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I’ve lost count of how often people inquire about my child’s preschool. When I share that I’m choosing to homeschool my almost five-year-old, I often receive puzzled looks. As a mother of four, I’ve been on this homeschooling journey at various times, and the common question I face is, “What about socialization?”
Each of my homeschooling experiences has had different motivations. For one child, I withdrew her from public school after a lengthy struggle to secure support for her learning difficulties. For another, it was about aligning with our family schedule. This time, my decision to homeschool my preschooler stems simply from my desire to do so.
With kindergarten on the horizon next fall, my daughter will be among the oldest in her class, just shy of the birthday cutoff. I genuinely believe this will benefit her. My years of parenting have shown me that being an older child in class often leads to greater maturity and readiness for the challenges of school.
The thought of sending my child to preschool amidst a pandemic genuinely unsettles me. The images I’ve seen depict an experience that feels far from joyful. (I have immense respect for the teachers who are working tirelessly.) I don’t want my little one to be distanced from her peers, masked, and dealing with the constant threat of quarantines, especially with variants like Delta circulating. While I support COVID-19 precautions, I want my child to enjoy a more ideal preschool experience. At home, I can offer her ample recess time without masks and minimize her exposure to the virus.
This past year has been particularly challenging for my family. I faced a second battle with breast cancer, and prior to my diagnosis and the COVID surge, I envisioned a year filled with outdoor play, errands, and nurturing her pre-kindergarten skills, like letter writing and using scissors, at her pace. Instead, my older kids were remote learning intermittently, and I spent much of my time attending cancer treatments. It was draining, and I felt robbed by cancer, compounded by the pandemic’s challenges.
In the upcoming school year, I want to focus on my youngest child. She’s always had her three siblings around, and this is a unique opportunity for just the two of us. With one year left before she steps into kindergarten, I’m determined to make it memorable.
From my experience teaching college writing and homeschooling my other children, I understand that learning occurs in various ways. Preschool isn’t solely about academics; it encompasses physical health, emotional well-being, and the freedom to be creative and curious. I want to create an environment for my child where she can develop a broad range of skills.
As my youngest, we don’t plan to expand our family further. If you think this decision is self-centered, you’re partly right. While it benefits my relationship with my daughter, I also feel qualified to teach her at home. I’m not worried that she’ll miss out on anything by forgoing traditional preschool.
Before long, she’ll board a big yellow bus with too-large backpack and head off to kindergarten. I’ll be emotional, just like all the other parents, filled with a mix of pride and anxiety. Until then, we’ll enjoy our time together at home, with the flexibility to learn at our own pace.
Regarding the socialization concern, let’s clarify what socialization truly means. It’s defined as “social interaction with others” and involves acquiring societal values, habits, and attitudes during childhood. Real socialization occurs when children engage with diverse individuals, not just peers of the same age who are learning together.
Given that my child has three siblings, she receives plenty of social interaction daily. I’m not apprehensive about her social development; school is just one of many places where children learn to socialize.
I’ve gathered some preschool-level books and supplies, committing to read with her every day. We’ll take walks and I’ll support her as she rides her bike or attempts to climb trees. If you think I sound overly optimistic, that’s fine. I’m dedicated to making her final preschool year one of joy and exploration—one we’ll cherish forever.
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In summary, my choice to homeschool my youngest child this year is driven by a desire to create meaningful experiences together, prioritize her unique learning needs, and foster her social development in diverse settings.