The Triumphs and Tribulations of Homeschooling

My daughter, now four, is being schooled at home. At any rate, that is the intention. I am always baffled by one question, however: what or what all should a four year old know and how should I charter her progress before she enters first grade? Up until this point (and I doubt that it will change significantly in the near future), I have used a method of schooling that is directed by her. That is, she will tell me on any given day what she would like to learn on that particular day or what activities she would like to be engaged in. This works out quite well for the age-group that she falls into.

Nevertheless, I have always pondered over the question of why we don't want to send her to a regular school where she gets to interact with other kids her age, for example. And yet, when I really think about it, it is a very scary prospect, sending her to school. As parents, we have been told time and again that homeschooling has so many disadvantages and that we run the risk of socially isolating her or and so on. Somehow in my mind, the advantages seem to far outweigh the drawbacks. We live in a city in the south of peninsular India and that by itself is a significant deterrent to sending your kids anywhere. Pollution levels are abominably high for one, and traffic is crazy especially during rush hour, which invariably coincides with the school timings, for another.

Then there is also the issue of pressure to perform from a very young age. The Indian education system, (all due respect to it, it does have its strengths), emphasizes on competition a bit too much. Where then is the time for free play and discovery? Besides, I am a firm believer in the idea that there is no place like home for the child to develop a well rounded personality, self esteem, self confidence, independence and all. When I look at all this, I think her social life or the lack of it is no reason to send her to school. Friends can be found in other places too.