This last year has shown me that homeschooling was absolutely the right choice for Samuel. While we continue a good relationship with local educators (Samuel receives speech therapy from them) we've resisted their claim that he needs to be better integrated with his peers by attending public schools.
I have come to understand two things. First, the school's goal would not be for Samuel to integrate into differing roles in society. Instead its goal would be for him to be able to do well in a homogeneous group of 20-30 kids -- a setting unlike what we find in the rest of life. Secondly, because of the slow pace of his potty training, he'd likely be in a "self-contained" classroom. In other words, he would have spent most of his day with other children who have difficulties with language and social skills. What a detriment that would have been, and the administrators advising me to do this never said a word about this setting!
The value of what I've been able to teach him during our days together will be a subject for another day ...
2 comments:
Stumbled across your blog by accident, but glad I did. All I can say right now whereas we are right in the midst of seeking our God's guidance concerning our child, though we know definitely home school is a for sure thing.
Your Samuel is special in a GOOD way. Yes, he is presented with some challenges other kids aren't, but there are many POSITIVE things about the differences, aren't there? I bet some come to mind right now. His very name says it all: Answered prayer or asked of from God.
So glad to hear from you! Yes, we gave Samuel his name because we prayed for him for many years. I'll be adding some new books to Mom's Bookshelf including one that explores your idea of positive differences. Please, let me know if there is anything I can do to support your decision regarding home schooling.
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