I previously shared here how we plan to start our Preschool Homeschool. 

I realized a lot of things from TLB's Workshop. I say "realized" because we weren't taught step-by-step on how to Homeschool, instead, we were enlighted as to how and why we chose or were about to choose to Homeschool our Preschoolers.

If you're thinking of homeschooling too, The Learning Basket holds a number of workshops per year, so that's a good start. Or you can just do it independently, on your own.

I'm sure you have a lot of questions. I did too when we we're just starting...

What is Homeschooling anyway?
Why do I need to Homeschool my child?
How do I start Homeschooling?

I cannot guarantee you that I can answer all your questions in one post, but I'll try my best...

What is Homeschooling?

Homeschooling is basically teaching your child at home. 

You can start as early as you can. You may not be aware, but you are already homeschooling your child... when you read books together, when you point out body parts, or when you listen to music. I'm sure our parents taught us at home too, since parents are our first teachers after all. It's just recently that the concept has been labelled as "Homeschooling". 

Why do I need to Homeschool my child?

There is no easier way to explain it but through this quote:

"You are your child's first and best teacher" -Mariel, The Learning Basket

I'm sure you've heard the saying that "a child's brain is like a sponge." And it's true! They pick up things easily, especially when mommy or daddy teaches them. Fostering a learning environment at home is a great way for a child to love Learning.

You don't have to have a strict schedule or have a list of lessons... Most of the time, I just play with my kids and try to incorporate lessons as we do or read aloud to them.

Another answer as to why you need to teach your child is because not all lessons are learned in school. Like how to properly brush their teeth or how to put on a button and tie their shoe laces... Yes, lessons aren't entirely about the ABCs and 123s. Also, instilling Good Values and Proper Manners come mainly from parents and not the teachers.

And finally, childhood is fleeting. Your child won't stay little for long. Cherish every moment you have while he is small :)

How do I start Homeschooling?

You can teach your child even when he is still a baby. I'm sure reading books and listening to music has been part of every parents' routine. 

And you can even learn through play...

Here are some simple things you can try at home with your child - at least this is how we started out too:

1. Read aloud to your child at least 20 minutes a day.
2. Play with Puzzles or Blocks.
3. Count everything! His toys, the buttons on his shirt, candies, rocks etc!
4. Sing along and dance to nursery rhymes.
5. Pretend Play. One day you're kings and queens ruling a castle, the next day you'll be swashbuckling pirates at sea!
6. Play with clay or have Cutting and Pasting activities. Toddlers need to strengthen their hands as practice before they learn how to hold a pen firmly.
7. Color and Paint. Even get messy sometimes with finger paint.
8. Draw. Hand a pencil and paper to a child and you'll be amazed!
9. Go outside and play! Yes, play! And then tell him about the world around him, from the blue sky, up to the green grass.
10. Make him do things by himself. Independence is an important lesson, because you can't do it for him forever!

For my 3-year old, we are following the Letter of the Week Curriculum. But I use it as a guide and improvise with lessons. My toddler likes arts and crafts more so we do those more often. I'm proud to say he has a firm grip with a pencil now and can even draw already. He can work with scissors too.

We dedicate at least 2-4 hours a day of learning activities spread throughout the day. Because even though we try to stick to a routine, it still depends on my 3-year old when he is "in the mood" to do activities. Sometimes, it depends on me too, because I am a Work at Home Mom.

I'll be sharing some of our weekly activities with you in another post :)

As for my 1-year old, we mostly do reading books and playing with blocks and puzzles. She also loves to dance when we listen to music. I'm happy to say that she also knows some baby sign language, aside from "Water" which she learned early on, she now knows "Please", "More", "Thanks You", "Pig", "Horse", "Duck". And she started talking too! Just the basic "Mama", "Dada", and "Papa" among others.

Here are some great Homeschool Resources (updated as of 11.17.15):

Kids Activities Blog - How to Homeschool Preschool and other Activities for Babies and Kids
Letter of the Week - 38 Week Curriculum
The Learning Basket - Books and Parenting Workshops
Teach with Joy - For ages 0-3 and For ages 2-4
Fun at Home with Kids - Crafts and Activities for Children
Fun2write - Printables and Work Sheets
In My World - Preschool Letter of the Week Activities
Preschool Mom - Printables and Work Sheets
Everyday I Learn Through Play - Activities for Infants and Toddlers
The Measured Mom - Tools for Teaching
Babbledabbledo - Engineering and Art for Kids
The Relaxed Homeschool - Homeschool tips and activities
Pre-K Pages - Inspiration for Early Education
Happy Hooligans - Crafts and Activities for toddlers and preschoolers
Montessori on Mars - Montessori techniques and activities
DIY Corporate Mom - Leave-behind play, After-work play and more, for the Working Mom
Teaching Mama - Learning through play activities and free printables
Fun handprint art blog - Arts and Crafts Free Printables
This Reading Mama - Free printables for reading and phonics
Toddler Approved - Crafts, Toddler Activities, and Free Printables
3 Dinosaurs - Free Printables, Gross Motor, Simple Crafts, and more
Itsy Bitsy Fun - Games, Crafts, and Printables
Easy Peasy and Fun - Activities for kids and free printables

Videos:
ABC Mouse - Phonics, Alphabet, and Stories for children
StoryBots - Educational Videos
Mother Goose Club - Nursery Rhymes and Children's Songs
Super Simple Songs - Children's Songs, Alphabet and Phonics and Educational Videos
Little Baby Bum - Children's Songs and Nursery Rhymes (cute graphics too!)
Kiboomu Kids Songs - Cute graphics, Children's Songs and Educational Videos
Evan's Nanay - Tagalog Videos (like Abakada, Magbilang Tayo, and Folk Stories)

How about you? I'd love to hear your homeschooling experience!

Cheers,

I could never get the hang of the saying: "Time flies!". In just less than a month, our baby girl will soon be turning a year old...

Already?

Yes.

Again, time flies! So quickly, that I'm afraid my children grow up too fast!

But right now I am simply happy to be here for them, spoil them with kisses and hugs, tickle them as they laugh out loud, play with them and simply have fun with them. I get to be a kid again when I am with my kids and I will cherish every moment.

Hailey was born November last year, when Janet Napoles was being held in court and when Typhoon Yolanda was about to come for our country. Yes, it was an unforgettable birth indeed.

Why name her Hailey? 

Well, originally the plan was to name our children an oriental/asian J name plus a biblical or religious name like our first born. But we liked the name Hailey so much that we decided not to follow the "plan". hehe. As in, we really liked that name, it just stuck to us, and had a B1-B2 moment (if you know what I mean). Her other name, Khaleesi, is from the show Game of Thrones. Yes, it's that show on HBO. We're fans, particularly Daenerys Targaryen fans :)

Now, our baby girl has been our little bundle of cheers and laughter. She always has a pretty smile ready. She has 2 teeth now but still a small lock of hair :D She knows how to clap, to give flying kisses, to bless (mano po), to close and open her cute baby hands. She can now stand but still afraid to take her first independent step. I hope she gains confidence before she turns One! Here's to high hopes :) 

photo source

Oh and just recently, she knew how to sign for water. We've been teaching her since she was a newborn, but it's a surprise she knew "water" before "milk", "more", "please", or "mommy".. which are the usual things babies learn to sign.

But instead of using 3 fingers like the letter W, she uses all of her fingers to sign, with sounds too, she says "wawa" for water. Yup, baby signing is cool!

I also took her pre-birthday photoshoot recently, since I am a frustrated photographer, hehe. Sharing with you some of our little Princess' shots :)

Don't grow up too fast, my little one!

Love, 

Mommy