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August 2008, Issue #054

1. Hello from Shirley

As the new school year in the USA is approaching I have received quite a few emails recently from moms looking for a preschool curriculum, many of them for little ones as young as 2 years of age!

At this age, children don't really need a curriculum or formal lessons - their play is learning...BUT moms need curriculums to make them feel that they are 'doing something' with their children at home, that their children aren't 'missing out' on what kids in preschool might be doing.....to have something to show the critics who think their child should be in preschool and finally, to give them some guidelines and security that they can actually teach their children successfully.

I wrote an article on The Benefits of a Preschool Curriculum …but for any child, especially those under 4, I would take a very gentle and just-by-the-way approach to any instruction! Let your child lead you, not a curriculum!

Having said that, for those who are looking for a structured program, here are a few options that I have used and which I recommend.

There are others I have used to some extent too and not mentioned on my site as I feel they are too demanding for the preschool years!

Go to Preschool Curriculum Reviews for a closer look at

If you are a homeschooling mom, you might find

2. Take a look at Shirleys Preschool Activities

This month I added two really easy crafts:

1. Corner Bookmarks - using old envelopes
2. Wax Crayon Etching

If we can do them, then so can you!

3. Quote

Words to say daily: “You can do it.” Children thrive on encouragement.

4. Tips

Stay in touch with your children’s hearts by talking to them on a heart-to-heart level as often as you can, daily if possible. Don’t wait until a crisis happens or they misbehave before you give them focused attention.

So often parents ignore children if they are well-behaved, but give them long lectures when they have done wrong.

This will teach them to use bad behaviour to get negative attention – because negative attention is better than no attention at all.

So, make an effort to chat with your children daily. Build your relationship now, so that you won’t be an alien parent when they hit the sometimes stormy teen years. Work on becoming a trusted confidente instead.

5. Book Reviews

Last month I told you about Say Goodbye to Whining, Complaining, and Bad Attitudes...in You and Your Kids by Turansky and Miller

andThe Story About Ping by Margaret Flack

The following are character-building stories that you could share with your children as you seek to grow your relationship and train their characters.

The Garden Wall by Jennie Bishop
Having read The Princess and the Kiss as well as The Squire and the Scroll, which are both books for children about guarding their hearts and their purity, this book teaches about healthy friendships and relationships:
Petra and Seth start a garden but the task is difficult and there are obstacles and challenges to overcome. Along the way, they learn that love is faithful, kind, long-suffering, etc.

The Secret Garden Audio CD
My 5 year old (and her older brother and sister) loved listening to this classic children’s story on CD. It kept her captivated for the full 135 minutes time and time again:
Mary Lennox is an orphaned girl who uncovers the secrets of Misselthwaite Manor in a story with a message of hope and healing. It will also raise discussion about ‘spoiled’, demanding children and appreciation for others.

This would make a great birthday or Christmas gift…so plan ahead!

If you are South African, you can buy books and CD's online at www.kalahari.net and www.loot.co.za

6. Readiness Activities

To download the activities in a printable pdf, click here. You will need to have Adobe Reader installed. It’s a free download. Repeat these activities often - with your own variations too!

August

1. Gross motor skills

Balance: Hold hands with your child and balance on one leg each together. See if she can balance for a few seconds!

2. Fine motor skills

Manual Dexterity: Let your child scribble or draw freely on an upright blackboard or a large sheet of paper taped to a wall. Let her use thick chalk or crayons.

3. Visual skills

Colour perception: Have special colour days where you focus on one particular colour at a time. On a ‘red’ day, point out that your child is wearing say a red T-shirt, eating a red apple, drinking from a red cup, etc.

4. Auditory skills

Sit quietly and ask your child to listen carefully to the sounds in the environment. Listen to noises in your home and outside eg. A computer or fridge humming, a washing machine, birds, cars, wind, rain etc.

5. Mathematical skills

Counting skills: Take turns throwing a die and help your child to count the dots. Two year olds normally have a good understanding of the concepts of one and two but can count further.

6. Language skills

Have regular story times with your child. Ask predictive questions at regular intervals eg. What do you think the (main character) is going to do next? Or What’s going to happen next? Also take time to answer any questions that your child may want to ask. Encourage his interest and participation in reading.

7. Faith-building

Teach your children that it is not just ‘bad guys’ and criminals that are bad. We are all sinful people that do ‘bad’ things. Explain that if we tell Jesus that we know we are bad and that we sin, he promises to take away our sins and make us ‘good’ and righteous, according to 1 John 10:10. This could be an opportunity to let your little one pray the sinner’s prayer and give his or her heart to the Lord. It is never too early!

Greetings until next month
Shirley
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