Preschool at Home

HOMESCHOOLING PRESCHOOLERS: RELAX AND HAVE FUN!

Adapted from an article by Adela Osmond

So many mommies seek to find the best preschool curriculum for teaching their precious preschooler. I admit that I was one of them. When my little girl was three years old, I began my quest. I wanted to be the best mommy ever, giving my daughter a head start in academics, especially reading.

This is when my dear friend settled my anxious heart by simply advising me to "take it easy.” She went on to say, “At her age, there's no need to buy an expensive curriculum. Just go to a superstore and pick out a $7.99 preschool skill-builder workbook, find free preschool activities online and make school fun!"

I took my friend’s advice, bought a few books, found some preschool websites and had lots ‘n lots of fun building wonderful memories, some of which I want to share with you.

Our preschool schedule was easy and flexible. I used the skill-builder activity book three days a week. In addition to that we watched lots of educational videos, did lots of reading, singing, and fun puzzles, and explored several online websites together. I used it all as a part of our preschool curriculum. But really it was just time spent playing with her, guided by an educational purpose.

I planned two or three activities a day. I spent no more than ten to twenty minutes at a time teaching, just enough to keep her attention on the subject at hand. Then we moved on to "non-playing" tasks.

However, during our "non-playing" tasks, learning was taking place too. After all, there were homemaking skills to acquire (grin). When Jamie and I went to the grocery store I made it a learning experience for her, as in, "Jamie, please count how many milk cartons we have in our buggy. You are right! 1-2-3-4-5.” Or, “What sound do you hear in the word ‘egg’? Eh, eh, eh-ggg?” and, "Will you get five round oranges for me and place them in this clear bag?"

When we did laundry, I had her sort the clothes by color. When she took a bath, we would play “name that sound” with a set of foam alphabet letters.

One thing I want to emphasize is that descriptive language is very important in teaching your preschooler. Talk to your child in the same way you would to an adult, using the proper names and descriptions for objects and experiences. Children have a natural affinity for learning. If you present them with new words, their vocabulary and speech will grow abundantly. You can give your child a head start in English class by simply starting now at the preschool age!

I learned very quickly in the early years of parenting that a preschool child learns best in a relaxed atmosphere. When Mommy smiles, speaks with a pleasant voice, and spends time playing with her child there is a special kind of bonding that takes place...the bond of love. So, let me gently remind you that, when irritation arises within, give yourself an attitude check and refocus your thoughts and lower your tone of voice. Your child will not only learn academics from you but also godly character.

To sum it up let me pass on the advice my friend gave me: take it easy during the preschool years. Buy some skill-builder books, bookmark a few websites and make the learning atmosphere relaxed and fun. Remember...enjoy this bonding time with them, for it truly is a blessing!

Listed below are a few items I've used with my first-born. Please don't spend too much money on preschool curriculum; be creative and look for inexpensive resources online or at your local superstore. Don't forget to use the library, too.

SUGGESTED PRESCHOOL RESOURCES

Preschool Skill Builder/Activity Books:

Preschool Comprehensive Curriculum of Basic Skills--School Specialty Publishing.
We used this workbook a lot. The pictures are rich in color, and the pages are perforated. Subjects include reading, mathematics, language arts, and writing. You can find this workbook at Amazon.com, with prices as low as $2.00 a workbook. ISBN 1-56189-374-9

My Heavenly Helper Preschool Skill Builder and Activity Guide---McGraw Hill.
Offers a skill-builder activity book that I found very helpful in teaching Bible lessons to my preschooler. This particular workbook focuses on concepts such as the alphabet, numbers, colors, shapes and sequencing. Pages are perforated; black and white. ISBN 0-7696-2907-5

A Must-Have Preschool Educational Video:

Letter Factory Video by Leap Frog---This particular pre-reading video is a must-have for preschoolers. I recently noticed a copy at our local library, but I suggest you buy a copy for your family library. Your preschooler will learn letters, phonics and listening skills in no time. ISBN 0-7907-8894-2

Free Online Preschool Curriculum:

Starfall.com--An absolutely free website that teaches children to read. You can put your preschooler in your lap and click through the alphabet. Be sure to let him click your mouse. Your child will love discovering he can interact with the show! FREE printables, too.

LetteroftheWeek.com--Letter of the Week was written and compiled by Katrina Lybbert. Katrina created this site from her experiences teaching her four children at home. The site offers a free preschool curriculum as well as ideas for babies and toddlers.

Adela Osmond is author of Plant the Word and co-owner of TrainUpChildren (http://www.TrainUpChildren.com). Her activity guide comes with hundreds of hands-on Bible activities that teach children how to draw close to God in word and deed. The Plant the Word CD includes 179 traceable Bible verse worksheets, “sow the word” stationary, and 51 scripture cards. Also, you can find free printable Bible verses and a free Old Testament unit-study when visiting http://www.trainupchildren.com/days_of_old/index.html.

The mailing address for Plant the Word is:

3760 Judge Logue Road
Newton, Alabama 36352
334-701-6133
Email: adela@trainupchildren.com

KEYWORDS for Online Resources: preschool curriculum; free preschool curriculum; creative curriculum for preschool; home preschool curriculum; preschool curriculum activities

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