lbnuke

dssayers, thank you for pointing out some things that I may be alluding to in my post. I do have some questions. Do you have any research/information that you can share regarding the "permanent damage" caused to a child's immune system in preschool? I have not heard/read/seen any of this informaiton and am certainly interested in learning. Also, I think it's important to define curriculum, beacuse inflicting on my child is not the intention, neither was it in my purpose. I think there is at least some regimented practice needed to learn numbers, letters, words, etc. This doesn't have to be inflicted or enforced, but rather providing the tools and outlet for learning the basics of language, numbers, etc. For example, providing a book or iPad/tablet app that teaches tracing of letters and numbers, ultimately leading to forming words would be something to consider in the "curriculum". Children, and people in general, do not learn best when topics are inflicted upon them. Lastly, in response, I do not think that I am "correct" in pursuing a job for my rational self interest. The interests of my son are included in my own self interest because I chose the obligation to care for him and I have a responsibility to provide the framework for his growth as a human being: food, clothing, shelter, room for growth, etc. The solution that I'm presenting is the beginning of an idea that is a potential solution for working parents. My wife and I are at odds with how we are going to educate our son, and any future children and I'm looking for a means that can satisfy both of us. If you could send me some research about the preschool immune system effects, I'd certainly read it. I really like the model that Stef has setup to work while at home with Izzy. I would like to do so myself and work as an independent consultant/freelancer to pay the bills. This requires the cooperation of the entire family unit, and like I said, my wife and I are at ends about the solutions for our son's future. I really appreciate the feedback. Thank you.

Hi everyone. I'm hoping to get some feedback and thoughts on an idea that I have for educating my son and potentially some other children of like minded individuals, at least from an education perspective like minded. I think this idea can work well if the group is on the same page in terms of how to run things. At this point, I'm really looking to engage in a discussion to hear others' ideas. This is a controversial topic, I have found, when I discuss it with people face to face. I get the knee jerk reactions of this won't work, they need to be in school, "how will they be socialize" (love that one), etc. Honest feedback from intelligent, open-minded, perhaps experienced individuals is what I'm looking for. As a side note, I was extremely impressed with the recent Freedomain call in show where Izzy helped host with Stef. She held her own and exhibited a true curiosity about each of the callers that I myself have difficulties with at times. She exhibited characteristics that I admire and would like my son to learn as well. I am an entrepreneur who runs a home business. My motivations for doing so is for freedom of what to do with my professional time and flexibility with my time to be able to spend time with my son, who is 4 years old, but currently attends a private preschool. The idea that I have, that is only in the infancy at this point, but I think certainly worth discussing is to join a group of families where a single parent, or both parents, can take a day off of work a week to provide educational experiences for the group of children. For example, I would take Mondays to provide opportunities for my son, and the children of two of three other families. This can come in the form of home based learnings, field trips, nature walks, reading, writing times etc. Anything. I typically subscribe to an unschooling method, but want to have at least some formal curriculum for learning the basics of mathematics, letters, numbers, reading. Here are some of the advantages that I can identify: 1) the children can receive personal, intimate connection with other children, not necessarily of their own age group, in a small group where they have the supervision of an adult to help in dispute resolution, an adult that has the time to aid in that development. 2) open sourced learning for the children involved in a curriculum that the children help create. 3) children can focus on activities that bring them inspiration and encourage their creativity, both their own and to participate in activities that encourage that type of learning from another's perspective 4) personal attention to my child, rather than the group attention of a school setting. Here are some of the disadvantages that I can identify: A) the children may be in a group with children they don't like, or the parents don't like, therefore creating the need for the parents to fill the gaps if that child is no longer participating in the program. B) my child would inevitably receive the best of my attention during my days, and similar for the days that other parents have the group. I.e. each parent will typically cater towards their child's needs and wants first, then to the other children. C) if a member of the group moves or decides to quit the program, how is that spot filled? Filling an open spot for something like this, I would imaging, could be difficult. D) I occasionally have to travel for work. How can the group adapt to this type of situation? E) How can the group handle family vacations? I greatly appreciate any feedback that anyone has, and would be even interested in a Skype or Google video/audio chat to discuss further. Thank you, ahead of time, for responses and reading.