I started homeschooling my 3.5-year-old boy in the middle of September, and really appreciate materials (books, apps etc) that relate to homeschooling topics. So here goes my review for the The ABC's of Homeschooling book...
Firstly, I love guide books like this! It explains to you from A to Z what you need to know if you are contemplating a journey into homeschooling. I would have to say this book helped me understand more of what I am doing and cemented our decision about this life-changing choice.
I received this book a few hours before we left for our short weekend family trip up north and I decided to bring it along so I could read it in the car when our kids nap (and yes, they did for two hours!) The book is not too thick and just at the right size to be easily carried around. (I slotted it into my diaper bag during my family trip.)
When I read about Laura's experience and methods in using TV and other children's bad behaviour to teach her children about the importance of good behaviour, I can't help but to agree completely, as I use the same methods.
For example, sometimes I need my mother-in-law to watch my kids for a while when I need to rush some accounting and invoicing for my hubby and if it is night time, she will definitely be watching TV in the living room. When I see them watching fight scenes (like a policeman fighting with robbers), I will explain to my boy that he must not get into fights like these people, and I will also explain the consequences of doing bad things, which lead to police catching and putting the bad guys into prison.
Of course, some of you might think too much TV is no good for children. Yes, everything in moderation. I have cut down TV and iPad time for Ben (currently TV only during mealtimes and after 6pm, sometimes no TV during daytime too).
It doesn't mean that everything is bad, we as parents must know how to make use of the opportunity to teach our child. There are times I even use scenes from TV shows to remind my boy not to misbehave or to maintain his cool and I can clearly see him thinking back (mind running hyper speed, no doubt!) before he nods his head in agreement and understanding.
I also appreciated the brief history on how schooling came about. I felt it supported our decision to homeschool.
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