A couple of weeks ago, I got this e-mail from Jenny:
"If you ever have time in one of your posts someday, I would love to hear how you work educationally with your children at home. I send my kids to traditional preschool/ kindergarten programs, but I also work with them a lot in addition to what they do at school. I think preschool is great for socialization, but since I have always read and worked a lot with my children, it isn't as useful academically.
I'm currently working on what I'm going to do with my 3 year old over the next year, and I thought I wouldn't hurt to ask and see if you could do a posting on what you do to help get your children ready for school."
I wish I had a thoughtful, well-organized answer to this question. I am not self-disciplined enough to actually follow a schedule or a curriculum. I generally just look for opportunities to teach the children about things they are naturally curious about as opposed to systematically setting out to teach them things. In many ways, their life experiences and the subsequent questions that result are our curriculum.
Because of P's experience with Physical and Occupational Therapy, I do have an awareness of basic gross and fine motor skill milestones for preschoolers. I am intentional about giving them opportunities to work on their gross motor skills through gymnastics class, soccer, swimming and lots of outdoor play. I try to give them daily opportunities to work on fine motor skills primarily through writing and drawing. We experiment with Play-Doh, cutting, folding, gluing, baking, frosting, etc. I keep markers and construction paper within their reach. Additionally, I love the Kumon books (and the kids think they are a treat, rather than an educational experience).
The children have access to books constantly. They love to read and be read to. (Our sitter is currently reading them chapters of Stuart Little, which they adore!) We do allow videos and television, but only things that we have recorded for them and within pre-set limits (each child picks one show per day). I try to see that they have some redeeming educational value (Hi-5, Word World, Blue's Clues, Super Why), but there are a couple (Max & Ruby, Backyardigans) that we just watch because we like them.
I am not sure where this fits, but I do involve the children in chores. They make their own beds most days. The leader of the day helps feed and water the dog. I involve them in putting away dishes and occasionally in folding and putting away laundry. They also help set the table (when we actually eat at home). These 'life skills' aren't directly related to school, but they certainly seem to foster confidence.
So, there you go: my pitiful, unorganized non-answer! I could use input from you guys. I would love to hear from you in the comments. What are you doing to prepare your preschool aged children educationally for school?
Updated to add: I forgot to mention that I allow them to play on the computer a couple of times a week at www.starfall.com or on www.pbskids.com (Superwhy and Wordworld). Additionally, I often find little clips on youtube to show them things they ask about (seal barking, beaver building a dam, etc...) This goes without saying, but ALWAYS preview the youtube clips first!
8 comments:
I've been thinking about this a lot lately as we've opted to wait another year before enrolling our 3 1/2 year old in preschool. I've found a couple of websites to be very helpful. I particularly like hubbardscupboard.org and abcjesuslovesme.com. However, I'm not great at following a schedule right now. I'll do great for a couple of weeks and then not so great. I'm hoping this gets better as my children get older and I have more time to plan.
Thanks for sharing your tips. I think life experiences are every bit as important, if not more so, than what is taught in the classroom.
May I begin by saying "amen" to Sister fullheartandhands mama above?
I am many years away from worrying about children’s preschool education, but I am a retired educator and also, a social worker and I have observed a few things along the way. I loved what you are describing in today’s blog about the things you do with your little ones. The activities that you are describing with your children are so “right on” that I wish every young mother could know to do these things. (nothing formal, but all essential)
In my experience the absolute best single thing a parent can do to get their child ready for school is read to them and when you are finished, read some more, and start while they are still in the cradle. A normal child who is read to will have a wonderful foundation for learning reading and developiing listening skills, which are so important to learning. (I am so impressed that your children listen to chapter books! That is quite wonderful.)
Your trio are exposed to so many marvelous experiences that are expanding their learning all the time. I believe that the learning that takes place in the warm accepting environment of the family is most important.
I think formal schooling should begin with kindergarten. Children have such a short time in which they are wrapped totally in the arms of their families, the environment of home, and the complete influence of their parents. The freedom of childhood is so important. They have a lot of years that they will be in school.
Forgive me for being so free with my opinions. At 75 I take liberties I would not have taken ten years ago. I love children--they have been my life, and when I read your blog, I am so thrilled that there are mothers and dads like you, who take the responsibility of parenting, before God, so seriously. God will bless your efforts. I believe that in my heart. Keep writing--God has given you a ministry and a gift, with your open, honest sharing as you travel this sometimes difficult road called parenting!
I think what you are doing is great! They will have plenty of time when they get to school to do the traditional, structured school things like papers and centers.
Outdoor play, imaginary play, coloring, and working on motor skills using everyday activities are wonderful ways to fit learning into your daily activities. And its more fun!! I always felt that kids learn more from play and just life at this age.
I have taken a less-structured approach with my second child and see progress in different areas than I did with my oldest who I drilled with academics. It's all about balance and you seem to do a great job of giving your kids a great balance.
It may go without saying... but since my little man was teeny tiny I have talked to him about everything. From changing his diaper to pointing out birds in the sky, I one-sidedly discussed it all. Now that he is two, he discusses it all back with me. I am constantly amazed at the things that come out of his mouth- and I know he understood much of what I was saying long ago but couldn't verbalize it back to me. Now that he is talking, we discuss the number of birds on the fence and where we see circles and the letter M that's on that McDonald's sign. Just teachable moments.
As a former early elementary teacher I believe that reading aloud to children is so fundamental. There were many children I taught whom I suspect had never seen or handled a book when they entered Kindergarten. They were instantly behind all of the other children who had been read to since they were infants.
Another important thing that I do to get Caleb ready for school is to take him on everyday field trips (or turn a regular trip into a field trip) Discussing fruits and vegetables in the grocery store. Feeding the ducks at the lake. Watching the fire trucks leave the station. Just easy, cheap, fun stuff.
I do like the idea of preschool for little ones- I saw many in my Kindergarten/ First Grade classes who had not attended school prior to coming to my class- and they were often lost. Not for a lack of knowledge, but a lack of knowing how to relate to others and getting used to being part of such a big group (22 kids on average at my public school). For many of them, school was terrifying. From my own experience of being a mama, I love my two half days a week that I get to be by myself. And, my little boy asks to go to Mom's Morning Out on the days that he's off- he loves his "fwenz" and teachers. It's a welcome break for both of us.
We don't do anything! I used to feel very guilty about this, but in the pre-school years we just have fun and love on each other. Obviously, I read to my children and they have lots of books accessible and my kids have all gone to a pre-school with a curriculum, which I find very satisfactory. My 2 oldest were/are completely ready for kindergarten.
Believe me, they all catch up by about 3rd grade. I know this because I have a 7th grader. The children who seemed brilliant because they knew all of their letters when they were 2 are at basically the same level as the ones who did not even go to preschool.
Keep doing what you are doing! Find teachable moments and have fun with them. It won't be long before they are buried in homework and school activities every night and you feel like you never see them.
I agree with Leah. Compared to young moms today, I was not a very purposeful mother as far as "teaching." Reading was the one thing we stressed, from the cradle. I never limited the number of library books they could check out and we would read 12-15 books at one sitting. Other than that, I followed their lead as to when they were ready for a new skill. They expressed interest in writing, coloring, counting, etc. when they were ready and seemed to be right on target. Our son went to preschool and thrived. Our daughter went to an in-home daycare two days a week and thrived. Kids learn when they play. That is their school.
I think all the moms that have commented on here are doing great. And, of course, so are you.
I like the Brighter vision workbooks. They are a wonderful resource. They offer a hardback book, a craft and a workbook, each month. Mine love it, it also brings out many ways to teach small lessons based on the monthly theme. YOu can order a second set of the craft and workbook, if you have multiples.
I am a teacher of 4 year old boys in Memphis, TN. Here are a few additional sites I use that you might be interested in:
tvokids.com
sesamestreet.com
brainpopjunior.com
Enjoy!
Lauren
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