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Devotion Home School
Jun. 23, 2006
The Beginning
Here is where we begin the home school journey. My son Benjamin is four years old (he will be five in March), and will not make the traditional cut-off date required for entrance into his first grade studies. I could place him into an organized preschool and onto a regular kindergarden program, but for some reason I hesitate. It's not the desire to keep him a baby, or to shelter him from the world, it's just that I think there is something better suited to his needs that I must discover.
Recently we had Benjamin assessed for ADHD and he is considered high risk. I didn't desire to do this assessment through the school system, as I feel it's just too easy for children to be labelled without proper study. I located my own specialists, and had them do a study that I felt would not incur any bias. It appears that we are going to move further with the testing, moving from the behavioral therapist to trained medical professionals in this field of study. I didn't want some generic GP giving him a five minute once over and determining his needs in this marathon meeting. I most certainly did not want anyone playing pharmacy with my son. To be honest I am afraid of childhood medications for serious issues and would much rather find other methods of working with the issues at hand.
I must say that this diagnosis brings forward a new batch of questions regarding our decision to home school. How does home schooling impact ADHD? Is it beneficial or a hinderance to the child's development? Can I access the same resources for him that he would be provided with in a traditional school setting (ie the same types of helpful materials, specialists) that may be required to enhance his learning? How do you go about home schooling a child with ADHD? Are there home school specific materials to assist this process? Is there even any difference when you are home schooling? Right now these questions are swimming in my mind and I am hoping to have the answers shortly.
I am also wondering if there are materials available for pre-school children. I think it would be helpful for Benjamin if we could begin a schooling routine that would get him comfortable with learning time and that would give me some guideance as to his developmental needs at this stage.
Oh there is so much to consider, but it really is exciting! My first step was to name our home school as was suggested in many of the materials I read. I can see how it makes the whole thing more tangible for the child and the parent. You wouldn't think a name would make a difference, but somehow it does. You wouldn't think that home schooling vs. the traditional system would make a difference, but somehow it does.
Until Next Time,
Mum
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Jun. 23, 2006 - Welcome!