I can’t count how many times I’ve been asked about my child’s preschool. When I share that I’m choosing to homeschool my nearly five-year-old, I often receive surprised looks. As a mother of four, I’ve navigated homeschooling at different points in my parenting journey. The most common question I face is, “But what about socialization?”
Each time we opted for homeschooling, the reasons varied. I once withdrew a child from public school after struggling for two years to get her the support she needed for her learning disability. Another child stayed home to better align with our family’s schedule. This year, I’m opting to homeschool my youngest simply because I want to.
My child will be heading to kindergarten next fall and will be one of the oldest in her class, missing the birthday cutoff by just a few weeks. I celebrate this; in my thirteen years of parenting, I’ve learned that being the older child in a class often means greater maturity and preparedness for school, both academically and socially.
The thought of sending her to preschool during a pandemic makes me uneasy. I’ve seen the photos, and they look quite grim. (No offense to the amazing teachers who are doing their best.) I don’t want her to be distanced from her classmates, wear a mask, or face constant quarantines due to COVID-19, especially with the Delta variant. While I support COVID precautions, I want her to enjoy an ideal preschool experience. At home, she can have plenty of playtime without a mask, and we can limit her exposure to the virus.
This past year has been challenging for our family. I faced my second battle with breast cancer. Before my re-diagnosis and the pandemic surge, I envisioned a year filled with outdoor play, errands, and learning pre-kindergarten skills like writing letters and cutting with scissors at her own pace. However, my older kids were remote-learning on and off, and I was often at cancer treatments. It was draining, and I felt robbed of precious time due to cancer and the pandemic.
This year, I want to focus on my youngest. With three older siblings, she’s never had one-on-one time with me. I have a year before she starts kindergarten, and I’m determined to make it special.
From my experience teaching college writing and homeschooling my other children, I know that learning occurs in many forms. Preschool isn’t solely about numbers and letters; it’s also about physical health, mental well-being, and fostering creativity and curiosity. I want to offer her varied opportunities for skill development beyond just academics.
Additionally, since she is our youngest, we don’t plan to expand our family further. So yes, this decision does involve my own desires as a parent. I’m making this choice to strengthen our bond, but I am also confident in my ability to homeschool her. I’m not worried she will miss out on anything by not attending traditional preschool.
Soon enough, she will board a big yellow bus with a backpack that’s too big for her, filled with a folder and lunchbox, and head off to kindergarten. I’ll be teary-eyed and anxious, like many other parents, but until then, we will cherish our time together. Homeschooling allows us to move at our own pace, free from external schedules.
Understanding Socialization
Regarding the socialization concerns, let’s clarify what socialization truly means. According to the dictionary, it refers to “social interaction with others,” beginning in childhood as individuals learn the values and attitudes of society. Socialization isn’t limited to playing with peers of the same age who are equally inexperienced in the world.
In fact, genuine socialization occurs when children interact with diverse individuals across various ages, abilities, and backgrounds. With three siblings, my daughter has ample opportunities for social engagement every day. School is not the only place where children can learn social skills.
I’ve ordered preschool-level books and supplies, planning to read to her daily. We will enjoy walks outside, and I’ll cheer her on as she rides her bike or attempts to climb trees. If you think I sound like a free spirit, I embrace it! My goal is to ensure that her last preschool year is filled with joy and freedom—creating memories we will cherish.
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Additional Resources
- How to choose the right homeschooling methods?
- Benefits of homeschooling for preschoolers
- Creative activities for preschool-aged children
- Socialization strategies for homeschooled kids
- Preparing for kindergarten from home
In summary, the choice to homeschool my child this year stems from various personal experiences and a desire to foster a nurturing environment. I believe we can create meaningful learning experiences outside of traditional preschool settings.
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