers a life before kids.
It didn’t take her long to realize that homeschooling three boys is not an easy task to undertake. Although she’s been writing about homeschooling for a while, this is her first book.

Our WORST Homeschool Mistakes (and how YOU can avoid them!) (Easy Homeschooling)We recently surveyed over 800 homeschooling families about what has worked well and not-so-well for them in their homeschooling activities. We got some remarkable answers from this survey. One of the most intriguing questions we asked was this: “What was your worst mistake in homeschooling your children... and if you could do it over again, what would you change about how you have homeschooled in the past?” We got some great responses to this question, with some tips and suggestions that are well worth considering by both newbie and veteran homeschoolers alike. This ebook is an edited collection of the best of these.

Now, as you go through this, here is a caveat for you: There obviously isn’t an ultimate “right way” to homeschool that fits everyone, and we’re not saying there is. Tthis is reflected in the responses you will find in this collection — in fact, some of the thoughts expressed here are directly contradicted by other moms. However, a few very definite patterns quickly emerge as you read through these. So our suggestion to you is this: Do any of these speak to you in your situation? Are there some hard-learned truths here that you can learn from? Can you apply some of these lessons to your own homeschooling? Glean and learn, friends… there are some true golden nuggets just for you here, if you are willing to find them!

The Ultimate Book of Homeschooling Ideas: 500+ Fun and Creative Learning Activities for Kids Ages 3-12Fun and Effective Home Learning Activities for Every Subject
As a homeschooling parent, you're always looking for new and creative ways to teach your child the basics. Look no longer! Inside this innovative helper, you'll find kid-tested and parent-approved techniques for learning math, science, writing, history, manners, and more that you can easily adapt to your family's homeschooling needs. And even if you don't homeschool, you'll find this book a great teaching tool outside the classroom. You'll discover fun and educational activities for kids ages 3 to 12, including how to:
·Create maps based on favorite stories, such as Treasure Island or The Wizard of Oz
·Make letters out of French fries as an alphabet learning aid
·Explore architecture by building igloos, castles, and bridges with sugar cubes and icing
·Review spelling words by writing them on the sidewalk with chalk
·And many more!
This comprehensive collection of tried-and-true—and generally inexpensive—ideas provides the best-of-the-best homeschooling activities that can be done anywhere, anytime, and by anyone.

The Well-Adjusted Child: The Social Benefits of HomeschoolingSocialization may well be the single most important aspect of education today. With high and rising rates of divorce, drug abuse, youth violence, alcoholism, teen promiscuity, and so forth, we cannot afford to let this issue go unexamined.To cling to the idea that what we, as a culture, are doing now is the right and best way for all children simply because it is what we are used to is to shut our eyes and minds to other possibilities-possibilities that may well afford greater happiness, success, peace, and safety to our own children.At a time when people feel more disconnected than ever before, we cannot afford to overlook or allow ourselves to be blinded to an option which offers great benefits, including a rich, fulfilling, and healthy social life, that our children may well need for the future. Homeschooling offers great social benefits to kids and parents. And when we understand them, our children are the ones who will win.

Back to Basics: Raising Self-Sufficient ChildrenTimes are changing. We're learning that making do is a lost art that we need to revive.

When money was tight for our grandparents, they could still enjoy good food and nice clothing and furniture because they knew how to make these things for themselves. They were self-sufficient.

Are you raising your children to be self-sufficient? In the uncertain days ahead, will they be able to fend for themselves? Or will they be like so many modern Americans, dependent on others to do everything for them...as long as they have the money to pay for it.

Back to Basics: Raising Self-Sufficient Children explains why you should teach your children seven basic skills they'll need in order to become self-sufficient adults:

Cooking
Baking
Handling Money
Homemaking
Gardening
Woodworking
Sewing

In Back to Basics: Raising Self-Sufficient Children, author and homeschooling parent Barbara Frank shares her experiences of teaching these practical skills to her four children. Having scoured the Web for the very best online resources for learning the how-to's of these skills, she also shares the wealth of practical information she found, saving you the considerable time involved in searching out high-quality online resources to help you teach your children each of these practical skills. This eBook is based on a popular series of articles written for Mrs. Frank's newsletter. Readers loved the series so she put all of the articles into one eBook.

Developing these skills will prepare your children to face an uncertain future with confidence. As a bonus, it will build their self esteem in an authentic way, through the sense of accomplishment they feel as they become self-sufficient. If necessary, you can learn these skills right alongside your children.

Make sure your children become adults who know how to take care of themselves: get Back to Basics: Raising Self-Sufficient Children now!

There is a vast history behind homeschooling mainly as a result of many countries having had a history of home education. There are laws in the US that were eventually passed making attendance in school a requirement which ultimately impacted how and where children were educated on a larger scale. Although, the last several decades have included many incidences that have influenced parents to begin to reconsider public school education.The thought of a traditional education is often not as satisfying as it was in the past, many parents dislike a lot of aspects of this type of education. It is really not surprising that parents want to have more control over what happens to their children.The teaching their children are being taught as well as what happens to them is important to parents. See below for many of the benefits of schooling your children at home.

Many parents will consider a teacher to student metric as they look at new schools for their children to attend if the ratio is too high they will look elsewhere. The ratio of students to teachers is a prime indicator of several things including individual attention. Many public schools are overcrowded, and the teacher simply does not have time to give high quality attention. Many students would fare far better in academics if they could get more one on one attention. This situation is resolved with homeschooling. The amount of individual attention can be as great or minimal as is necessary. That can be the difference between a child’s success and failure in learning any subject.

Read the rest of this entry »

Related Reading:

Free Range Learning: How Homeschooling Changes EverythingFree Range Learning presents eye-opening data about the meaning and importance of natural learning. This data-from neurologists, child development specialists, anthropologists, educators, historians and business innovators-turns many current assumptions about school-based education upside down. The book's factual approach is balanced by quotes and stories from over 100 homeschoolers from the U.S., Canada, Germany, Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, Mexico, India and Singapore. These parents and kids are the true authorities on alternative learning. Written for interested parents and educators, Free Range Learning will also encourage and excite those who want their children to have the benefits, but who are timid to approach homeschooling. This is the only book anyone needs to make the choice and start the process of homeschooling children, and is applicable for young people from pre-school through high school. Studies indicate that adults who were homeschooled are: * More likely to vote, volunteer and be involved in their communities than graduates of conventional schools. * Read more books than average. * More likely to have taken college level courses than the population as a whole. * Tend to be independent and self-reliant. Free Range Learning presents the simple choice to homeschool as something much more significant than a homespun method of education. Weldon asks us to consider this choice as participation in a cultural shift toward redefining success; and as a form of collective intelligence with major implications for the future of education. Children are naturally "free range" learners, she says. They build knowledge and skills naturally, within the full spectrum of their daily lives, while observing, exploring and pursuing their interests. This book guides any parent or educator in assisting that process. Free Range Learning demonstrates: * that children and teens can best be nurtured outside of restrictive educational systems * that we can restore what is heart-centered and meaningful back to a central place in education * how networking with others enriches the learning experience for our kids * how homeschooling has become a force of positive social change-making the community a better place for everyone.

Homeschooling Boys - Gaining Maximum Success from Minimum CooperationProduct Description

What do you do when life gives you boys to raise? In Tina Razzell’s case the answer is homeschool them. In her fifteen years as a homeschool mom she’s discovered that life with boys is not easy, always creative and often unpredictable. She shares in this book her trials and successes homeschooling her four children, three of them male.

At first she covers living with boys and the struggle between boys wanting to be independent and moms wanting to shelter them.

The second half of the book is about the specific ways she teaches boys who won’t sit still and those who struggle to write, with a chapter dedicated to teaching your lefty to write.

If you are starting to homeschool one or more boys, then this book will be a valuable help to your journey. If you have been homeschooling for a while you might relate to some of the stories.



Contents

1. It’s a Boy!

Part 1 – Raising Boys

2. Living with Boys

3. Boys want to be Independent

4. Temper Tantrums

5. Children are Creative

6. Guns and Other Weapons

Part 2 – Educating Boys

7. Curricula

8. Boys in School

9. Learning Disabilities

10. Learning to Write

11. Teaching a Lefty to Write

And Finally…

12. Teenage Boys Becoming Men





About the Author

Tina Razzell is a happily married mom with three boys and a girl. Originally from England, she now lives in the San Francisco Bay Area.

She’s been homeschooling for what seems like forever, and vaguely remembers a life before kids.
It didn’t take her long to realize that homeschooling three boys is not an easy task to undertake. Although she’s been writing about homeschooling for a while, this is her first book.

Our Best Homeschool Activities EVER! (Easy Homeschooling)This collection is a true treasure hunt for both new and experienced homeschool parents! We asked over 400 homeschooling parents “What has been your all-time favorite homeschooling activity?” We received all sorts of wonderful ideas, suggestions and activities in response, and whittled them down into the concise, delightful ideabook you see here.

This is not a huge text, but the ideas included here could be priceless for you... “real life” experiences that other homeschooling parents wanted to share, to help YOU have the best homeschool experiences possible. Just dig in... you're sure to strike some ideas that are pure gold for YOUR homeschool!

The Well-Adjusted Child: The Social Benefits of HomeschoolingSocialization may well be the single most important aspect of education today. With high and rising rates of divorce, drug abuse, youth violence, alcoholism, teen promiscuity, and so forth, we cannot afford to let this issue go unexamined.To cling to the idea that what we, as a culture, are doing now is the right and best way for all children simply because it is what we are used to is to shut our eyes and minds to other possibilities-possibilities that may well afford greater happiness, success, peace, and safety to our own children.At a time when people feel more disconnected than ever before, we cannot afford to overlook or allow ourselves to be blinded to an option which offers great benefits, including a rich, fulfilling, and healthy social life, that our children may well need for the future. Homeschooling offers great social benefits to kids and parents. And when we understand them, our children are the ones who will win.

Homeschooling For DummiesIf you believe that a good education is the greatest gift you can give your child, you’re probably pretty unhappy with what’s being taught in most classrooms these days. If you think that education should do more than just train kids to take standardized tests, that it should build their critical thinking skills, enable them to weigh ethical considerations, instill a passion for learning, and reflect your core values and beliefs, then you’re probably fed up with the current state of our schools. If, like many parents, you’re wondering whether homeschooling can be the solution you’re looking for, then you’ll be happy to know that the answer is yes–and Home Schooling For Dummies shows you how.

This friendly, well-informed guide is a valuable resource for parents considering homeschooling, as well as veteran homeschooler interested in fresh homeschooling ideas. It gets you on track with what you need to know to confidently:

• De termine whether homeschooling is right for you and your family
• Get started in homeschooling
• Obtain teaching materials
• Develop a curriculum that reflects your values and beliefs
• Comply with all legal requirements
• Find healthy social outlets for your kids
• Join a homeschooling cooperative

From textbooks to computers to state compliance, expert Jennifer Kaufeld, covers all the bases. She anticipates most of your questions about homeschooling and answers them with clear, easy-to-follow answers enlivened by real-life accounts by parents around the nation who have opted to homeschool their children. Topics covered include:

• Deciding at what age to begin
• Determining your kid’s learning style and teaching to it
• Teaching special needs children
• Developing a curriculum that’s right for your children
• Finding social outlets for you homeschoolers
• Complying with state and federal regulations
• Teaching at the primary, middle school and high school levels
• Preparing for the SATs, ACT and other key standardized tests
• Networking with other homeschoolers

You shouldn’t have to compromise on your children’s education. Get Homeschooling For Dummies and find out how to turn your home into a school and raise smart, well-adjusted kids.

The history behind schooling at home is derived from the fact that many countries endorse home education. The United States passed laws that require children to attend school, these laws had a measurable impact on not only how, but also where kids were taught. Parents have taken on a new way of thinking where public school is concerned due in part to influences and events that have occurred over the last several decades.There are of course many parents who are not satisfied with a lot of the aspects of a traditional education. It is really not surprising that parents want to have more control over what happens to their children.The teaching their children are being taught as well as what happens to them is important to parents. Here are several of the many benefits of schooling at home your children.

It seems most public schools, as well as some private schools, are overcrowded. The teacher student ratios are often above maximum capacity. It’s a fact that schools must operate within a budget which makes the overall economy a concern.This is another reason for crowded or overcrowded classrooms and decreased individualized attention. Spiritual parents often desire for their children to learn and be educated in environments that are inclusive of their spiritual beliefs. Along the same lines, that type of setting will not subject their children to learning historical areas that are counter to their beliefs.

Read the rest of this entry »

Related Reading:

The First Year of Homeschooling Your Child: Your Complete Guide to Getting Off to the Right StartHomeschool the right way from day one.
Are you considering homeschooling for your family? Today, many parents recognize that their child's school options are limited, inadequate, or even dangerous, and an increasing number are turning to homeschooling. But where do you start and how do you ensure the highest-quality educational experience, especially in that pivotal first year?
This comprehensive guide will help you determine the appropriate first steps, build your own educational philosophy, and discover the best ways to cater to your child's specific learning style, including:
·When, why, and how to get started
·The best ways to develop an effective curriculum, assess your child's progress, and navigate local regulations
·Kid-tested and parent-approved learning activities for all age levels
·Simple strategies for developing an independent child and strengthening family and social relationships
·And much, much more!
"To the thousands of requests we receive for help from families new to homeschooling, we will now recommend this warm and knowledgeable book. It will ensure that all families make it to the second year—including yours!" —Elizabeth Kanna, editor in chief, Homeschool.com
"Linda Dobson addresses all the issues facing parents as they consider the task of homeschooling over other educational options. Those who wonder whether they really can or want to do the job will find unique perspectives in this well-researched work."—Beverly K. Eakman, author and cofounder, National Education Consortium

Our Best Homeschool Activities EVER! (Easy Homeschooling)This collection is a true treasure hunt for both new and experienced homeschool parents! We asked over 400 homeschooling parents “What has been your all-time favorite homeschooling activity?” We received all sorts of wonderful ideas, suggestions and activities in response, and whittled them down into the concise, delightful ideabook you see here.

This is not a huge text, but the ideas included here could be priceless for you... “real life” experiences that other homeschooling parents wanted to share, to help YOU have the best homeschool experiences possible. Just dig in... you're sure to strike some ideas that are pure gold for YOUR homeschool!

Homeschooling for the Rest of Us: How Your One-of-a-Kind Family Can Make Homeschooling and Real Life WorkHomeschooling parents are under great pressure. Besides trying to balance teaching responsibilities and family life, they often face unrealistic expectations from relatives, churches, other homeschoolers, and society at large. Even parents considering homeschooling sense the need to be perfect.

Sonya Haskins doesn't want any more families to give up on homeschooling. In this book she shares affirming stories and practical ideas from dozens of everyday families who successfully deal with cluttered schedules, academic struggles, sibling squabbles, and other real-life issues. Instead of learning a one-size-fits-all approach, readers will discover how to evaluate their own family's strengths and weaknesses and set their own goals for success.

The Well-Adjusted Child: The Social Benefits of HomeschoolingSocialization may well be the single most important aspect of education today. With high and rising rates of divorce, drug abuse, youth violence, alcoholism, teen promiscuity, and so forth, we cannot afford to let this issue go unexamined.To cling to the idea that what we, as a culture, are doing now is the right and best way for all children simply because it is what we are used to is to shut our eyes and minds to other possibilities-possibilities that may well afford greater happiness, success, peace, and safety to our own children.At a time when people feel more disconnected than ever before, we cannot afford to overlook or allow ourselves to be blinded to an option which offers great benefits, including a rich, fulfilling, and healthy social life, that our children may well need for the future. Homeschooling offers great social benefits to kids and parents. And when we understand them, our children are the ones who will win.

The Ultimate Book of Homeschooling Ideas: 500+ Fun and Creative Learning Activities for Kids Ages 3-12Fun and Effective Home Learning Activities for Every Subject
As a homeschooling parent, you're always looking for new and creative ways to teach your child the basics. Look no longer! Inside this innovative helper, you'll find kid-tested and parent-approved techniques for learning math, science, writing, history, manners, and more that you can easily adapt to your family's homeschooling needs. And even if you don't homeschool, you'll find this book a great teaching tool outside the classroom. You'll discover fun and educational activities for kids ages 3 to 12, including how to:
·Create maps based on favorite stories, such as Treasure Island or The Wizard of Oz
·Make letters out of French fries as an alphabet learning aid
·Explore architecture by building igloos, castles, and bridges with sugar cubes and icing
·Review spelling words by writing them on the sidewalk with chalk
·And many more!
This comprehensive collection of tried-and-true—and generally inexpensive—ideas provides the best-of-the-best homeschooling activities that can be done anywhere, anytime, and by anyone.

Homeschooled children profit with the strong link between them and the parents. The school age years are when so many attitudes and beliefs are formed that will impact a child for life. Of course there are many factors that must be taken into account in any situation. Usually, when a student is supported and encouraged while they learn, they will have a stronger sense of worth. Experiencing that will not happen for most people. Children can age into an adult that doesn’t face a lessened self-esteem when they take that foundation and grow with it. The above mentioned are two Irreplaceable advantages because we see so many grownups without those attributes.

Many parents will consider a teacher to student metric as they look at new schools for their children to attend if the ratio is too high they will look elsewhere. The number of teachers to students seems to indicate many things as a prime example, individual attention is diminished with higher ratios. Many public schools are overcrowded, and the teacher simply does not have time to give high quality attention. Receiving more attention could indeed be beneficial for a lot of students. This situation is resolved with homeschooling. Individual attention amounts can be a large or as small as the parent and child choose. This along can make a huge difference in a child’s overall learning success no matter what the subject.

Read the rest of this entry »

Related Reading:

Our WORST Homeschool Mistakes (and how YOU can avoid them!) (Easy Homeschooling)We recently surveyed over 800 homeschooling families about what has worked well and not-so-well for them in their homeschooling activities. We got some remarkable answers from this survey. One of the most intriguing questions we asked was this: “What was your worst mistake in homeschooling your children... and if you could do it over again, what would you change about how you have homeschooled in the past?” We got some great responses to this question, with some tips and suggestions that are well worth considering by both newbie and veteran homeschoolers alike. This ebook is an edited collection of the best of these.

Now, as you go through this, here is a caveat for you: There obviously isn’t an ultimate “right way” to homeschool that fits everyone, and we’re not saying there is. Tthis is reflected in the responses you will find in this collection — in fact, some of the thoughts expressed here are directly contradicted by other moms. However, a few very definite patterns quickly emerge as you read through these. So our suggestion to you is this: Do any of these speak to you in your situation? Are there some hard-learned truths here that you can learn from? Can you apply some of these lessons to your own homeschooling? Glean and learn, friends… there are some true golden nuggets just for you here, if you are willing to find them!

Back to Basics: Raising Self-Sufficient ChildrenTimes are changing. We're learning that making do is a lost art that we need to revive.

When money was tight for our grandparents, they could still enjoy good food and nice clothing and furniture because they knew how to make these things for themselves. They were self-sufficient.

Are you raising your children to be self-sufficient? In the uncertain days ahead, will they be able to fend for themselves? Or will they be like so many modern Americans, dependent on others to do everything for them...as long as they have the money to pay for it.

Back to Basics: Raising Self-Sufficient Children explains why you should teach your children seven basic skills they'll need in order to become self-sufficient adults:

Cooking
Baking
Handling Money
Homemaking
Gardening
Woodworking
Sewing

In Back to Basics: Raising Self-Sufficient Children, author and homeschooling parent Barbara Frank shares her experiences of teaching these practical skills to her four children. Having scoured the Web for the very best online resources for learning the how-to's of these skills, she also shares the wealth of practical information she found, saving you the considerable time involved in searching out high-quality online resources to help you teach your children each of these practical skills. This eBook is based on a popular series of articles written for Mrs. Frank's newsletter. Readers loved the series so she put all of the articles into one eBook.

Developing these skills will prepare your children to face an uncertain future with confidence. As a bonus, it will build their self esteem in an authentic way, through the sense of accomplishment they feel as they become self-sufficient. If necessary, you can learn these skills right alongside your children.

Make sure your children become adults who know how to take care of themselves: get Back to Basics: Raising Self-Sufficient Children now!

The First Year of Homeschooling Your Child: Your Complete Guide to Getting Off to the Right StartHomeschool the right way from day one.
Are you considering homeschooling for your family? Today, many parents recognize that their child's school options are limited, inadequate, or even dangerous, and an increasing number are turning to homeschooling. But where do you start and how do you ensure the highest-quality educational experience, especially in that pivotal first year?
This comprehensive guide will help you determine the appropriate first steps, build your own educational philosophy, and discover the best ways to cater to your child's specific learning style, including:
·When, why, and how to get started
·The best ways to develop an effective curriculum, assess your child's progress, and navigate local regulations
·Kid-tested and parent-approved learning activities for all age levels
·Simple strategies for developing an independent child and strengthening family and social relationships
·And much, much more!
"To the thousands of requests we receive for help from families new to homeschooling, we will now recommend this warm and knowledgeable book. It will ensure that all families make it to the second year—including yours!" —Elizabeth Kanna, editor in chief, Homeschool.com
"Linda Dobson addresses all the issues facing parents as they consider the task of homeschooling over other educational options. Those who wonder whether they really can or want to do the job will find unique perspectives in this well-researched work."—Beverly K. Eakman, author and cofounder, National Education Consortium

Homeschooling for the Rest of Us: How Your One-of-a-Kind Family Can Make Homeschooling and Real Life WorkHomeschooling parents are under great pressure. Besides trying to balance teaching responsibilities and family life, they often face unrealistic expectations from relatives, churches, other homeschoolers, and society at large. Even parents considering homeschooling sense the need to be perfect.

Sonya Haskins doesn't want any more families to give up on homeschooling. In this book she shares affirming stories and practical ideas from dozens of everyday families who successfully deal with cluttered schedules, academic struggles, sibling squabbles, and other real-life issues. Instead of learning a one-size-fits-all approach, readers will discover how to evaluate their own family's strengths and weaknesses and set their own goals for success.

The Ultimate Book of Homeschooling Ideas: 500+ Fun and Creative Learning Activities for Kids Ages 3-12Fun and Effective Home Learning Activities for Every Subject
As a homeschooling parent, you're always looking for new and creative ways to teach your child the basics. Look no longer! Inside this innovative helper, you'll find kid-tested and parent-approved techniques for learning math, science, writing, history, manners, and more that you can easily adapt to your family's homeschooling needs. And even if you don't homeschool, you'll find this book a great teaching tool outside the classroom. You'll discover fun and educational activities for kids ages 3 to 12, including how to:
·Create maps based on favorite stories, such as Treasure Island or The Wizard of Oz
·Make letters out of French fries as an alphabet learning aid
·Explore architecture by building igloos, castles, and bridges with sugar cubes and icing
·Review spelling words by writing them on the sidewalk with chalk
·And many more!
This comprehensive collection of tried-and-true—and generally inexpensive—ideas provides the best-of-the-best homeschooling activities that can be done anywhere, anytime, and by anyone.

There are a lot of things in the house that can bring fatal accidents to babies but a lot of parents or guardians are not paying too much attention to them.

Believe it or not there have been many children who have died right in a house that had a guardian or a parent because too little attention was paid to these little things that are safe to adults but not babies. All these things should be baby proofed before the baby even leaves the hospital.

The best place to begin with making the home safer for your baby would be with the electrical outlets as this will not cost too much or take too much time. All of them need to be covered and the plugs always kept in their off position to avoid any electrocuting of the baby.

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The Big Book of Sight Words: Vocabulary Words for PreschoolThe Big Book of Sight Words is a powerful tool that will help your preschool age child develop their vocabulary and communication skills. Children love gadgets and technology, and this ebook is viewable on Kindle, ipad/iphone, Android devices, and even desktop computers, using the free Kindle application from Amazon.

It was specifically designed to teach children the crucial “40 Sight Words” from the Dolch List of most common words found in children’s reading books.

Named after Dr. Edward Dolch, who had originally compiled the list of the 220 most common words, sight, or “service” words are words that cannot be phonetically “sounded out,” and therefore should be memorized.

Developing fluency in in these crucial words and nouns is essential to literacy, and will help your child become a stronger reader. Children should learn to recognize all of the 220 sight words and nouns by the end of first grade.

The Big Book of Sight Words will help them do just that.

Get this extremely effective book today for your “parental toolbox,” and help your child develop their “educational edge” for tomorrow.

The Night Before PreschoolIt's the night before preschool, and a little boy named Billy is so nervous he can't fall asleep. The friends he makes the next day at school give him a reason not to sleep the next night, either: he's too excited about going back! The book's simple rhyming text and sweet illustrations will soothe any child's fears about the first day of school.

Big Preschool WorkbookThis Big Preschool Workbook combines popular 32-page School Zone workbooks into one convenient 320-page volume. Child-friendly exercises and full-color illustrations make learning fun. Use Big Workbooks to reinforce or review grade-level skills or prepare for the upcoming school year. Contents include: Same or Different, Mazes, Does It Belong, Uppercase Alphabet, Lowercase Alphabet, Thinking Skills, Preschool Basics, and Preschool Scholar.

(Ages: 3-5 | 320 Pages)

I Know Letters (Preschool) (Step Ahead)Contains activities for parents to use in preparing their children for kindergarten. Includes press-out panels and stickers. Author: Susan J. Schneck Reading Level: Ages 4-8 Format: 32 pages, Paperback Publisher: Golden Books 1 edition (November 12, 1985) ISBN: 978-0307035844

Brain Quest Workbook: Pre-KJam-packed with hundreds of curriculum-based activities, exercises and games in every subject, Brain Quest Workbook: Pre-K reinforces what kids are learning in the classroom. The workbook's lively layout and easy-to-follow explanations make learning fun, interactive, and concrete. Plus it's written to help parents follow and explain key concepts. Includes ABCs, 123s, tracing letters, mazes, shapes, colors, beginning sounds, sorting and matching, "what's wrong with this picture" games, and much, much more.

Anxiety disorders are varied an include agoraphobia, post-traumatic stress disorder, panic disorder, specific phobias, generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and a number of other medical conditions. Most people do not learn about anxiety disorder normally, so it is important to put effort into learning about anxiety disorders if you or a loved one is diagnosed with one of these medical conditions.

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Alex Ready, Set, School Activity Box, Alex Little Hands SeriesKindergarten, here we come! This jumbo box of preschool learning activities helps kids develop the essential skills they'll need for school. And because the activities are so much fun, future students look forward to learning. Kindergarten readiness pack includes dry erase workbooks, preschool worksheets, stencils, crayons, stickers, and more. Helps preschoolers master the alphabet, numbers and counting, colors, shapes...there's even a shoe-shaped lacing board so kids can learn to tie their shoes! With helpful, step-by-step instructions for parents. For ages 3 and up.

Big Preschool WorkbookThis Big Preschool Workbook combines popular 32-page School Zone workbooks into one convenient 320-page volume. Child-friendly exercises and full-color illustrations make learning fun. Use Big Workbooks to reinforce or review grade-level skills or prepare for the upcoming school year. Contents include: Same or Different, Mazes, Does It Belong, Uppercase Alphabet, Lowercase Alphabet, Thinking Skills, Preschool Basics, and Preschool Scholar.

(Ages: 3-5 | 320 Pages)

Melissa & Doug See & SpellPlace the colorful wooden letters in their proper places to spell words on the cut out two-sided wooden boards. Includes 16 playful pictures with three and four letter words to keep learning fun. Includes over 50 letters.

The Night Before PreschoolIt's the night before preschool, and a little boy named Billy is so nervous he can't fall asleep. The friends he makes the next day at school give him a reason not to sleep the next night, either: he's too excited about going back! The book's simple rhyming text and sweet illustrations will soothe any child's fears about the first day of school.

Preschool Skills (Home Workbooks)-Build essential skills while having fun with Home Workbooks! Now updated with fun, colorful pages and engaging art, each book measures 7" x 9.25" and is filled with 64 pages of age-appropriate activities, puzzles, and games. These teacher-approved books are perfect for home, school, summer breaks, and road trips! Skills covered include classifying, letter recognition, counting, number recognition, and more! An incentive chart and 140 full-color stickers are also included to help parents or teachers track student progress. Home Workbooks are available for prekindergarten through grade 3 students, and feature titles in a wide variety of skill areas to suit any need.

Eating a great healthy diet will mean you get all the vitamins you need from your food, however, there are some vitamins and minerals that are especially important whilst you are pregnant. After all, you’ve got another person growing in you now and you’ve got to be responsible for their vitamins and minerals too as well as your own!

It is best to get vitamins and minerals from the food you eat, but when you are pregnant you will need some supplements as well. We have some suggestions as to what types of foods are good sources of the vitamins and minerals you need, and what supplements you should take. We hope you find the information helpful – simply follow the links below to our website where you’ll find out more about the different vitamins and minerals you need.

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Big Preschool WorkbookThis Big Preschool Workbook combines popular 32-page School Zone workbooks into one convenient 320-page volume. Child-friendly exercises and full-color illustrations make learning fun. Use Big Workbooks to reinforce or review grade-level skills or prepare for the upcoming school year. Contents include: Same or Different, Mazes, Does It Belong, Uppercase Alphabet, Lowercase Alphabet, Thinking Skills, Preschool Basics, and Preschool Scholar.

(Ages: 3-5 | 320 Pages)

Melissa & Doug See & SpellPlace the colorful wooden letters in their proper places to spell words on the cut out two-sided wooden boards. Includes 16 playful pictures with three and four letter words to keep learning fun. Includes over 50 letters.

Preschool and Kindergarten Learning Games Free

I Know Letters (Preschool) (Step Ahead)Contains activities for parents to use in preparing their children for kindergarten. Includes press-out panels and stickers. Author: Susan J. Schneck Reading Level: Ages 4-8 Format: 32 pages, Paperback Publisher: Golden Books 1 edition (November 12, 1985) ISBN: 978-0307035844

The Big Book of Sight Words: Vocabulary Words for PreschoolThe Big Book of Sight Words is a powerful tool that will help your preschool age child develop their vocabulary and communication skills. Children love gadgets and technology, and this ebook is viewable on Kindle, ipad/iphone, Android devices, and even desktop computers, using the free Kindle application from Amazon.

It was specifically designed to teach children the crucial “40 Sight Words” from the Dolch List of most common words found in children’s reading books.

Named after Dr. Edward Dolch, who had originally compiled the list of the 220 most common words, sight, or “service” words are words that cannot be phonetically “sounded out,” and therefore should be memorized.

Developing fluency in in these crucial words and nouns is essential to literacy, and will help your child become a stronger reader. Children should learn to recognize all of the 220 sight words and nouns by the end of first grade.

The Big Book of Sight Words will help them do just that.

Get this extremely effective book today for your “parental toolbox,” and help your child develop their “educational edge” for tomorrow.

Most parents spend time protecting their children and teaching them lessons regarding safety. We childproof our homes when the kids are young, we teach them how to safely cross the street and we place them in car seats when traveling. However, as they become ready to ride a bicycle many parents don’t put the same effort into protecting their kids on the bikes. Here are a few tips on keeping your kids safe while riding their bikes!

The first part of riding in a safe manner is wearing a helmet! We’ve all heard how helmets can save lives and it’s absolutely true. Statistics show that 80% of children who die in a bike accident each year were caused by head injuries. There were also a reported 270,000 injuries that required emergency room visits last year and half of these visits showed some sort of brain trauma.

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Big Preschool WorkbookThis Big Preschool Workbook combines popular 32-page School Zone workbooks into one convenient 320-page volume. Child-friendly exercises and full-color illustrations make learning fun. Use Big Workbooks to reinforce or review grade-level skills or prepare for the upcoming school year. Contents include: Same or Different, Mazes, Does It Belong, Uppercase Alphabet, Lowercase Alphabet, Thinking Skills, Preschool Basics, and Preschool Scholar.

(Ages: 3-5 | 320 Pages)

The Big Book of Sight Words: Vocabulary Words for PreschoolThe Big Book of Sight Words is a powerful tool that will help your preschool age child develop their vocabulary and communication skills. Children love gadgets and technology, and this ebook is viewable on Kindle, ipad/iphone, Android devices, and even desktop computers, using the free Kindle application from Amazon.

It was specifically designed to teach children the crucial “40 Sight Words” from the Dolch List of most common words found in children’s reading books.

Named after Dr. Edward Dolch, who had originally compiled the list of the 220 most common words, sight, or “service” words are words that cannot be phonetically “sounded out,” and therefore should be memorized.

Developing fluency in in these crucial words and nouns is essential to literacy, and will help your child become a stronger reader. Children should learn to recognize all of the 220 sight words and nouns by the end of first grade.

The Big Book of Sight Words will help them do just that.

Get this extremely effective book today for your “parental toolbox,” and help your child develop their “educational edge” for tomorrow.

The Night Before PreschoolIt's the night before preschool, and a little boy named Billy is so nervous he can't fall asleep. The friends he makes the next day at school give him a reason not to sleep the next night, either: he's too excited about going back! The book's simple rhyming text and sweet illustrations will soothe any child's fears about the first day of school.

Alex Ready, Set, School Activity Box, Alex Little Hands SeriesKindergarten, here we come! This jumbo box of preschool learning activities helps kids develop the essential skills they'll need for school. And because the activities are so much fun, future students look forward to learning. Kindergarten readiness pack includes dry erase workbooks, preschool worksheets, stencils, crayons, stickers, and more. Helps preschoolers master the alphabet, numbers and counting, colors, shapes...there's even a shoe-shaped lacing board so kids can learn to tie their shoes! With helpful, step-by-step instructions for parents. For ages 3 and up.

Melissa & Doug See & SpellPlace the colorful wooden letters in their proper places to spell words on the cut out two-sided wooden boards. Includes 16 playful pictures with three and four letter words to keep learning fun. Includes over 50 letters.

Experts agree that students who eat healthier foods throughout the day do better in class and stay more alert and focused the entire day. However, finding foods that are both healthy and nutritious that your children actually want can be very difficult. There are some easy and fast ways to make certain your child is equipped with nourishing meals and snacks each day.

Its important that you try not to pack pre-processed packaged foods despite their convenience. These foods are often very fatty and contain high amounts of sodium. Try to avoid potato chips, sodas and other sugary options as well. Instead, try to plan ahead and prepare baggies and containers of fresh, nutritious choices.

Read the rest of this entry »

Related Reading:

The Big Book of Sight Words: Vocabulary Words for PreschoolThe Big Book of Sight Words is a powerful tool that will help your preschool age child develop their vocabulary and communication skills. Children love gadgets and technology, and this ebook is viewable on Kindle, ipad/iphone, Android devices, and even desktop computers, using the free Kindle application from Amazon.

It was specifically designed to teach children the crucial “40 Sight Words” from the Dolch List of most common words found in children’s reading books.

Named after Dr. Edward Dolch, who had originally compiled the list of the 220 most common words, sight, or “service” words are words that cannot be phonetically “sounded out,” and therefore should be memorized.

Developing fluency in in these crucial words and nouns is essential to literacy, and will help your child become a stronger reader. Children should learn to recognize all of the 220 sight words and nouns by the end of first grade.

The Big Book of Sight Words will help them do just that.

Get this extremely effective book today for your “parental toolbox,” and help your child develop their “educational edge” for tomorrow.

50 Counting Bears with 5 CupsThese colorful bears give students experience in sorting objects into sets, good preparation for math. Each set includes 50 plastic bears (10 each of blue, green, red, yellow and purple) plus five plastic cups in colors that match the bears, for extra sorting fun!

Brain Quest Workbook: Pre-KJam-packed with hundreds of curriculum-based activities, exercises and games in every subject, Brain Quest Workbook: Pre-K reinforces what kids are learning in the classroom. The workbook's lively layout and easy-to-follow explanations make learning fun, interactive, and concrete. Plus it's written to help parents follow and explain key concepts. Includes ABCs, 123s, tracing letters, mazes, shapes, colors, beginning sounds, sorting and matching, "what's wrong with this picture" games, and much, much more.

Big Preschool WorkbookThis Big Preschool Workbook combines popular 32-page School Zone workbooks into one convenient 320-page volume. Child-friendly exercises and full-color illustrations make learning fun. Use Big Workbooks to reinforce or review grade-level skills or prepare for the upcoming school year. Contents include: Same or Different, Mazes, Does It Belong, Uppercase Alphabet, Lowercase Alphabet, Thinking Skills, Preschool Basics, and Preschool Scholar.

(Ages: 3-5 | 320 Pages)

Preschool Skills (Home Workbooks)-Build essential skills while having fun with Home Workbooks! Now updated with fun, colorful pages and engaging art, each book measures 7" x 9.25" and is filled with 64 pages of age-appropriate activities, puzzles, and games. These teacher-approved books are perfect for home, school, summer breaks, and road trips! Skills covered include classifying, letter recognition, counting, number recognition, and more! An incentive chart and 140 full-color stickers are also included to help parents or teachers track student progress. Home Workbooks are available for prekindergarten through grade 3 students, and feature titles in a wide variety of skill areas to suit any need.