I agree that many kids probably would not need not want a curriculum at a young age. Mine does. She loves everything about it. We have tried both ways, and allowing her to have a bit of structured school time is really helpful in keeping her happy and centered. I think many people have this idea that curriculum= child forced to slave away in tears! Here is a picture: we are currently on vacation in Hawaii. Our room at a massive resort overlooks the ocean and lots of swimming pools. It is the Aulani Disney resort so there are a million things for kids going on. My dd4 spent all morning swimming and running around, learning to Hula, collecting shells and snorkeling in the Pacific...but she asked to come back to the room for a rest, and she is curled in a chair overlooking all of that working in her Singapore math book. I am 'not allowed to come out until it is time to check!' Some kids just thrive on that focused curriculum. It is more independent, and she loves that. And yes, she started Singapore when she was three. You know your kid best...ignore the rest:)

My dd made up a little rhyme and ran around singing 'no -nk and no -ng for poor letter e!!!' At the top of her lungs for at least a week:)

My dd learned to count money very quickly, as well as to make change by doing one thing: I started carrying cash around, and payed for things when she was with me (or let her do it). If she counted the change correctly she got to keep it:). Eventually she started trying to figure out how much she will get back ahead of the cashier. We partner this with a trip to the dollar store or a place of her choice to spend it. We also play store, we have a LR cash register. Lots of games a well. We play a version of War I tried one day where you flip cards and make change mentally from a pre-arranged value bill. You could just as easily count out those values as a race. One of her favorite money games was called Money Bags. I think it is by LR as well. Time: I made our dd the official time keeper for the family activities. She has an analog watch and I give her random times. Occasionally we also played for chocolate chips...if you remind me at 6:47 I have a chocolate chip for you, lol. We also did not camp out in math until she got it, just worked it in. Oh! One other thing that really helped. I saw a Pinterest picture where they had made an inexpensive wall clock into a 'flower' by placing colored paper petals all the way around (taped one radiating at each number on the clock). Written on the petals are the minutes that correspond. You can attach a paper stem as well, with two leaves. One long, one short and write hours and minutes as a reminder.

This is exactly what I did, for a lot of reasons. I am convinced that adding the finger spelling adds a tactile component that is extremely helpful in learning to spell. And another benefit: my dd4 has really beautiful penmanship and can write well. I assumed it was because she is a perfectionist and because it is something she loves to do...but during both her neuropsych evals and one by an OT, both commented that the fine motor skills gained in ASL more than likely contributed greatly.

This totally made me laugh, because I absolutely think I have completely skewed expectations of what is 'normal' from the majority of even 'bright' public school students. My dd is an only, and most of my outside contacts for information come from this board. I honestly try VERY HARD not to mention or talk about anything remotely academic in casual conversations at places such as gymnastics, swim or piano lessons, especially not the 6 hr/week play school my dd went to. But it is virtually impossible to carry on the vaguest of conversations without a slip of some sort, either by me or my daughter when chimes in. Oh, but I have high hopes! At age 4, virtually none of her peers are reading or doing math the same way...I keep telling myself that in the next couple of years all of those kids will be reading and doing math, and learning a multitude of scientific facts, etc., and the difference will not be nearly as evident. Surely. (Please don't pop my bubble of denial at least for a whole longer, lol!)

Beautifully said. Even though my dd4 is very young (with a Dec bday so not technically eligible for Kindy until 2015) we have been looking at a part-time possibility within the public school system. But they have suggested starting a year early and allowing her to move to 3rd grade math with private LA instruction...and I KNOW that even though she will sit at the table with me and work long division problems, or play with geometry concepts for as long as I can handle it? Absolutely no way in hades could she sit at a desk in a classroom with kids twice her age and work. I also think it would be temporary at best as she would not cooperate with spending weeks learning something. So, definitely a mix between ability/HS opportunity leading to acceleration. At home I have the ability to let her run full speed ahead in any area (especially math, science and LA), but will also be able to pull back and revisit much more challenging and in-depth variations of elementary math when she gains a bit of maturity for extended problem solving. That would not be possible without homeschooling.

I just laughed out loud and woke up Hubby, oops! Okay, so it really isn't funny at all:). So glad he tried it out on you so that he could get an immediate appropriate response...and not save it for grandma or a neighbor in the street, KWIM? Man, the things kids pick up on. It is always that one line that you aren't expecting!

I agree, you will have trouble finding books that are truly funny within the guidelines you are looking for, as the realm of 'funny' for children that age tends to revolve around behavior they are recognizing as 'bad' or 'inappropriate'...that is WHY they find it funny! I think the better bet would be to define your absolutes. As in, what can you use as a learning lesson and what do you KNOW your kid will glom onto that you absolutely cannot tolerate. For me, that means that animals are often the main characters. My dd is able to separate animal behavior from that of humans in a way that allows her to better recognize the unacceptable. Sounds backwards, but she knows full well (after talks) what anthropomorphism and personification are...presenting 'bad' behavior to her in this way is slightly removed from people doing it--she sees the connection, recognizes it as funny both because it is inappropriate and that an animal is doing it, but does not seem to glom onto the behavior nearly as much. Convoluted? Definitely, but it gives her a way to consider behavior norms without assigning them to people and wanting to 'try them on for size!' So! Maybe try books with animal characters for awhile...Dick King-Smith, and something like the Mercy Watson series. They were the first beginning chapter books my kiddo took to bed independently, and she found them hilarious:)

These are the exact same antics my dd4 absorbed from the Fudge series and the Ramona Quimby books! I thought it would be a bit better as we are now reading Ramona Quimby, Age 8...nope! AND she is fascinated by Willa Jean, lol:)

I 1000x like this:) I have also felt like we are in the minority as far as our approach. We are using several programs, and whilst I hear how many gifted kids are accelerated by test and skipping repetition? That is NOT us. I have had my kiddo do each and every problem (spine is Singapore but we went through RS A and B first). My dd seems to love the problems, regardless of difficulty, as long as I keep a math strand going with 'new math.' So, for example we are working on fractions via Key to...and LoF, but she is still happy to work on faster recall for addition/subtraction and multiplication/division facts with (her words) 'easy-Peasy' worksheets. We play with Hands on Equations one day per week, and devote an hour/day at least to math games for fun. The point is, I do not think it is necessary to try to match up math programs, nor find opposite approaches. I do find that it works for us to have multiple strands going at once...this way she is content to work through innumerable problems encouraging automaticity whilst still allowing that exploring math spirit to flourish! I also incorporate new strands, concepts, history, etc via math read alouds, LoF, mathematician stories/biographies, things like a bedtime math, Penrose the Cat, Daily Math Stumpers, etc., in our regular schedule. These are just part of life, but definitely build a 'math culture.'

Great list:) British hubby and I watched a British series called 'Kill it, Cook it, Eat it' that is a nice addition to many of the books above. Very eye-opening, and it is very balanced. At the very, very least it encourages healthy eating, and intelligent informed choices

Ugh. That is horrible. And Hallimore...really? And what exactly is this ficticious 'absolutely pure blood Caucasion?' Is this really possible? Do they have a percentage, like >0.5 percent or your soul falls out? I think it would be hilarious (if I was involved in a task force) to have DNA profiles run on a few key individuals. It really does suck when the ignorant and obnoxious seem to drown out respect and tolerance...and even articles like this one only further their goals as it spreads the word of the reputation of the place. That way uh, like-minded (maybe like-nonminded?) beings are attracted and it scares decent people away:(

Absolulely! I actually thought that dress was completely sedate compared with some I saw this year.We made the mistake of going to the local Olive Garden recently and when we entered my dd4 was ecstatic: "Mommy, look, it's PRINCESS night at Olive Garden! Are they real princesses? Do you have a tiara? Why not? Is that boy your prince? You should not marry a boy you just met! ( thank you Frozen!)...and on and on... Until the very loud Mommy, that girl forgot her top! Look her bOOKs are out and she must be COLD! She needs a cape!" Cue every person in the waiting area to scope out the poor mortified girl:( We ate at Freebirds😳

Catherine- Many of the songs there are some of Tom Lehrer's best! When I was pregnant with my dd I stumbled upon a site where a guy had found all the original Lehrer vinyls in his parent's attic and put converted them to mp3. I downloaded them and played them for dd even in the womb because we are science nuts like that:) Sadly, the guy was forced to remove them from his site. I get it...but I hate that so many kids will miss out on SO many great science songs. A week doesn't go by when we haven't listened to them. Between tem and Peter Weatherall, my dd4 is a science song junkie! If anybody finds a complete Tom Lehrer science songs link, post it please!

Thanks, I just ordered a bunch of geography songs, grammar songs I think she will go NUTS for, and some history...as well as some headphones just in case:)

That is so cool! As an Army Vet who spent A LOT of time in the water I hope my kiddo is interested in something like this when she is older. I didn't even know they existed...what a great way for her to experience a bit of Army culture (ha!) AND get to swim, lol. Thanks for the heads up:)

Oh wow! That is gorgeous, my dd is going to love it. We are actually going to be in Hawaii that week, where she apparently will get to spend quite a bit of time with turtles--they are one of her favorite creatures:) Thanks for the heads up, such a great program.

I am glad you did:) We will be traveling through later this summer on our long road trip. I am trying to lay out at least rough ideas along the way, so this is great.

If you want fantastic math and science, try Peter Weatherall. You can get his entire CD/DVD packages for very cheap, (~$40) and worth every penny. He even has a new chemistry set out. Some of the videos are available on YouTube... http://www.kidsinglish.com/

I am trying to load up my dd4's IPod with new materials to help keep her busy during long flights and drives. I have a ton of audio books, SOTW, silly songs, etc., but she absolutely adores 'learning music.' I am all for that, except that much of it is absolutely dreadful😖 I have to be able to withstand the trauma. She loves Peter Weatherall math and science materials, Lyrical Science, Song School Spanish type stuff...and she can listen to old-school science songs like Tom Lehrer for hours. She sings all the CC skip-counting songs daily until I want to scream, like they are nursery rhymes, lol...as well as some she makes up herself. So this album by Shelley Murley has been one of her favorites for a couple of years. It is Montessori-style, general (so has a song on planets, states, Canadian Provinces, day/time, continents, oceans, etc.) It is calm, peaceful, and reasonably nice to listen to! I NEED more of it! Anyone have any favorites similar? Suggestions for something new? http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0019W16J2?pc_redir=1399542598&robot_redir=1

Thanks for the great ideas. And for the heads up on the submarines:(. I think that would have been one of dd''s favorites. I am going to call tomorrow and see what they say. Maybe if dd and I book a package at their hotel properties they will be able to better accomodate the situation. I see they have electric wheelchairs for rent, but in my experience these tend to be horridly uncomfortable things (am of course not fitted for the person!) so I really can't see that being an option. Looking through your lovely list and the mapped me realize just how much uh, wheeling I would be doing! Crazy:)

What a cool site, thanks! I actually found some great info on it for other planned adventures on this insane summer vacation of ours...when we leave California we have 4 weeks to drive around, sight-see, camp, etc...this will be a big help in planning!

Oh wow! Thank you so much for this link. I had no idea things had changed so much:( You know, it is hard enough being a disabled mom who is trying to do it...my kiddo has lots of options. Maybe not this time, but still...it frustrates that kids with disabilities get penalized for the stupidity of a few! And...I realized that even though public school may well not be out then in many places, it will be Memorial Day weekend. I would imagine it will be insanely busy:(

Unfortunately, no family that can help. Hubby's family lives in the UK and mine...are not dependable or able. Definitely going to call WDW vacations tomorrow. They arranged some of our Hawaii portion of the vacation at the Aulani resort (thanks to a WTM boardie rec!) and were wonderful. Maybe they will have some ideas for me. Or a high school student for rent! Hey, anybody in the area have a HS-age student they want to rent me for the day, lol?!

I agree about the rides. I am not about to let my very impulsive dd4 go on any rides without me! I AM able to transfer quite well and on my own...but it would wear on me. This would definitely be limiting and exhausting after awhile. And there are types of rides that would not be feasible for pain reasons. I would, as another poster suggested, lay out a plan of action as far as what we would so well ahead of time. I just keep thinking about all the what-ifs! And my child is, as I said, impulsive. She would not run off...but could easily get distracted and captivated by something. Also, she does not have the worlds best stamina for walking all day, lol. She will get tired and want to ride in my lap. I have not been to Disneyland since I was a child, but I remember it being HUGE then! The thought of wheeling around for hours with her in my lap as well? Ugh.