Home school or Public???

[KMJ7988]

My daughter is two and I know it is kind of early to be thinking about it but I am wondering wether I should home school or send her to a public school. I know how rotten some kids can be these days and with my daughter having a disability I am afraid that she will be tormented. I know I should not shelter her, or any of my children for that matter, but should I really risk her going from an intellegent, sensitive, polite little girl to a scared, quiet, and embarrassed one????  I do believe that she needs the social aspect of the public schools, but when I have toured the surrounding schools I sometimes cannot believe what I see/hear coming from these 4 year old kids! Any suggestions????????

[Owen'nZoe]

I really don't know where you are in WI, but we've had wonderful experiences with the public schools in our area (outside of Madison). Some kids are a little rough, but most are very sweet, and the teachers put a lot of effort into promoting a respectful, kind environment. In my experience, bullying of any sort is nipped in the bud. My child is not special needs, but is very sensitive and has thrived in public school.

[Crystal Brock]

I believe that some children do wonderful in public schools. I have 2 daughters who are still enrolled in public school and are doing very well. I think you should base your decisions on the individual needs of your child. After a year of consideration, a long year I have decided to home school my 9 year old ADHD son. He is extremely intelligent but the attention needed to complete tasks in a crowded classroom is not there. They can not stand over one child and constantly badger to do work, I understand. I think you should base your decisions on the individual needs of your child.

[FlyingGoddess]

It depends on what you want for your child.

For example, I want my children to have plenty of free-time, privacy, opportunities to decide how to use their time, and as much movement as they desire--to name just a few things.

I recommend reading John Holt. How Children Fail is my personal favorite.  Also Your Competent Child by Jesper Juul, Magical Child by Joseph Chilton Pearce, and The Continuum Concept by Jean Liedloff...to name a few.

Also, go to some homeschooling social groups in the area, to visit and talk to other parents.