As a child progresses through their education, active parental involvement is SO crucial. Elementary education serves as a foundational stage leading to more the advanced learning in junior high. In this Elementary section, I’ll share the practices I engaged in with my daughters as they navigated their early years, even though they were attending traditional school.
Despite sending my girls to elementary school, I dedicated a quite a bit of time volunteering during those years. The quality of education they received was often dependent on their teacher. However, given the challenges teachers face with multiple students and limited time, individual learning needs were not always adequately addressed. Recognizing the limitations of the public school system, I invested extra effort in working with my girls to ensure their success.
Reflecting on personal experiences, we encountered both remarkable and disappointing elementary teachers. It seemed like a cyclic pattern, alternating between positive and negative experiences each year. Some years were more crazy that others for sure! During the less favorable years, I found myself dedicating more time to supplementary learning at home, regardless of the challenges we faced. As parents, we were committed to providing additional educational support for our children.
Learning wasn’t confined to the school year’s end during these crucial early stages. Each summer, we established fun learning times. We obtained some summer workbooks and made frequent library visits. Additionally, the girls participated in summer programs and enjoyed ample fun with friends and neighbors.
In thinking back, little had I known that I found myself adopting a homeschooling approach with my daughters. Even though they attended traditional school, our commitment to extending their learning beyond the classroom was a testament to the value we placed on their education.