KM> Hello I am new to this echo...I just picked it up yesterday on my bbs
Welcome to the homeschool echo!
KM> to start the decision process over private schools or homeschooling. I 
have
KM> been reading many books in the library and have found homeschooling to be 
a
KM> wonderful experience for the people referred to in the books...But I 
can't 
KM> help being a little apprehensive about it too..I live in Ohio and am 
wonder
KM> if there is anyone who might know what the laws are here concerning 
KM> homeschholing. And did any of the parents feel a little apprehensive 
starti
KM> out? I am concerned that I might not be considered educated enough to 
prope
KM> train my children. I want to make sure to give them all the benefits this 
KM> world has to offer. 
In my opinion, your child already has the greatest benefit he could 
ossess...
which is a mother who cares.  
KM> My oldest
KM> is only 2 and I have been told he needs to start preschool next year. SO 

KM> not sure if I am worrying to soon and should just decide closer to 1st 
KM> grade
You have been told your son /needs/ to start preschool at the age of 
hree????
Who says this??  I have been a preschool teacher and have an AA degree in 
Early Childhood Education, but I do /not/ believe that preschool is necessary 
for children when they have a mother at home who loves to take care of them.  
Last year and the year before the principal at my local elementary school was 
trying to tell me I should place my son in their preschool program.. but I 
took a look at it and was depressed at the thought...  and I don't think it
is at all necessary to institutionalize children at that age...  or at any
age, really.. if there's a parent willing to homeschool.
And as far as you feeling apprehensive due to your own educational level -- 
don't worry about it.  From what you wrote it is obvious that you know enough 
to teach your children.  You may be able to get help from your school 
istrict
too if they are supportive of homeschool like mine is.
It is good that you are starting to think about this early.  You can start 
homeschooling /now/ and by the time your child is kindergarten age you will 
have convinced yourself that you /are/ capable of teaching him, if that is 
what you choose to continue doing.  I homeschooled my children through their 
preschool years... taught Cimeron to read before kindergarten... Aaron wasn't 
interested in learning to read, but he always loved to study animals and 
trains and other transportation devices.   Every child is different.  If 
your child is one who doesn't want to learn to read early on, it is not that 
you are a bad teacher... but only that the child wasn't ready for it.  Some 
children aren't ready to actually read for several years after most kids do 
it.  Let your child show you what he wants to learn, and you can show him how 
to find more information on what he is interested in.  Take him lots of 
places, so much as you are able.  Let life teach him.  Have fun. :)
Zaynab
--- Renegade v10-05 Exp
---------------