6 Months to Go

Katerina is 4 1/2 years old now, so the official start of her homeschooling is less than 9 months away.

Academically, we're very glad of our decision to home school. Katerina can already count to 100, count by 2's and by 3's, and do basic addition and subtraction up to the number 12. We found out how well her reading was coming along when I was looking through the television on-screen schedule one day, and she suddenly said "Let's watch 'Word World'!" - Sure enough, she had correctly read the TV listing at that time, and then she suddenly seemed to be able to read the title of every other show as well. I wonder how long she was able to read those titles before she let on that she could... Now Katerina uses the TV by herself and programs her own shows to watch. Books are another thing she loves - She's as much of a bookworm as I ever was.

One Year to Go

Katerina just turned 4 years old, so next year she officially starts home schooling.

We've told Katerina's grandparents of our decision to home school. My parents weren't overly thrilled, but they were surprisingly supportive - (I had expected a big battle there...) My wife's parents thought it was a great decision, so long as she keeps getting to socialize as much as she has been.

Katerina is still progressing very well for her age in most intellectual areas. She has no trouble adding numbers when the total is 10 or less, and is just starting to figure out subtraction. Her reading skills are really beginning to show as she spontaneously reads out words she sees on signs or on TV.

One of her favorite toys/games right now is the "Littlest Petshop" pets. Her imagination is so active - She plays for an hour or more at a time, and gives a running narration of what the pets are doing and saying to each other.