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9 February 2008, Issue #049

Preschool Hearts

1. Hello from Shirley

It's Valentine season again.

Have you ever had regrets about past romantic relationships? Wished there hadn't been so many? Wished they hadn't ended so badly? Wished you'd been wiser or more mature in some way?

Of course, there are some lessons in life that we just have to learn the hard way, but recently, as I have researched parenting teens and how to guide young adults through the mine field of the teen years, I have often wished that I had been given some of the insights and ideas that I have now discovered, when I was younger.

I believe that there is an alternative to the dating game and that I can already teach and train my small children to have a radically different outlook on this issue than the popular one in our culture today. I can start now to equip them to make good choices - choices that will hopefully allow them to have less regrets than many others and more successful relationships with their partners than the rest of the world!

I believe it begins with realising that dating for recreation in the early teen years is usually a very emotionally and often physically self-seeking and self-gratifying pursuit, even if it is mutually so.

Secondly, that teen-dating is the beginning of a pattern that is not beneficial for long term relationships, like marriage, (but rather sets the pattern for divorce) and finally, that romantic intimacy flourishes best in a secure, permanent relationship....

...so, although I won't forbid them to date, I am already preparing them to rather develop good friendships with both sexes, rather than get emotionally entangled with the opposite sex too soon, when they reach adolescence!

I intend to build relationships with my children where we can openly discuss these sensitive issues too, so that they will ask for our guidance. I believe we have to start that relationship building now so that we will hold our children's hearts.

(Further below are some story books on this topic that we have read and discussed together as a start...)

2. Take a look at Shirley's Preschool Activities

On the Preschool Themes page of my site there are ideas and activities for learning about China and Chinese New Year which began on 7 February, a Valentine’s Day Craft as well as ideas for the following upcoming days of the year:

23 March: Easter/Passover

22 April:Earth Day

ABC Fun & 1-2-3

"...Your book has been a prayer answered - your suggested programme fits our lifestyle / current routine just about perfectly. I was desperate for something, other than seat work, for my curious little girl - and you've thought of everything to inspire her without the rigidity of school. Many many thanks!

(Sarah, Mummy to Emma 6, Rebekah 3, and Jessie 3mo - South Africa) "

3. Preschool Activities at Home Egroup

4. Quote

"Love is not a feeling but an act of the will. (Unknown)

5. Tips

Have you ever taken your little boy or little girl out on a date? Take some time out to take them for a treat where you can spend some one on one time alone with your child. Don't expect a deep heart to heart conversation, but enjoy just spending time together and tell him or her how special s/he is to you. If you have more than one child, you'll need to have a few one-on-one dates with each of them. You and your partner can take turns (and don't forget to have a date with each other too!)

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6. Book Reviews

The Princess and the Kiss by Jennie Bishop

This is a story that teaches children about the preciousness of their purity. The princess was give a kiss when she was born which was carefully protected by her parents until she was old enough to have it. Then suitors came calling, Prince Romance, Prince Peacock, Prince Treasure Chest and many others and the princess had the task of choosing a good man. How would she do it? This book is aimed at children from age 4-8. It's best for girls, but boys can learn from it too.

The Squire and the Scroll by Jennie Bishop

A young boy sets out on a journey accompanying a knight who has to retrieve the light stolen from their kingdom by an evil dragon. Along the way there are various tests and deadly traps to overcome to succeed on the mission. Only by remembering the words in the scroll which his parents taught him, is the boy able to accomplish the mission when the knight falls by the way. This is another tool for teaching little boys the value of moral courage. Sisters will also enjoy the story.

Amazon pays me commission vouchers for promoting their products too - so I'd appreciate the support! If you are South African, you can find shop online at kalahari.net or loot.co.za

7. Readiness Activities

The following activities are aimed at ages 2-3. For older children, adapt the activity to their ability or alternatively repeat the activities previously suggested for ages 3-5 in the Backissues of The Whole Child publication.

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!

February

Play “follow the leader” with your child, taking turns to be the leader, performing actions which the follower must copy. Do actions like crawling, jumping, skipping, hopping, clapping hands, rolling, sitting. Use words to describe your actions too and have fun.

2. Fine motor skills

Manual Dexterity: Encourage your child to clip clothes pegs around wide-mouthed top of a large plastic bottle while you hold it, if necessary.

3. Visual skills

Visual closure: Pick a few different flowers and then carefully remove one petal from each flower. Place the flowers and the petals in front of your child and ask her to match the petals to the correct flower.

4. Auditory skills

Clap hands in time to the rhythm of some pleasant (children’s) music. You can also create a mini-orchestra by letting your child use the following home-made instruments:
Drum – wooden spoon on an upturned cake tin or plastic container
Cymbals – two wooden blocks
Shaker – plastic bottle half-filled with rice

5. Mathematical skills

Numerical relations: Build three sticks from construction blocks and using them discuss with your child the concepts of short, shorter, shortest and long, longer, longest.

6. Language skills

Active Language Development: Choose a storybook that has a lot of ‘busy’ pictures. Browse through the book and talk about new objects with your child. Enjoy reading together and building your relationship.

"You are not reading a book to a child; You are sharing a book with a child." (Jay Heale)

More about Preschool Reading Skills

7. Faith-building

Tell your child that you and your partner are not perfect parents. Moms and dads often make mistakes too, mistakes that disappoint and hurt children.
(If we were perfect parents, our children probably wouldn’t really need a relationship with the Lord.)

Encourage your children from a young age to let Jesus meet all their needs and give them the love an affirmation that they so badly need.
Allow God to heal you of hurts and disappointments in your own life, caused by your own imperfect parents.

Greetings until next month
Shirley
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