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The Old Schoolhouse Magazine Homeschooling with Preschoolers
April 30, 2008
Dear Victoria,
I don't know about you, but I've found that homeschooling with a preschooler can be one of the toughest jobs you'll ever love.
My youngest was a TRUE challenge at age three and kept me on my knees praying for guidance, strength, and patience. He just seemed to go through a miserable phase where we couldn't keep him out of trouble long enough to get anything done.
We had to learn all about flexibility while bringing some structure into his chaotic little world. I actually had to work on teaching him to sit still through a read aloud and I was convinced that the Lord knew that I'd need his two older brothers just to help me keep a close watch on our little tornado.
Slowly but surely though, he made progress and I can even remember when he finally willingly sat through a read aloud, started bringing us books to read, and then surprised us all by typing his name on the computer! What great memories!
As the mother of a preschooler, you can often feel like you're being pulled in 15 different directions cleaning up spills, changing diapers, fixing lunch, answering the phone, and trying to manage a little homeschooling in there somewhere. Just give yourself a break moms. God doesn't expect you to be "SuperWoman." He knows that those years with little ones place extra demands on us. That's why He said that He gently leads those who have young. Your little ones are precious to Him and He carries them close to His heart. He'll be gentle with you too. Just follow.
PS - TOS is going to be at the GHEA Conference Thursday through Saturday in Atlanta. Stop by our booth and say hello and don't miss our workshop on Friday about why homeschooling is so important to Christianity in America!
PSS - Enter here to win a copy of Brain Rules and find out why homeschooling is "brain friendly"!
Attention Homeschool Leaders
TOS has something special for you! We've already gotten 200 responses and we only have 550 more gift packs left.
Plus, ONE of you will win a Dell laptop!
Don't miss this great opportunity! Click HERE for details.
Mercy Every Minute Deborah Wuehler, TOS Senior Editor What a great topic! I love preschoolers! We can teach them so much about life and godliness at this tender age. They can learn obedience, cooperation, servanthood, sharing, creation science, health, chores, and so many other wonderful life lessons. When I take the time with them on a consistent basis, they soak up a ton of information in that little bit of time.
Too often, though, I find myself brushing them off to help the older ones with whatever endeavors they have. I hear myself saying to the little ones, "Yes, I can do that with you later," but 'later' sometimes doesn't happen and they can feel left out or ignored.
That is why I take it seriously when I make a commitment to the preschoolers, that I follow through with it. If I say, "Yes, I want to read that book to you," I try to stop whatever I am doing and read it right then. If that is not possible, I set the timer for the amount of time I still need to finish something else up and they know that Mommy will do what she says when the timer beeps. I try to always say yes to creative things such as clay or water color paints or cutting little bits of paper with scissors. I set them up, give them a time limit if needed, and we all clean up afterwards. Yes, this is a messy age. Yes, this is a demanding age - they need our time and attention to learn puzzles or card games or counting bears or fixing snacks! But a bit of time training them at this age, goes a long way in helping them transition to more formal learning later.
I have found that my preschoolers just want to know my commitment to keep them at the same importance level as the older ones and to feel like a part of the learning whole. Spending time together with your preschoolers lays a foundation and can become time well spent for eternity.
~Deborah
"He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young." Isaiah 40:11
I find it odd to say that I no longer have any preschoolers! My "baby" is now five and wow, that is just something to wrap my mind around! When I did have them though, I was always looking for ways to keep them busy while I tackled homeschooling with the older children. I happened to write them down and I hope they bless someone!
Types of activities include art, dramatic play, finger plays, songs, poems, snacks/cooking, outdoor play, math, and many more. There are definitely some activities (e.g. circle time) that might not be suited for the home environment, where there are typically only one or two students in this age category. But there are probably many creative homeschooling parents who would be able to adapt even these.
The activities are categorized by month, giving you ample opportunity to take advantage of seasonal supplies and holidays. On the other hand, it really wouldn't be a problem to take an activity listed in September and use it in December. More than anything, this book should be considered a reference point for gathering ideas and developing creativity in your teaching.
For His Glory,
Kate
Contest Central For the month of April
U.S. Presidents March CD We have a fun contest for you this month! If you ever wanted your children to learn the names of the presidents we have the product for you!
The three songs in The U.S. Presidents March CD help children memorize U.S. Presidents, First Ladies, and the story of the writing of the U.S. Constitution. "The U.S. Presidents March" contains the full names of all U.S. Presidents in chronological order to the tune of John Phillip Sousa's "Washington Post March". A separate split track and instrumental track are also included. "The First Ladies March" (to the same tune) contains the full names of the First Ladies in chronological order, with a separate split track. The third selection is "The Ballad of the U.S. Constitution", which tells the story of how the U.S. Constitution came to be. Events included in the ballad are the signing of the Articles of Confederation, the Constitutional Convention, and the creation of the Bill of Rights. The Ballad has an additional instrumental track.
It delights me to recommend a product created by a fellow homeschooling family. The Coopers have graduated two sons from their homeschool. Drawing from their many years of homeschooling experience, they create and provide products they believe will serve fellow homeschoolers well. I enjoy supporting a family company that offers high-quality products, especially when the family has successfully traveled the path I am just beginning.
Read the complete review online and enter for a chance to win the U.S. Presidents March CD!
TO ENTER:
Email Deb with your name and mailing address and the subject, "U.S. Presidents March" for a chance to win*.
Congratulations to JoAnn Wester from Fountain City, WI! She is our March Mystery of History contest winner!
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