Um Ibrahim: I see your point – I gave homeschooling a try last year so will have to try school out (if not just to appease the Well Meaning Family). I will make a decision after a few months inshaAllah or I might just wait till the end of this year.

b.: Yep, you made complete sense. I’m getting a little frustrated with the Conversations Concerning How to Sit in the Chair and Eat With Manners. As for learning routines – a lot depends on the child. 5 year old worked well early in the morning straight after breakfast – we’d do set out activities (worksheets, painting, cutting etc) then he was left to play for the rest of the morning. You’ll be surprised what they learn from just playing.