DD1 is 4 years old and very ready for some structured schooling. I also have a 13 month old DD2. We all do best with a structured weekly routine. I'm trying to figure out when and how to plan to do schooling with her.
I'd like to work with her on: reading, writing, math, and a unit study with crafts, literature, etc. I have a unit study program (Peak with Books) and a kindergarden level math curriculum I think she's very ready for. I'm in no rush to complete either of these on a set schedule, but I'd like to be working on both. I live in an area where most 4 year olds are in preK 5 days a week, and are generally doing lots of academic time there. Although home schooling is our plan, I'd like to keep DD1 more or less "on grade level" in the event our plans change. She and I are very similar strong willed social leos, and at some point I may decide sending her to school would be best for all of us. I think she's interested and capable of learning all of this, but I do want to balance schooling with LOTS of play time.
Because DD1 is so very very social, and craves lots of time with other kids, she's in several activities. Also, we all do best if we get out of the house and with other people for a little bit every day. I'm a bit worried about it being too many classes this fall, and if it plays out as too much, I'll pull her out of one, but really, I think it'll be good for her.
Each day the girls wake up at about 9am. DH gets home at 7pm and we do a family dinner followed by bedtime. DD1 goes to sleep at about 9:30 or so. I know it's a night owl schedule, but it works quite well for all of us. She does not typically nap, though she's gone back and forth on this some. I'd ideally like about an hour of rest time a day. On more full days, she may come home and actually sleep for an hour or more.
Here's our weekly routine:
Monday - FREE
Tuesday - 10:30 - 12:15 kindermusik classes (2 girls, back to back)
Lunch at a pizza buffet
1:30 - 3ish Story time followed by library exploring
(I know, it's a very full day, but we really love our Tuesdays.
I'd keep this day free of formal schooling)
Wednesday - 10:15 - 11:00 Dance class
11 - 2 or so Play group - free play and picnic lunch at a park or
the like with friends, assuming the group really makes this year.
Thursday - 10:15-11 Gymnastics
Friday - Home school park day (10 am for now, switching to noon for cooler weather)
Saturday - unscheduled family day
Sunday - Church at 10:00-noonish (DD1 is in a class during service, then free play and visiting in the church yard for close to an hour)
So, should I do say reading and unit study Mondays, unit study Wednesdays (if time allows), writing and unit study Thursdays, and math and unit study Fridays? Or should I plan to do a set amount of time of each activity each day? Should I plan to do all of her schooling in a block (2 hours absolute max) in the afternoons? Or a few 20-30 minute chunks a day? With breaks for her free play and my house work? Or would that just drag on and feel like we did school work all afternoon?
I do need to set aside time for me to do housework as well. I'm doing Fly Lady and really happy with it. Sometimes DD1 likes to do this with me. Other times she prefers free play or resting. I expect DD2 to take one 3ish hour nap in the afternoon, likely going down around 2ish.
I'd like to work with her on: reading, writing, math, and a unit study with crafts, literature, etc. I have a unit study program (Peak with Books) and a kindergarden level math curriculum I think she's very ready for. I'm in no rush to complete either of these on a set schedule, but I'd like to be working on both. I live in an area where most 4 year olds are in preK 5 days a week, and are generally doing lots of academic time there. Although home schooling is our plan, I'd like to keep DD1 more or less "on grade level" in the event our plans change. She and I are very similar strong willed social leos, and at some point I may decide sending her to school would be best for all of us. I think she's interested and capable of learning all of this, but I do want to balance schooling with LOTS of play time.
Because DD1 is so very very social, and craves lots of time with other kids, she's in several activities. Also, we all do best if we get out of the house and with other people for a little bit every day. I'm a bit worried about it being too many classes this fall, and if it plays out as too much, I'll pull her out of one, but really, I think it'll be good for her.
Each day the girls wake up at about 9am. DH gets home at 7pm and we do a family dinner followed by bedtime. DD1 goes to sleep at about 9:30 or so. I know it's a night owl schedule, but it works quite well for all of us. She does not typically nap, though she's gone back and forth on this some. I'd ideally like about an hour of rest time a day. On more full days, she may come home and actually sleep for an hour or more.
Here's our weekly routine:
Monday - FREE
Tuesday - 10:30 - 12:15 kindermusik classes (2 girls, back to back)
Lunch at a pizza buffet
1:30 - 3ish Story time followed by library exploring
(I know, it's a very full day, but we really love our Tuesdays.
I'd keep this day free of formal schooling)
Wednesday - 10:15 - 11:00 Dance class
11 - 2 or so Play group - free play and picnic lunch at a park or
the like with friends, assuming the group really makes this year.
Thursday - 10:15-11 Gymnastics
Friday - Home school park day (10 am for now, switching to noon for cooler weather)
Saturday - unscheduled family day
Sunday - Church at 10:00-noonish (DD1 is in a class during service, then free play and visiting in the church yard for close to an hour)
So, should I do say reading and unit study Mondays, unit study Wednesdays (if time allows), writing and unit study Thursdays, and math and unit study Fridays? Or should I plan to do a set amount of time of each activity each day? Should I plan to do all of her schooling in a block (2 hours absolute max) in the afternoons? Or a few 20-30 minute chunks a day? With breaks for her free play and my house work? Or would that just drag on and feel like we did school work all afternoon?
I do need to set aside time for me to do housework as well. I'm doing Fly Lady and really happy with it. Sometimes DD1 likes to do this with me. Other times she prefers free play or resting. I expect DD2 to take one 3ish hour nap in the afternoon, likely going down around 2ish.
