James and I recently attended the OCHEC convention in downtown OKC. It was a great get-away for us. Mom kept the boys, and we stayed the night at the Marriot in Bricktown next to the Ford Center. Had a wonderful time! OCHEC is Oklahoma Christian Home Educators Consociation. As first timers, we were able to attend for free. We don't agree 100% with everything that many OCHEC members believe (ex. original sin doctrine) but thankfully nothing like that was thrown out there while at the convention. General Christian values were discussed in the workshops, so it was a safe, great environment to learn more about homeschooling. There was a great big exhibit hall full of curriculum to browse. James and I decided we will probably want to attend again next year. The speakers were really great. Overall it was a very uplifting experience, and I learned alot!
I learned so many things that it there are too many to name, but I'll hit some of the highlights or the things that really stuck with me.
*Homeschooling is not easy, but so worth it and so rewarding.
*Don't stress about the PASS skills or what the govt says your kid should be learning at a certain age. Every child is different. The joy of homeschooling allows flexibility and time for children to develop their interest in learning certain skills/topics.
*Preschool in the home should be all about learning through exploration and play.
*Focus on the 5 senses with doing activities with your preschooler!
*Children's eye muscles are not fully developed until 6-8 years of age. Don't force early reading!
*Many gross and fine motor skills must be developed before reading.
*A typical homeschool day for the preschooler might include: running & kicking a ball, observation games, gardening, puzzles, nesting toys, self-directed play, board games, read alouds, learning manners, setting the table, cooking with mom, etc.
*Enjoy your child. Spend time with them in play. It goes so fast.
*Just because your child can recite his ABC's and their sounds early, doesn't mean he is "smart" or destined to be an achiever.
*So most important of all: Break out of the box of the current educational trends. PLAY- not early formal education - is the best education for a child, and it is the best foundation for future learning!
So with that in mind. We've been doing alot of playing around our house. The boys and I have been building trails in our backyard woods. (pics to come of that!)
We've been playing and using our imagination with pattern blocks.
We've been stacking and sorting!
We've been having fun with play-dough!
We've been having a blast outdoors!
Playing in the rain!
And drinking rain water?!
