Question for homeschooling moms or preschool teachers

purple_magada

purple_magada

Cathlete
I know that we have a few homeschooling moms on our board and I was wondering if you could help me out? Currently my 4 year-old goes to all day daycare which includes preschool. While I'm on maternity leave, he will be home with me for 5 months. I will not be sending him to preschool at all. I was wondering what type of curriculum you use for your preschool aged children? How many hours per day do you spend for instructional time? What types of activities do you do, etc? I just do not want him to be bored at home and also do not want him to regress by not having the structure that pre-school provides.

Thanks in advance. :)
 
I am a nursery school teacher, and I believe that children under 5 learn best from playing, singing, and imagining. We don't teach our children to read or letter recognition or anything. We do this intentionally because we feel the period in children's lives for that imaginitive life is very short and they can never get it back once it's over. I would suggest limiting screen time as much as possible (television and computers.) Make some connections so your child can have some playdates. Have paints available (art supplies,)dress ups and toys that can be used for imaginitive play. Bake with him and when he's bored don't entertain him! Let him find something to play! The best games come from those times. Let him help you with your projects, 4 year olds are the best laundry folders. (And they take great pride in it.) If you have outside play space, that is wonderful. If not go to the park. Most of all know that everything he needs you can provide him, and it's a wonderful opportunity that many parents don't get, because they have to go to work. So, enjoy each other and give your family a rich wonderful home life. Oh, and give yourself a break when you need it. Being a mother is a very, very hard thing to do(as many can attest). I always tell parents part of having children is surviving it! As a couple, as an individual, and as a family.
Heather
 
What a fantastic post! I was gonna say put him in front of the TV with a Coke and a bag of chips, but that just sorta pales in comparison;)
 
Thanks so much for this reply! My daughter will be 4 in a couple of weeks and I have no intention of putting her in preschool. I get lots of weird looks and comments like "Children who go to preschool are more successful than those that don't." I work part time and she goes to day care for 1/2 day two times a week where she has a wonderful time playing. The rest of the time she's with me. She's learning all the time, always asking me questions. My husband's weekends are Fri thru Sun. I work all day on Fridays and he spends that time playing with and taking care of her. I'm so happy to see a teacher say that this time with her family is what matters most.:) :) :7 :D
 
RE: Question for homeschooling moms or preschool teache...

I am homeschooling my 4 yr old right now! I sent my 2 oldest to a prek at a church from 9 - 2 , but the price has gone up!! We have prek in the public school, but there was no way I was putting my baby on the bus at 6:20 and not getting her back til 4:15.

I am christian and researched products at christianbook.com. I am using "Learning at Home" and "Five in a Row". I LOVE Five in a row and am going to continue using it when she starts school. This one is not overtly religious if that is a problem. You read the same book every day for 5 days and discuss a different aspect of it every day.

For example, we read "Madeline". One day we discussed appendixes and I had a children's anatomy book we looked at. On another day we found France on the globe and learned about the Eiffel tower, we practiced counting to 12 with pennies and "made 2 straight lines" with them. I got a book with pictures of buildings in Paris and we matched them up to the illustrations in the book. Lastly, we discussed (and read other books on) good health habits. Oh yeah, we cooked chicken cordon bleu and had frozen eclairs. This week we were in China and made fried rice and almond float. I get all the books at the library.

In between these 2 books we do flash cards and a calendar I got at the website. She also has a dry erase book to practice writing her numbers and letters. Then we go out and play for awhile. It takes about 2 hours. She loves it!

Good luck!
Marnie:)
 
RE: Question for homeschooling moms or preschool teache...

Oh yeah, I forgot...Five in a Row has an extensive website and forum. I haven't spent much time there because I'm always over here.;-) You can also find nice workbooks at Sam's for a good price. Marnie (who is not pushing her daughter, although it kind of sounds like it from my post....)
 
RE: Question for homeschooling moms or preschool teache...

Marnie, thanks for sharing your experience with FIAR. I've been reading about it, and it is on my wishlist. I am homeschooling my 5 y/o and have read good things.

I will add this ASAP.
 
RE: Question for homeschooling moms or preschool teache...

Autumn,
I really would like to get the holiday book, too. They also have a cookbook that corresponds with the lessons. That looks interesting , too, but is pretty $! I have been getting recipies off the net. But, I think I will take the plunge on the holiday one. Marnie
 
RE: Question for homeschooling moms or preschool teache...

My sis and her DH have decided to homeschool their 5 and 7 year olds. She is excited but so nervous! I told her that the first few months might be a little confusing for all three of them but that eventually they will settle in. I think it's a great idea and am so glad they are doing it!

Sparrow



________________
www.scifichics.com
 
RE: Question for homeschooling moms or preschool teache...

Thanks for your help ladies. I'll have to check out the website Marnie mentioned. :)
 
RE: Question for homeschooling moms or preschool teache...

Hi Dana--I've been homeschooling for 6 years now and really have never followed a preschool curriculum. A lot of the things kids learn in preschool are the same things they learn at home by just living alongside involved parents.

Our 3rd child wanted to do "school" at a preschool age because her older siblings were. I found inexpensive workbooks to do with her. We also did lots of alphabet puzzles and counting and sorting games.

If I did use a preschool curriculum, Five in a Row, discussed above sounds like a lot of fun and who knows? maybe I'll use it with one of the younger ones. Sonlight (www.sonlight.com) also has some preschool stuff that looks really educational and fun without being overly formal.

Enjoy teaching your son. I've found it to be one of the most satisfying experiences of my life.

Edited to add--Read, read, read aloud to your son. I think this is one of the most beneficial activities to do with children that there is. There are also lots of good books on tape (or CD as well)

Maggie
 
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