Let There be Play!

by Michele Thorne | More from this Blogger

13 Oct 2007 05:25 PM

I am on a lot of homeschooling lists. The question I hear most often is "I need ideas or curriculum suggestions for my 2 or 3 or 4 year old," or something to that effect. Another popular one is "I homeschooled my kids for preschool and kindergarten. Now that we started first grade, they are fighting all the way." This is usually followed by a quick explanation of the curriculum. They say for preschool and kindergarten it was mostly hands on and playing, now they are trying to "get serious." Children love to play. There is no doubt about that statement being true. Children are also like sponges. Not many people will argue that either. If "playing" is working, then why are you changing it and trying to "get serious?"

Children, no matter the age, learn from play. The age doesn't matter, the play just changes and evolves. For a preschooler it's play dough, large blocks, imagination; for a grade schooler it's science experiments, manipulatives, arts and crafts, chess, blocks; middle schoolers their interests really start to show; by high school they know what they like and are deeply involved in those activities. The things they enjoy start to take precedent. Is it all play? It may be to them, but I know that I want a job that I love and enjoy. I want a job that seems like it's all play.

One of the reasons many people homeschool, including myself, is personalization. We don't have to make our kids sit down at the table several hours a day doing worksheets and memorization. We can personalize it for each child. "If it's ain't broke, don't fix it" If you are using a curriculum that your children are enjoying and then it suddenly changes to something that they hate there is a problem, but not with the children. Look for a different curriculum that is similar to the original. If you can't find one, make one. It's not real hard and if it mean they are back to having fun and learning, isn't it worth it?

Learn more about Michele Thorne

Michele Thorne is an all purpose person. She is a full time single mom (her son's father is not involved in his life in any way, shape, or form) caring for her son Jonathan.

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