A Year of Playing Skillfully vs Learn and Grow: Hands-on Lessons for active preschoolers

[Jacbeaumont]

I had planned to use Learn and Grow: Hands-on Lessons for active preschoolers for my soon to be 3 year old. I liked the schedule and how everything was laid out for me. No thinking required. I also liked how the activities and crafts were easily gathered from things in the home, or were relatively inexpensive. These were all activities that I could find easily online/on pinterest. But the time it would take...it just wouldn't get done.

 

I saw someone mention A Year of Playing Skillfully by The Homegrown Preschooler on another post. I looked through the sample It looks amazing. I would love to use this curriculum. I'm just afraid. The supplies listed for the first month alone looks expensive! Has anyone used this curriculum that can attest to the cost of supplies? Was it substantial every month?

Edited January 27, 2016 by Jacbeaumont

[mathmarm]

This is probably one of the silliest things, but I looked at Learn and Grow and Mother Goose Time and I have not bought them for one reason, it might sound really stupid, but this is honestly the reason that I did not buy them despite being so very sorely tempted. Are you ready?

 

They do not include the quantity/number 0 in their entire sequence of math lessons. They are supposed to be an open and go preschool curriculum and it is missing (what *I* consider) a critical concept in mathematics and in the real world. To me, 0 is a fundamental and critical part of the foundation of math and if it is left out, then the lessons are incomplete. I have the skill set to judge what is missing from a math program, but not for the other subjects/topics, but if the math program has a gaping hole in it, then I wonder if the other subjects do too.

 

Yes, I know that it could easily be supplemented in to the lessons, but like I said, I know what to supplement for in math, but I do not want to have to figure out ways to supplement and fill in for the other topics.

 

 

[HomeAgain]

An amazing curriculum that gets left to the wayside is not nearly as good as one that will get done. :)

 

I would go for the simpler one, supplementing, if needed, with Wee Folk Art, which also requires very little in terms of prep.  The simpler one will also give you a chance to exercise your own creativity in implementing the lessons, not worrying about if it's the way the author would do it.

 

I loved our year of intentional play.  It was very nice, but it was so because I had flexibility and freedom and didn't feel hemmed in by expensive supplies.  We spent $20/mo, $15 of that going to a subscription program and the other $5 on things like playdough, stickers, or a specialty food.  There really is enough out there for free that if you want to pick a set of themes you can totally build your own with filing ideas for books and activities from the internet.

[Jacbeaumont]

This is probably one of the silliest things, but I looked at Learn and Grow and Mother Goose Time and I have not bought them for one reason, it might sound really stupid, but this is honestly the reason that I did not buy them despite being so very sorely tempted. Are you ready?

 

They do not include the quantity/number 0 in their entire sequence of math lessons. They are supposed to be an open and go preschool curriculum and it is missing (what *I* consider) a critical concept in mathematics and in the real world. To me, 0 is a fundamental and critical part of the foundation of math and if it is left out, then the lessons are incomplete. I have the skill set to judge what is missing from a math program, but not for the other subjects/topics, but if the math program has a gaping hole in it, then I wonder if the other subjects do too.

 

Yes, I know that it could easily be supplemented in to the lessons, but like I said, I know what to supplement for in math, but I do not want to have to figure out ways to supplement and fill in for the other topics.

Interesting point. I wasn't really looking for all the bases to be covered for every subject as I know my kindergarten curriculums will do that. For example, my math curriculum does cover 0! Hehe

 

But I hear you. It's funny though, because my main problem (and the reason I never bought or carried out preschool with my first DS) is that I NEED curriculum that is systematic and incremental. So when things aren't linear and scaffolded I can't stand it. Which is why I couldn't do FIAR. But now I just want something that is fun to do with my little guy. He doesn't get a lot of mommy time right now. So I've gotten over it knowing that K will be different!

 

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[Jacbeaumont]

An amazing curriculum that gets left to the wayside is not nearly as good as one that will get done. :)

 

I would go for the simpler one, supplementing, if needed, with Wee Folk Art, which also requires very little in terms of prep. The simpler one will also give you a chance to exercise your own creativity in implementing the lessons, not worrying about if it's the way the author would do it.

 

I loved our year of intentional play. It was very nice, but it was so because I had flexibility and freedom and didn't feel hemmed in by expensive supplies. We spent $20/mo, $15 of that going to a subscription program and the other $5 on things like playdough, stickers, or a specialty food. There really is enough out there for free that if you want to pick a set of themes you can totally build your own with filing ideas for books and activities from the internet.

I've looked at Wee folk art, but he's too young. He'll be barely 3 at that time.

 

I don't know why, buy I feel like it's so bare. Maybe I'm not looking at the right things? For example, when I look at the harvest time, it mentions a letter of the week, but I can't seem to find that letter in any of the activities?

 

 

I can't do the simpler one anymore! I'm too in love. I've made some changes to next years plans to allow me room for purchasing the monthly supplies.

 

 

 

 

 

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[Jacbeaumont]

Oh! I just saw that you said to supplement with Wee Folk Art, not use it alone!

 

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[abba12]

This is probably one of the silliest things, but I looked at Learn and Grow and Mother Goose Time and I have not bought them for one reason, it might sound really stupid, but this is honestly the reason that I did not buy them despite being so very sorely tempted. Are you ready?

 

They do not include the quantity/number 0 in their entire sequence of math lessons. They are supposed to be an open and go preschool curriculum and it is missing (what *I* consider) a critical concept in mathematics and in the real world. To me, 0 is a fundamental and critical part of the foundation of math and if it is left out, then the lessons are incomplete. I have the skill set to judge what is missing from a math program, but not for the other subjects/topics, but if the math program has a gaping hole in it, then I wonder if the other subjects do too.

 

Yes, I know that it could easily be supplemented in to the lessons, but like I said, I know what to supplement for in math, but I do not want to have to figure out ways to supplement and fill in for the other topics.

 

That is quite intentional, a few miss it. The reason is that while 1,2,3 are concrete numbers, concepts you can handle and count, 0 is considered an abstract concept that is much harder to grasp for some kids. I know my Ker is still struggling with 0 even though she is otherwise at a 1st grade level of math. 

 

Obviously if you want to introduce 0 first that's fine as well, a friend of mine intentionally did. But it's more a difference in progression/learning styles than a 'hole'

[Jacbeaumont]

That is quite intentional, a few miss it. The reason is that while 1,2,3 are concrete numbers, concepts you can handle and count, 0 is considered an abstract concept that is much harder to grasp for some kids. I know my Ker is still struggling with 0 even though she is otherwise at a 1st grade level of math. 

 

Obviously if you want to introduce 0 first that's fine as well, a friend of mine intentionally did. But it's more a difference in progression/learning styles than a 'hole'

 

Very true!

 

And of course, right after I mention my OC tendencies regarding teaching subjects in a linear fashion: last night I was reading the sample month of A Year of Playing Skillfully, and under an introduction to math it mentioned that preschoolers do not actually learn math in a linear fashion. HA! They wrote that part just for me!

[mathmarm]

That is quite intentional, a few miss it. The reason is that while 1,2,3 are concrete numbers, concepts you can handle and count, 0 is considered an abstract concept that is much harder to grasp for some kids. I know my Ker is still struggling with 0 even though she is otherwise at a 1st grade level of math. 

 

Obviously if you want to introduce 0 first that's fine as well, a friend of mine intentionally did. But it's more a difference in progression/learning styles than a 'hole'

I know why programs introduce/explore counting numbers first, but I disagree with the practice of neglecting to introduce/explore 0. The idea of none/all gone is easy enough for preschoolers to understand (even if they don't always accept it with grace) so in my opinion, there is no real purpose served by not building 0 into the scope and sequence.

 

Either way, I hate the nagging feeling that something is missing from the other fields, as ridiculous as that sounds because we are discussing preschool not graduate school. Still, I wonder "If math is missing such a critical topic/skill, then what is reading/writing/etc missing?" If I were going to buy a curriculum for preschool, I would rather buy something that gave me peace of mind.

 

Feeling like something is missing would just drive me (even more) nuts than I already am.

 

[PersonalMap]

Oh, wow, A Year of Playing Skillfully looks exactly like what we've been talking about doing with our daughter next year. Thank you for the link! My one question would be about the Christmas and Easter months, how religious does the plan get? We don't practice Christianity, though we do celebrate those holidays secularly. I wonder whether it would be a good fit for us.

[lifesadream83]

Oh, wow, A Year of Playing Skillfully looks exactly like what we've been talking about doing with our daughter next year. Thank you for the link! My one question would be about the Christmas and Easter months, how religious does the plan get? We don't practice Christianity, though we do celebrate those holidays secularly. I wonder whether it would be a good fit for us.

[Jacbeaumont]

Oh, wow, A Year of Playing Skillfully looks exactly like what we've been talking about doing with our daughter next year. Thank you for the link! My one question would be about the Christmas and Easter months, how religious does the plan get? We don't practice Christianity, though we do celebrate those holidays secularly. I wonder whether it would be a good fit for us.

From what I've read the ladies who developed the curriculum respond to questions, so I would definitely send them an email to ask.

 

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[fshinkevich]

Hi,

 

Thought I would reply here in case you were still interested in this curriculum. We are not a religious family, based on the free sample of A Year of Playing Skillfully I took a chance and purchased the full package although I had the same concerns about the holiday months. I just got my order in yesterday and have not had a chance to look over everything carefully yet, but the first thing I did was flip to the Christmas and Easter months.

 

As far as I can tell at first glance, everything will be adjustable for a secular family. There is a proverb on every monthly checklist, it's easily ignored. It does become part of the theme, but it's for things like keeping things clean, asking for/giving forgiveness, etc. All things good for children to learn regardless of religion. So far I have not seen any religious content in the actual teaching of these themes.

 

There are a few crafts in December that are religious, but I think you can easily adjust them -

 

Advent Calendar: a project to make an advent calendar including bible quotes and a surprise for child. Easy enough to follow their directions with just a surprise and maybe a happy note from a family member instead.

 

There is a small paragraph on some activities for manger/nativity activities and a field trip.

 

There are a few book and music suggestions that are Christian, but easily swapped with secular choices. This is also true for Easter/April.

 

Easter crafts - 

 

Cross craft: A project using a cross made of popsicle sticks. Could easily complete the project with popsicle squares/shapes, or the letters of your child's name.

 

Empty Tomb craft: I think you could follow this project as directed, swapping out the crosses for miniature animals or fairies and it would still be super cute/fun.

 

Flipping through there are there are a few words about praying, or getting to know the world God made (the rest of the paragraph are suggestions for children to enjoy nature regardless of religion). 

 

Again, I have not carefully read through the curriculum, but I did look more closely at Dec. & April and skimmed through everything. I am not seeing anything that would make this curriculum unusable for a secular family. The only thing I see so far that probably couldn't be adjusted are the nativity activities, and those are a small portion of the book. There are plenty of Christmas and Spring activities that could apply to anyone that celebrates in any capacity. When I have a chance to read further if I notice anything that might be an issue I'll  come back and post it.

 

Hope that helps!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oh, wow, A Year of Playing Skillfully looks exactly like what we've been talking about doing with our daughter next year. Thank you for the link! My one question would be about the Christmas and Easter months, how religious does the plan get? We don't practice Christianity, though we do celebrate those holidays secularly. I wonder whether it would be a good fit for us.

 

[Homeschoolmommy44]

I think paying 179.00 for "a year of playing skillfully" is ridiculous!!! Do people really need a curriculum to teach kids to play all we need is our imagination, pintrest and google and the world unfolds. Do not confine yourself to a book. You will limit yourself.

 

 

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[CelticHaiku]

$120 for the e book alone. 9 months of activities lauded out for you by theme and with activities. So basically $13 a month for someone else to do some of the leg work. You still have to gather supplies but a complete supply list (sorted monthly by individual activity) is provided. You can choose how many activists to do each month, when to do them, and how often.

I think of you have time time and inclination to find activities yourself and to put it all together then AYOPS is unnecessary and overpriced. However if putting it all together yourself is, for whatever reason, not a reality for you then I think this will be a good program. It is organized without locking you into a tight schedule. That is what appeals to me. The nice thing is if you want something I between the two options you can get The Homegrown Preschooler for less than $30 and then you have the activities and more in one place and then you just have to organize it yourself.