educational resources for home-schooling
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educational resources for home-schooling

Many parents across the country are making the choice to home-school their children. Today, there are many online resources that can be used to complete a child's education from home easily, but there are times that further information is needed or desired. So, where do you go to get the educational resources an supplies that you need for your kids? My site will provide you with the tips and advice that can help you find more than enough supplies to home-school your children. You can use my personal experience of digging through website after website to find the best resources to more easily find the things you need for your family.

educational resources for home-schooling

Do Online Preschool Programs Really Work?

Sean Fields

Options abound for preschool-aged children to get some education before they start kindergarten. There are half-day programs, full-day programs, programs that emphasize particular skills and faith-based programs. It can be hard to know what will be best for your child.

But now, some parents are participating in online programs with their preschool kids, either as a replacement for traditional preschool or as a supplement to the time their children spend in the classroom. What advantages and disadvantages do online preschool courses have?

The Benefits of Learning Online

1. Repetition is emphasized.

Learning is easier for most kids when they hear a concept presented over and over again in different ways. Online preschool lessons are great at planting introductory concepts in a child's mind and building a strong foundation of information for learning in later grades.

2. Access can be done from anywhere.

Kids can log into their preschool from any location, so if your family is planning to move or travel, or caregivers change from one week to the next as with many divorced families, the online option can be convenient.

3. Costs are lower.

Traditional preschool can be expensive. According to the National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies, costs can vary from $372 to $1,100 a month, depending on what amount of care is needed. And while many families can find less expensive and subsidized options in their communities, not all can.

More families can afford the academic lessons of preschool with an online curriculum.

The Downside to Online Preschool

1. Lack of socialization.

The preschool years are a great time for kids to start learning how to interact with each other. In an online program, only educational skills are emphasized, not social skills. Parents will have to look to other, local activities for opportunities to meet other children and play with them.

Some psychologists and early childhood experts say that online learning doesn't give the same benefits as regular preschool simply because the socialization aspect is more crucial than academic learning at this age.

2. Screen time.

The American Academy of Pediatricians recommends that children under 2 have no computer screen time and that screen time for older children should be no more than one to two hours per day. Online preschool, by definition, requires that your child spend time in front of a computer monitor or a tablet to learn. There's not enough research yet to determine whether screen learning is better or worse than traditional classroom learning and how it might affect your child's developing brain.

3. Your child may not need it.

One study shows that children who did not go to a Head Start program for preschool catch up to those who did in the mid-elementary school years.

You should carefully consider your child's needs and the options available in your area to decide which preschool programs are right for your family. Whether you are considering a traditional or an online program, you should be able to get a trial or sit in on lessons to get a better feel for whether it will be a good match for your child's development needs. For more information, talk to companies like the Family Ties Child Center.


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