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I went off to a private, half-day kindergarten at four. There were 3 kids smaller than I in our house, and Mom didn't realize it was okay to keep me home; she figured that since I was reading, writing, and working math, perhaps I should try school.

I went to the first day, came home, sighed, and expressed relief that THAT was over.

She told me I had to go back the next day.

I was shocked.

Now, 25 years later, we've all learned a lot... my youngest brothers have schooled at home, we teach at home with our kids, and Mom says had she realized it was legal to school at home back then, she never would have sent her children "into the world" at all, preferring to keep us with her and explore the world together!

Government school simply cannot be expected to adapt to the individuality of our children. It is no surprise that these programs are moving toward younger and younger children: catch them when they're formative, and you stand a better chance of erasing that individuality, which makes them much easier to handle in large groups. No preschool would have met my need to read at three. No Jr. K program would have nurtured my daughter's desire to bake and cook REAL food at 3. No first grade classroom that I've seen would tolerate her desire to TALK about everything, and ask endless questions, and try new things.

By the by (proud Mom moment), she just wrote her first book. It's about flowers, called "The Lilexe" (say it phonetically, and you get it), and is officially "Rot.Bi.Elizzabeth" Even has a review section at the end. (And, I'm impressed... I couldn't spell our name until I was nearly 10. LOL)

Homeschooling is legal in the discussed state, too... liberate your kids from the government schools!

Regards,