Pintosrock
-
Posts
204 -
Joined
Content Type
Profiles
Forums
Events
Blogs
Classifieds
Store
Posts posted by Pintosrock
-
-
Niece is turning 4. She loves Lego blocks, definitely better with Duplo than system. We're thinking of getting her another block system for her birthday. Any recommendations?
-
I hope I don't start a firestorm...
Q: Is one method truly "better?" And do you feel so strongly about your convictions that you would go up to another Mom and tell her she's doing it wrong? Is a mix of the methods satisfactory, or less than ideal? Am I really screwing up my kid?!
My story, leading up to my question:
We were at the library booksale. Dd4 was playing with a boy (age5) and being louder-than-desirable for the library. So, I pulled out a book and cried out, "Look, dd! A Magic Schoolbus book!" She fed off my enthusiasm, took the book, and asked the boy if he wanted to hear her read it. He, in clear shock and awe, asked her if she could read. "Of course I can!" was her indignant reply. She began to "read" it to him. I'll admit it here - she's not actually reading. She was using her knowledge of previous encounters with Ms Frizzle and the pictures to tell a story.
After a minute, it became obvious to the boy that she wasn't actually reading and he called her out on it. She was insistent that she was reading and the argument was escalating and others are now watching us. Dd turns to me to resolve it, asking "Was I reading?" I pause, knowing I now have an audience beyond two kids and also not wanting to dampen dd's enjoyment of books. So I very seriously ask her, "Were you swimming?" She looks at me as if I'm the most ridiculous mom ever. "No, I was reading!" "Of course, you were reading," I agree and go back to looking for books. Dd continues reading to the bewildered boy, and they are reasonably quiet (All I really wanted at that moment!)
Then, the boy's Mom (I see them at storytime, but don't really know these people) comes up and she tells me that I really shouldn't let dd think she's reading, it will only lead to word guessing. She teaches her son straight phonics and he's not allowed to read books (a la whole language methodology) until he has a firm grasp of phonics.
At the moment, I just wanted everyone to leave me alone so I could look for books! But in reflection, I'm thinking, really?! That sounds like a sure way to kill all the enjoyment of reading!
Our learning-to-read plan: We finished AARpre and the Ready, Set, Go for the Code books. I have AAR1, but three lessons in and it's clear that she doesn't get blending and it's BORING to dd. So we're taking the summer off to just play with books. Our library has lots of alphabet/sounds games that we rotate through and she listens to me read. The plan is to pick back up with AAR1 (getting our phonics in) while also listening to me read, and letting dd do whatever she wants with books (pretending to read or whatever)
Q: Am I really teaching dd bad habits? Has 100% phonics won the Reading War?
-
We're about done with AAR pre and Get Ready/Set/Go for the Code. Do I need the latest edition of AAR1, or can I save $20 and do fine with the older edition?
-
I guess I'm lame. I never put anything in them. :laugh:
I found some Biblical characters at our dollar store. My husband was appalled at the idea of putting Jesus into an egg. "You can't have Jesus in a tomb on Easter. It's empty!" Then he suggested having the eggs all be empty. I don't think dd will go for that!
-
2
-
-
Dd has a milk allergy, so anything chocolate is out. I'd prefer non-candy items.
Grammy always ran the egg hunt, but we've moved and won't be back for Easter. She would put fun coins in the eggs - presidential dollars and wheat pennies. I tried asking at my local bank for dollar coins, but they thought I was crazy.
I tried the dollar store, but everything just seemed "junky" to me. I tried to negotiate one larger, nicer present instead of an egg hunt, but Dd didn't like that idea!
So, what do you put inside Easter eggs?
-
In our house, Blitzen always gives books. In the cover, he writes a little note, usually humorous, and signs it "Santa's Most Literary Reindeer."
Last year, the other reindeer went gangbusters, signing the books in different colors and complaining about the weight of Blitzen's presents.
But, Blitzen is undeterred! He's bringing more books this year! I think he convinced the other reindeer to start working out...
Yeah, no book problem here! 😀
-
11
-
-
Hands On museum in Hendersonville?
-
1
-
-
Mine has an aversion to all things writing and drawing, so my goal is just encouraging putting pencil to paper. So my recommendations are fine motor work, not other learning.
We like the Kumon books, but dd struggles after the first third of Easy Mazes, so we repeat those over and over, but that increases dd's dread and boredom.
What works... character books! Dd found Curious George's Adventurers in Learning workbook at the thrift store. I'm not usually a fan of licensed character type books, thinking they are just trying to sell something, but hey! If dd actually wants to do this, it will get the ball rolling! She's also getting a Piggie and Gerald activity book for Christmas.
Also, how to draw books. We like Emberley and the Draw Write Now series. I do them with dd using my non-dominant hand and we all get a laugh.
-
1
-
-
Duplo & vintage FP Little People trains are big enough for "people" to ride them; Brio ones are not.
Get the $3 cargo cars in the pick-a-train box at Target. Playmobil kids can ride in those and your Brio/Thomas trains can pull 'em!
-
2
-
-
Dh was a volunteer at a train museum for the longest time and dd was caught the train bug. We have EVERYTHING.
So, it depends on what you're looking for. In a very first train, I'd recommend an off-brand wooden set. Name brands have nice, tight connections to help the train run smoothly, but are very difficult to connect for a child learning fine motor skills.
After that, of course you want a nice set that runs smooth. But at 4, dd (with delays) isn't quite here yet.
Bridges, tunnels, round houses, etc, all add to the fun and storytelling.
At 4,my dd isn't really ready for LEGO DUPLO sets. Building your own train can be tricky. The track, which worked so well in our old house with hardwood floors, is so finicky on carpet. Both lead to meltdowns in our house...
Then we have a really old little people train set (was Dh's when he was little) That track works awesome on carpet. Don't know if you can still get it... but both it and the DUPLO track take up tons of floor space. Wooden sets, especially if you have a train table, are more contained.
Then we have system LEGO trains (both the old 9V and the newer power functions) and HO scale model trains. Neither of which dd is ready for, but she enjoys watching Dh play. And sending them around the track at high speed... I might recommend LEGO over traditional model trains, unless you have dedicated space in your basement for the permanent modules.
Umm, yeah, I don't think there's a set we Don't have. But if there is, don't tell Dh and dd!
-
1
-
-
Wow, that sounds like a lot. Unless the kids are investing real money? And you can keep any successful investments?
-
1
-
-
My daughter is preschool aged. We do not watch movies, internet or television. Instead, we prefer to interact directly. This may certainly change as she gets older!
-
I just converted one into a flannel board! Take a look on how exactly the painting is mounted onto the frame. I decided to just wrap the existing painting in dark blue canvas, so the painting wouldn't show through. I was able to replicate the mountings (just small nail-like pins, which I bent getting it out) and BOOM ugly painting that sat in storage is now a fun flannel board.
Since I had a large size, I sewed a brown tree on (working with dark colors to hide the painting). I made fall colored leaves that dd LOVES putting on the tree and then making them all fall down. I plan to get some snowflakes for a winter scene.
-
1
-
-
Role playing things: doctor kit, firefighters dress up gear, etc
-
1
-
-
Nieces always get a homemade doll and book. This year it's Pete the Cat. Previous years have been Raggedy Ann, a bear with clothes to be either Corduroy or Paddington, and Piggie of Mo Willems's Elephant and Piggie series. Almost done, one Pete still needs a tail. But since I'm done so early, dd's Pete might get a yellow sweater...
After dd's very first Christmas, where she got a load of random, obnoxious noisy toys, I decided to come up with a plan. Santa (aka Dad) makes her one large present and grandparents and auntie buy accessories. This year, she's getting a puppet theater. Previous years, she's gotten a train table, dollhouse, and play kitchen. This works fabulously and we don't have random junky, less desired toys around the house.
Adults (I so wish I didn't have to buy for) get baskets of food. Fancy cookies and pasta.
-
1
-
-
We have a wooden play kitchen and a plastic work bench. Hate that plastic bench! It entertains dd, but the quality is definitely lacking. If you can afford it, wood looks so much nicer in the house and has fantastic resale value when your kids outgrow it.
-
1
-
-
I have a child like that. She wanted badly to read, but didn't have any of the precursor skills. We started on AAR pre, but it flopped. She didn't want a letter of the week type program, she wanted to READ! So I found some super repetitive books (like Brown Bear and Usbourne's That's Not My series) that she could memorize and "read" to me.
We're still working through our letters and sounds, but she doesn't consider that reading.
-
My child hates drawing/ painting, etc. One art project per week is all she'll tolerate. Each project (which takes a few days), I try to incorporate painting, gluing, cutting, and stickers (her favorite part, so we save this for the end)
Examples:
Snowman - used a qtip to paint snow, glued precut circles for snowmen, added puffy snowflake stickers
Jungle - variety of green paint, cut green grass fringe, puffy jungle animal stickers
Outer Space - glitter paint, glue sequins, space themes stickers
Sky - blue paint, cut sponges into cloud shaped stamps, puffy airplane stickers
I get my fancy stickers from the thrift store. Half a large bag from Oriental Trading for $1.
We don't do any formal lessons or picture study. At this point, I'm just trying to encourage pre-writing skills and allow experimentation.
-
My Disney fairy tale book includes Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, and Cinderella. My edition was published in 1974 (it was mine) and does not include any of the modern Disney princess stories. All include some line where the princess's main goal in life is to marry a prince. I want other goals for my daughter.
I haven't read any modern Disney stories. If they have created stories with strong, independent women then I would not be opposed to them.
-
We have AAR pre, but not HWOT. AAR has no fine motor work. We've added things like sandpaper letters, alphabet puzzles, making playdough letters, and (my fav) making cookies using letter cutters! AAR is more focused on identifying letters & sounds ahead of reading. No writing here. If you're looking for that, you'll need a different program or modify it yourself.
I also have a child with delays. She hates anything resembling writing or art. No messy fingers here! We've had some success with fingers in the sand and (oddly enough) sticks in the mud. I think mud outside is so far removed from her art at the table/easel that it can pass muster with her.
As such, we've taken WTM's recommendations to start with reading before writing to heart. Or maybe I'm just looking for excuses. As always, your mileage may vary!
-
In my limited experience, dd picks up bad manners from group classes. Having just a few (well chosen) friends for playdates seems to work better. We still let her attend group functions, but have to discuss why she can't do things that she sees other children doing.
Of course, your mileage may vary.
-
3
-
-
I always do a book and doll theme for the young ones. Last year, I made super cute crocheted pigs and elephants coupled witht Piggie and Gerald books. Before that, I did a bear that could be dressed as either Corduroy or Paddington. The first year was Raggedy Ann dolls.
But I've no idea what character to do this year!
-
1
-
-
I hate the clean/Disney versions for their portrayal of women. The original Anderson/Grimm versions are too grisly for my preschooler. I like Tatterhood, but it's just a collection of short stories. In a perfect world, I'd like a mix of text and pictures. Have you seen anything like that?
-
Well, we weren't enamored with AAR. We tried the pre level for dd who is struggling tremendously with her letters. The crafts are a large part of the program and were a complete bust over here.
Some reviewers loved the puppet. I must be the only one weirded out by a beheaded animal... We went with a different puppet, but the whole puppet idea is a flop here. He distracts dd and they go off dancing together.
Instead, we've taken a multipronged, hands on approach, customized to dd's interests (that's why we do homeschooling, right?) We do:
Small alphabet puzzle (M&D makes a board with two pieces, upper and lowercase, for each letter. Giving dd two boards with four pieces is WAY less frustrating than a 26 piece standard alphabet puzzle)
Bob books alphabet series
Build a letter (using a template and Duple LEGO blocks or wood pattern blocks)
Random alphabet books from the library (dd matches two puzzle letters to the letters in the book)
I suppose that's cheaper than AAR, if I had only known this was the direction we were going before buying it!
Do you have a kid who doesn't like extra curriculars?
in The Chat Board
Posted
One thing that hasn't been mentioned: try a different venue! For example, dd was very, very excited to take a music class. After the first class, her enthusiasm plummeted. After the session was up, we dropped it. A few months later, she was asking for music classes again. We tried with a different venue/teacher and that has made all the difference! Now she loves it!