This year, my children are in first and third grade. It's made me realized just how quickly time does fly! It seems like only yesterday that my oldest was in preschool. That got me thinking — do I even know what my priorities are for my children's homeschool?
In the past, I let curriculum choices dictate our schedule and, in a sense, our priorities. This year, I sat down and made a list of priorities before finalizing curricula and schedules. Here's what I came up with. (And they are in no particular order!)
1. Love for Reading and Art
If nothing else, I hope my kiids leave their elementary years with a love fore reading and art.Being able to read well is one of the most important academic indicators. I hope my kids don't just read well, but also enjoy reading. The same goes for art. I don't expect them to be artists, but I do think art helps us to think creatively and to see the world in unique ways.
2. Know their Math and Grammar Facts Well
I think these two are pretty straight forward. Math facts are the basis for more advanced and abstract math our kids will encounter in middle school. And as for grammar — I don't expect my kids to have mastered grammar by the end of their elementary years. I would like them to have many of the rules of grammar memorized. Memorization is quick and easily done in the elementary years. Because of this, memorizing the basics of both grammar and math are a priority in our homeschool.
3. Learn Foreign Language and Music
That leads nicely into our next priority: foreign language and music. These are subjects that are so much more easitly absorbed in the elementary years. So while we do cover electives like science and social studies, we place foreign language and music equally, if not higher in the elementary years. My boys will both learn piano, French, and Latin during these years. They've also expressed interest in learning to play the ukulele and to speak Greek. If they are serious, I'm up for the challenge of making it happen!
4. Plenty of Play and Time in Nature
There are so many proven benefits when it comes to child development and free play — especially outdoor play! This one is actually a huge reason why we homeschool. I want to give my kids the gift of pretend play and time in nature.
5. Make Memories and Connection
This one might actually be number one on my list. I'm not sure anything can top connection and memories between parent and child. This is what will last a lifetime — long after math facts and Latin verb conjugations have been forgotten.
6. A Strong Knowledge of Faith
I love that i get to read and discuss the Bible with my kids every day in our homeschool. I love helping them memorize verses and their catechism. I love diving into Church history and reading biographies with them. Our faith is so important and too often left off the priorities list. Homeschooling has allowed us to keep this a priority for our children in our home.
7. Learning Life Skills
This one, I've neglected in past years. We are overdue for making it a priority. This includes things like cooking, sewing, and keeping a tidy home. This spring, it will also include gardening!
There you have it — our priorities for the 2024-2025 school year! I certainly dont expect these to be everyone's homeschool priorities. I'd love to hear some of yours! Are some the same? Different? Let me know!