Pre-Preschool-- Getting started
Tomorrow is the day.
I have promised my little one she gets to start "school" this semester. Part of me is excited for her, and part of me thinks I have lost my mind.
I already have such a hard time fitting everything in, I can hardly imagine squeezing in another "thing." But that's just the "thing." She is not a "thing." She is my child, a precious, vivacious, joyous preschooler who deserves some of mommy's time.
No, time doesn't have to mean academic work, and I am not even saying it always will. But as sad of a parent as is makes me, I am choosing to schedule one on one time with my 3 year old because she has been slipping through the cracks... and I am not ok with that.
We started a few things here or there but have not been very consistent, so tomorrow starts a fresh slate.
J will be 4 in February. Sheesh that blows my mind. My baby isn't a baby. OK...OK, I'll dry the tears and move on.
Here is the Pre-Preschool plan--
I plan to do "school" with J 3 days a week. Probably in the range of 30 minutes a day on Tuesday/Thursday/Friday -- the "less" hectic school days for my two older ones.
A few things we have planned:
All About Reading: (pre-level)
I recommend the Basic package, but if you can add Ziggy, we love him!
We have already started this and J loves it! Ziggy the Zebra always brings a smile to her face. It has been awhile since we have done it so the plan is to start over with it this week.
Handwriting without Tears
We plan to start the preschool book going VERY slowly, mostly focused on the manipulative play-- playdough, chalk, the iPad App "Wet Dry Try" that she loves!
Hands on Math
Right Start Abacus/cuisenaire rods
We will begin basic counting and place value using the abacus and Cuisenaire rods (Education Unboxed has some great videos on how to use C-rods.) We will probably use this free printable book for Cuisenaire rods.
Sonlight reading lists (we don't buy the cores, just use the books lists as library lists)
P 3/4
P 4/5
A few activities we enjoy--
Melissa & Doug Alphabet stamp set
Wikki Stixs Alphabet Fun Cards
Busy Bugs Learning set
Zingo
Alphabet Puzzle Cards (we don't have these, but we have similar ones)
Preschool Pinterest board of ideas
My goal is to play with her...Lots of games, lots of stories, and only when she is interested. The goal is relationship and giving her face time. If she learns something along the way, great! I want her to enjoy the learning process, and enjoy the relationship with me. I am looking forwards to playing games and enjoying her. Aside from trying to get to All About Reading regularly, I will allow her to guide the learning process. She is at such a fun age and I want to be more available to her. Bring on Pre-Preschool!
I have promised my little one she gets to start "school" this semester. Part of me is excited for her, and part of me thinks I have lost my mind.
I already have such a hard time fitting everything in, I can hardly imagine squeezing in another "thing." But that's just the "thing." She is not a "thing." She is my child, a precious, vivacious, joyous preschooler who deserves some of mommy's time.
No, time doesn't have to mean academic work, and I am not even saying it always will. But as sad of a parent as is makes me, I am choosing to schedule one on one time with my 3 year old because she has been slipping through the cracks... and I am not ok with that.
We started a few things here or there but have not been very consistent, so tomorrow starts a fresh slate.
J will be 4 in February. Sheesh that blows my mind. My baby isn't a baby. OK...OK, I'll dry the tears and move on.
Here is the Pre-Preschool plan--
I plan to do "school" with J 3 days a week. Probably in the range of 30 minutes a day on Tuesday/Thursday/Friday -- the "less" hectic school days for my two older ones.
A few things we have planned:
All About Reading: (pre-level)
I recommend the Basic package, but if you can add Ziggy, we love him!
We have already started this and J loves it! Ziggy the Zebra always brings a smile to her face. It has been awhile since we have done it so the plan is to start over with it this week.
Handwriting without Tears
We plan to start the preschool book going VERY slowly, mostly focused on the manipulative play-- playdough, chalk, the iPad App "Wet Dry Try" that she loves!
Hands on Math
Right Start Abacus/cuisenaire rods
We will begin basic counting and place value using the abacus and Cuisenaire rods (Education Unboxed has some great videos on how to use C-rods.) We will probably use this free printable book for Cuisenaire rods.
Sonlight reading lists (we don't buy the cores, just use the books lists as library lists)
P 3/4
P 4/5
A few activities we enjoy--
Melissa & Doug Alphabet stamp set
Wikki Stixs Alphabet Fun Cards
Busy Bugs Learning set
Zingo
Alphabet Puzzle Cards (we don't have these, but we have similar ones)
Preschool Pinterest board of ideas
My goal is to play with her...Lots of games, lots of stories, and only when she is interested. The goal is relationship and giving her face time. If she learns something along the way, great! I want her to enjoy the learning process, and enjoy the relationship with me. I am looking forwards to playing games and enjoying her. Aside from trying to get to All About Reading regularly, I will allow her to guide the learning process. She is at such a fun age and I want to be more available to her. Bring on Pre-Preschool!
Thanks for sharing your plan, Nicole. I love that you stress the goal being quality time together. I hope you and J have some special time together!
ReplyDeleteHope this helped! I actually wrote this post in a response to your comment on the last post, but never got a chance to respond there. :)
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