Know This... & Know That

Dear Readers, 

As parents, we struggle. As home-school parents, we struggle with struggle. We have this idea of what we know and what we want our children to achieve. But are we covering all of it?​

As a former public school student myself, I can value what public schools provide. After all, I didn't turn out too bad. I can only assume that I knew what I needed to when I started Kindergarten, and likewise, as I was promoted from one grade level to the next. 

But I home-school my children. I am not a licensed teacher. My credentials came from hours of child birth. My resume includes job duties that would make most men crumble. My references are women just as strong myself; something akin to Wonder woman! But my knowledge of childhood development is only as vast as what I've experienced since I became a mother. 

Having said that, I began looking into what skills my Pre-K child should know before she advances into Kindergarten. I took this information and have decided to use it as a "foundation" for all of her lessons this year - her Pre-K year. 

While it certainly cannot contain each and every element I could ever hope for, it does include several that I certainly did not think of. Thankfully, someone had the clever idea of making a list! 

Now that I have my youngest on a set of goals, I wanted to work on my older children. Times are different than when I was their age. The golden age of technology was something that only existed in the movies when I was 10 and 11 years old. Now that it is literally 'everywhere', I've noticed a generation of laxity - one who expects things to be done for them, handed to them, and earned without work. Not in my home. 

I began looking up skills that preteens should know and was astounded at what all my children can do that they should, but I was absolutely perplexed at the things they should know and don't. Thanks to Family Education I was able to itemize a list of things my children are going to be learning as well as brushing up on what they already know. You can read more by visiting the Age-by-Age Life Skills Guide.

Spend a little time creating a few goals for children and celebrate when they've reached them!

Until next time, 
​LaVonda