Revisions/Updates to WTM 1st ed. "Birth to Three" Suggestions?

[Guest Eric from WI]

This is my first post in this forum.

 

I bought the first edition of WTM a decade ago, many years before I even met my wife, in the hope that I might some day have children. My wife is now 5 months pregnant with triplets.

 

I recently looked through my copy of WTM and was reviewing what it said regarding "Preschool: Birth to Three" (1st ed., pp. 57-59). Unfortunately, I have been unemployed for a while and cannot afford to spring for a copy of the latest edition at the moment. So, I was wondering if anyone can tell me whether or not there has been any significant revision to, or updating of, the "Birth to Three" material, in particular.

 

Along the lines of that question, is June R. Oberlander's Slow and Steady, Get Me Ready (p. 70 lists a 1992 2nd ed.; I see Amazon currently lists a 2002 4th ed.) still the resource of choice and/or are there other resources to consider for the youngest age range?

 

Thanks,

 

Eric from WI

[Susan in KY]

Hi, Eric,

 

I am sorry, I don't have a recent addition, but I had to chime in to say that even if Slow and Steady, Get me Ready is NOT among the recommendations, I would get it anyway. It's one of those timeless volumes, and my dc LOVED the activities. Plus, they were easy and inexpensive to make and do.

 

All the best, and congrats on your babies!

 

Susan

[M&M]

I cannot put my hands on my copy right now, but I think that the Birth to Three section has not changed. You get a lot of bang for you buck with that book.

 

Btw, I think it is very cool that you purchased WTM before you married! Many of us wish our dh would have the time to read it. Hope you find a great job and that all goes well with the babies!

[cathmom]

With triplets you're not going to have time to think, let alone implement anything LOL! (I know, I have twins).

 

I would wait about two years before you think about anything like this. Love your babies, don't stress, and get all the sleep you can.

 

Congrats!

[cathmom]

All right, I just checked. The original edition and the latest edition are virtually word for word the same in the "Birth to 3" section. The only difference I saw was that in the original, it calls Slow and Steady a "birth to age 4" guide, and the latest is corrected to say "birth to age 5" because it goes up to the week before the child turns five.

[Elizabeth in MN]

I no longer have my first edition book, but the third edition looks like it hasn't changed at all in third edition. Yes, SWB does still suggest the Slow and Steady book.

[Aubrey]

I couldn't stand S&S! And I bought WTM as soon as I found it--when I was expecting #1. Like pp said, though--I can't imagine trying to schedule much w/ triplets.

 

I got the books I've loved best from the library first & eventually bought them used. Although it can be annoying, it's so much better to see if you DON'T like something before you've bought it.

 

Good luck & congratulations!!

[Rosie_0801]

I couldn't stand S&S!

 

I couldn't stand it either. I'm not even sure why I haven't got rid of it yet. My dd hasn't been willing to do any of the activities, and I didn't even try most of them because I knew she'd find them insulting. If you still think you want it, OP, pm me your address and I'll send it to you without even charging you for international postage.

 

You don't really want it. Firstly, for the first year or two of their lives, after the mandatory feeding and changing, you'll have the energy for little more than lying on the ground talking to them. Secondly, even if you spend two years lying on the floor talking to them and little else, they'll still turn out just fine.

 

Congratulations. You're life is going to be an eventful one!

 

:)

Rosie

[Lolly]

With triplets you're not going to have time to think, let alone implement anything LOL! (I know, I have twins).

 

I would wait about two years before you think about anything like this. Love your babies, don't stress, and get all the sleep you can.

 

Congrats!

 

Umm, yes, this. :iagree: Honestly, don't worry about educating those babies. Just try to get the basic needs met, sleeping, and taking some fun trips to the zoo and children's museums. Talk to them, play with them, read to them, love them. They will be just fine. Multiples are great fun!!!

Edited August 8, 2010 by Lolly

[bettyandbob]

congratulations. I didn't get the first ed of WTM until my oldest was entering 1st and I don't think we missed out. You could check out S&S from the library and try some stuff. Otherwise, I'd focus on the basics, read to them a lot from day 1, talk to them and get on the floor and play (that would be after the feeding, changing and bathing, if you haven't completely dropped from exhaustion).

[Terabith]

Implementing a classical education would be far, far from my mind if I were expecting triplets, and actually I'm not wild about her "Birth to Three" section. Slow and Steady has a lot of neat activities, but I could never use it as planned. I'd focus on figuring out feeding and sleeping....I'd read the mothering.com board for multiple families. They have some great suggestions there. The one thing I might suggest is the Itsy Bitsy Yoga book. I really think it helped my dd develop her motor skills; it was a fun way to spend time together (along with baby massage), and it helped her sleep. That was a biggie!

 

As they get older, I'd look into Montessori for the toddler/ preschool years, and focus on developing large and small motor skills and language/ read alouds (Read Aloud Handbook is great). I love Montessori because it promotes concentration, coordination, a sense of order, and independence.

[kalanamak]

I couldn't stand S&S!

 

 

Me neither. I did like

http://www.amazon.com/Developing-Early-Learner-Level-1/dp/0940406012

 

but it doesn't start at birth. Open your eyes to the functioning of the tiny new organism in front of you, let your primitive memories surface, exercise your deliciously human ability to see something from another's point of view, and be alert to Baby's response, and you will do fine. It can be done via "the heart" and it can be done via "the mind". Whatever path you find rewarding.

 

(and let us say "Boom Shanka" in celebration of my most mystical post ever)

[lailasmum]

A close friend of mine has triplets. They are boys and 7 at the moment. She also has an older daughter who is 8. Life is pretty busy I think. The boys flexi school, they are in the local primary school 2 days a week and home ed the rest of the week.

 

They use WTM in a flexible way, picking and choosing the elements that suit them but in a relaxed manner. I think she finds that their days are pretty full. I do know that she tries to take full advantage of free activities run by local museums, libraries, country parks, national trust etc so they get to do external activites for a lot less money. I think having triplets comes with its own challenges, they are a force of nature.

[Melissa in Australia]

This is my first post in this forum.

 

I bought the first edition of WTM a decade ago, many years before I even met my wife, in the hope that I might some day have children. My wife is now 5 months pregnant with triplets.

 

 

Eric from WI

 

 

congratulations!

 

you sound a little like my husband. He bought the property we live because it looked the perfect place to raise children, he then went looking for a wife (me) to have children with.