Homeschooling mom to be.

Reorganization.

I've got a lot of work ahead of me.  My house-mate decided to rearrange the dining room over the weekend.  The problem was, all my homeschooling stuff is in here.  It all got moved, and in a none-too-orderly manner.  I had all the items I use on a daily basis on the top for easy access, and the rest in drawers according to frequency of use.  None of it is where it was.  I have no idea where it all ended up, except for the piles of papers and books all over the place.

I have to go through it all and reorganize it all accordingly.  I'm a little frustrated, but I suppose these things happen.  I can't wait until we can get our own place again someday!  I don't know how soon that will be.  My husband asked if I would consider getting a part-time job for the evenings to help out with getting the needed funds for that.  I don't really want to, but if that's what's needed, I'll do it.

I was really overwhelmed this morning when I got up to do some school work with the girls and I couldn't find a single thing that I wanted to use!  I've decided that I will not start the reading program with my younger daughter just yet.  At this point, she needs to learn some discipline to sit still and quiet for any stretch of time first!

I think Nadja is too active a child at this point for something like this reading program.  I'll make some games for her to learn her letter and number recognition, but she's got way too much energy to burn to sit still doing this.  Plus, she's only just turned three.  I have a preschool curriculum that was too far below Mercy to be of any interest to her, but it will probably work wonderfully for Nadja.

I think the other issue with Nadja is that because she's go go go all the time, her brain doesn't absorb everything, because she's flitting off to the next thing before I get the instructions out to her.  So we'll work with her on that one!  Other than that, I'm enjoying this time with them.  They're getting to a much easier age.  I realized a week or so ago, that I'm always very concerned about finding things for them to do.  I do not want them to be bored and get into mischief.  But they are only young kids.  They need time to play.  They do not need me to plan every minute of their days for them.

I think some warmer weather is coming!  I plan on taking the girls on a lot of walking outings.  I need the exercise, and they need to burn off steam.  I told my husband we'll pack picnic lunches and walk to my grandmother's, or my mom's.  We don't need to worry about being back in two hours, so we can take our time. I'll bring the wagon, because Nadja especially tires easily, she's just got short little legs.  I'm actually really looking forward to it!  Well, I guess I'm off to start the rearranging!  I hope you all have a wonderful week. 

Mama J.

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7:54 AM, Apr. 13, 2009 .. Posted by SandBetweenMyToes

You are right. They need lots of time just to play. They learn an amazing amount while they are playing, while we think it's just a waste of time. It's definitely not! Also, if we plan all of their time, they don't learn to entertain themselves. It is great for them to be able to put their imaginations to work on their own. They will come up with some great games, projects, and ideas. Structured schooling really shouldn't come until much later.

You did the right thing by not starting the reading program. I tried to start one of mine before she was ready, and it put a huge strain on each of us and our relationship, and almost killed her joy of reading. I had one who learned to read at age 6, one at 4, one at 7 or 8, and my last one is just learning at 7 now. The one who learned to read at 4 never had the first lesson (as well as the one who was 7 or 8). She just learned from being read to so much. That's the absolute best thing you can do for her for several years....read to her. I have one who is wiggly sometimes when I read. I let both of mine color or draw pictures while I read aloud. If she is a visual learner, though, as she gets to age 5 or 6 maybe, it will help her learn to read if she is looking at the words while you read....only if she is visual, though. Playing the little easy going games....when she wants to....is great, too.

One thing I did....sorry this is too long.....with my preschooler was to print out a big coloring page of a letter. She would color it, then we would look through catalogs or magazines, and cut out pictures of things that started with that letter and glue them on the page.

Letitia

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4:43 PM, Apr. 13, 2009 .. Posted by Lilyofthevalley4

I hope you had a lovely day! Sorry to hear about the "organizing" that was done. Hope you can get it all sort out soon.

Blessings to you as you bloom where you have been planted.