Baby mouse

Since we are homeschooling I think in terms of education each time Scout is learning something new. She is only 15 months old but she is learning everyday. Yesterday we ment a mom ( a doctor) who said she was interested in homeschooling. She was shocked when we said Scout was being homeschooled (shocked because of her age). I told her that our job at this point is to instill some critical qualities, creativity, independant play, a love of learning, curiosity and a vivid imagination. We think we are successful in fostering these since she aready posess each of them.

We definately are not a structured family, in fact we seem to thrive on "in the moment" type of living. Not wanting to miss out on a great adventure because of being forced into some sort of structure. Scout definately wants to follow this type of lifestyle. We move through our day following what needs to be done and what we find interesting along the way. As I think about what we accomplish it is very satisfying. We work independently for most of the day, projects in the yard need to be done. While we are working on that Scout is happy to explore the yard. Science is big. She plays with the animals, she loves to listen and then look for the birds, finding treasures on the ground, digging in her dirt pile (we have added water for her). We found this mouse a few days ago. It was orphaned (by use taking stuff to the dump) so it lives in the house now and we feed it goats milk (bought by Daddy at the health food store). It looks like its eyes are just starting to open this morning. Scout loves it and is so gentle, petting it with one finger.

Throughout the day we stop and play together, when she shows us a treasure, when we walk on the path in the woods, when she wants to climb, slide and swing on her playground. She will help with a project, handing us nail, carrying pieces of bricks we are piling, she loves to be helpful. It is a graceful dance between working independantly and then together throughout the day.

Math- she is fascinated by her nesting cups. She plays with them in the house every day. Learning how they fit together, taking them apart and getting them together again. She is also very interested in her blocks, stacking them, carrying the stacks and relocating them to other places.

Art- she is interested in coloring now, though not for long periods. We usually stop when she starts to taste he crayons!

Music- she loves her music class. We have a CD in the car of the same songs from class. She will use these songs for 10 weeks and then get a new collection. It is amazing how she loves this CD in the car. She is starting to repeat rhythms, clap her hands and pat her legs to the beat, and starting to sing some of the words. Even if you can't understand her words you can tell which song she is singing by her rhythm and tone. Speaking of music it is time to leave for class now. We have a special treat, Daddy has the day off so we are all going together! More later!