toddler/preschool learning ideas &

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-05-2004
toddler/preschool learning ideas &
5
Thu, 02-03-2005 - 10:00am

toys...I wanted to share some ideas that I have seen and some toys that I just recently purchased for learning tools...


In the Family Fun magazine there was an idea of using the Mickey Mouse Disney paint sample at Home Depot for a color chart.

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-21-2004
Thu, 02-03-2005 - 11:17am

That is a great idea about the color chart! I am going to put one up in my school room.


Something I have recently made are some sensory toys. I took square felt and sewed an object inside, like a whistle, fork, straw, toy dinosaur, and several other small objects. I then used my computer to put pics of the objects on one paper. The paper is hung as a poster near a table and the kids sit and try and figure out what object is inside and match it with a picture.


I also got some very cheap recorders on ebay

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Thu, 02-03-2005 - 12:54pm

i love these ideas.

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-05-2004
Thu, 02-03-2005 - 1:28pm
Thanks everyone SO much for the helpful education ideas! I was actually trying to think of some educational things to do with my DS. We usually play with blocks, puzzles, color, paint,but I wanted to try to teach him his colors. Thanks again!
katie

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-05-2004
Thu, 02-03-2005 - 1:54pm

Here is a fun sensory activities for any age....

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-21-2004
Thu, 02-03-2005 - 2:57pm

Andrea,


When we started out, I did exactly as you are describing with your dd. At the time my first was born I had been a pre-k teacher and wanted him to learn. So I spent a little time each day doing fun lessons that taught as well. He was ready to start writing at three, and started reading when he first turned four. He is not any smarter or more advanced than any other child, he just had a lot of interaction with me and his dad.


Because he was ready to read and write, I started doing home school kindergarten with him at 4. I tried putting him in private school for kindergarten but he hated it. He said it was boring and the teachers would not give him any extra work. Since the compulsory attendance in Texas is not until 7 I decided to withdraw him. We continued homeschooling and we were doing 1st grade work for the rest of the kindergarten year. I had not fully decided on homeschooling so we sent him back to private school for the complete first grade. I admit I was scared that I was doing the wrong thing and was afraid I was not teaching him the "right" way. The only thing he enjoyed about school that whole year was recess. Again they would not let him move at a faster pace and he thought it was boring. He even stopped trying and did not care at all about school. I felt like he was losing that spark for learning that came natural to him.


After much research I decided that homeschooling was the right thing for our family. I did not care to send my child to school just to learn to take state tests. I wanted him to see and feel and experience the things he was learning about. We also enjoy the extra family time we have. I love sharing three meals a day with my kids. It also gives my Dh who works strange hours opportunities to see and play with the kids. I really feel we are going to be a much stronger family for doing this.


Because the issue of socialization comes up so often with home school, I wanted to address that as well. I really do not believe my kids only need to socialize with 30 other kids who happen to have been born the same year as them. In the "real world" that is not going to happen. I don't know how many jobs I had where I had to interact with people of all ages. My children can and do get along with adults and children of all ages. Homeschooling is not locking yourself in the house and closing the curtains and blinds...lol. As a homeschooler I think we actually interact more with people. My kids are in the Jr explorers club, applied physics club, we attend park days every Friday, and several field trips a month. This is included with other activities like church and the musical theatre and acting that my oldest does.


My three year old has just started doing preschool with me, so I am very excited that all is going so well.


I forgot to say that my seven year old finishes school around 1:00 which leaves him lots of time for playing and exploring outside, having friends over and working on the computer.


Homeschooling is not for everyone though so I would recommend you do extensive research on it. I will include some links at the bottom for you to get started.


HTH


Traci


http://homeschooling.gomilpitas.com/index.htm


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