David turned three on December 28th, 2009.
Sometimes it’s a challenge to keep him occupied while his three siblings complete their schoolwork. Having gone down the preschool road before (ages ago, it seems) I know what will make the trip less bumpy and more fruitful.
Here are some things that work for us and our preschool at home:
- Reading- We have a ton of books just having collected them through the years. We are also part of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library and monthly we get a new book in the mail. We’ll receive them until he turns five.
- Drawing- Sure there’s traditional paper and crayons, but David also loves to draw on his Magnadoodle. Also, there’s drawing on dry-erase boards, chalk boards, or with chalk on side walks.
- Play Dough- If you can tolerate the smell (unlike my husband and eldest son) play dough is such a great, interactive way to spend time. If you are feel creative, too, you can make homemade variations. [See Recipes]
David’s favorite thing about playing with play dough is using all the various tools we have accumulated over the years! - Puzzles- What better way to help develop fine motor skills than by working on preschool puzzles. The large knobbed puzzles also help with the mastery of sorting, recognizing colors, and learning numbers, letters, and shapes.
- Music- We are a sing-song family. We’re always singing or playing music. We have drums and maracas, but foremost we have our voices. Singing is something that has always helped change a toddlers hum-drum mood. It’s probably the one thing that we do on a constant and daily basis.
I’d love to hear what you do in your Home-school Pre-school!
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when my girls were homeschooled and in the preschool age I created a color box out of an old egg carton. (You can use a muffin tin as well) It works best with the cardboard carton and not they styrofoam one. Paint each of the bottoms (in the inside) of the spots with a different color, then set your children out to find things with a certain color. It was amazing the things they would find. Egg cartons also work well for ‘treasures’ we would go on walks and find certain things and talk about them. it was really great.
I love that idea! Thanks!!
well my son is 4 so we started doing a lot of counting games. His fave is one where we use an egg carton with numbers in the bottom of each of section. He has to count the number of little dots that go into each section. We use all kinds of manipulatives for the games we play, he likes to feel in control
We love to do the music too. Somedays I just let him go crazy with glue and cotton and googley eyes. Its always hilarious when he names his creations.
I’m totally taking that idea and running with it!
Hello,
I’m so glad to see that you are concentrating on learning through reading aloud, play, art, and music…these are so often overlooked by young parents in favor of academics, but they are the very best ways to learn. Good job!
Blessings,
Susan Lemons http://www.susanlemons.wordpress.com
Homeschooling mom of 4
Author, Homepreschool and Beyond
Thanks, Susan! That’s what I did with my first three who are 12, 11, and 9! It worked.
Sing-song family, eh?
I would have never guessed! LOL
Love shack BABY!
These are great tips! I’m on my way to this stage. I am loving every minute of getting there. Today the little varmint said “Kitty” for the first time.
Awwwwwwwwww!! first words!!!
If you are ok with technology and electronic games for learning, we find using the iPod Touch with some educational games has been excellent.
Oh, we are a technology laden family! That’s one thing that will come into play around 4/5.. Starfall.com and a few others are tucked away in my home school bookmark on our PC and my laptop!
David loves my iTouch. I will have to look for some games!
Hi, I’ve been doing a letter a week that includes as many activities as I can muster up. So far its going well! You can check it out here:
http://confessionsofahomeschooler.blogspot.com
Thanks for the ideas!
What a great idea! Heading over to check it out!
Erica’s site is AWESOME! Definitely worth a look!
I have a 14, 9 and almost 3 year old. I have lots of strategies for preschoolers. Other then the ones you have mentioned, I rotate educational toys and have special toys that are only used during school. Nature walks are perfect for this age. Little ones love cutting, painting with watercolors and finger paints, water play in the sink or water table, sand play, pouring/transfering activities, magnetic letters and numbers on white board/refrigerator, cooking activites, lacing activities and sorting activities. Yes, some things are messy, but that’s half the fun. I know there is more that we do, but this is what I came up with on short notice. Enjoy your children. Peace.
Thanks for the additional ideas!! I love them all.
My son is 3 and it can be a challenge keeping him occupied while I educate his older sisters. He loves his playdough too (the homemade stuff smells better than the Playdoh brand!) and his Lego. There is a children’s resource centre in town that lets us borrow toys for a small annual fee. He enjoys “doing school” with a Dollar Store preschool workbook – usually he doesn’t bother to follow directions but just circles everything!
You might try Starfall already. My 31 month old has been playing Starfall for a few months and can now do it all himself! (even hit escape when he accidentally hits the right button and makes the context window come up).
I want to start homeschooling my daughter who will be 5 next year, but she really wants to GO to school. I would value your advice on how to proceed.
I have been teaching my very active preschooler sign language. I have also been teaching him to spell using the basketball game “HORSE.” You can read about it here http://creatingnirvanatoday.blogspot.com/2010/02/teaching-active-preschooler-spelling.html