Question for workbox users

[Guest smurf29]

We've been casually having "school" time off and on for the past year, because my 4 year old BEGS for it. When I set up activities for our school time, I use workboxes (the 10 drawer cart) with Velcro numbers on them. I put one activity per drawer, and usually only fill 5 drawers. I LOVE the organizational aspect of workboxes, it's so easy to set multiple activities up and be prepared ahead of time. I would love to continue using them. My problem is my son will get his first workbox out, and even though it's something he's super interested in, he'll rush through it or not even attempt to complete just because he's so excited to find out what's in the next box. His enthusiasm is great, but it's causing him to not focus at all. I mean, of course I realize at this age, it's all just for fun anyway. But the things I'm putting in each box ARE fun, and I think if he would focus for just a minute, he would really enjoy each box and get the most out of each activity. It'd be different if he were wanting to put the box away because he was frustrated or not interested, but it's really just because he wants to move on to the next box sooo badly. I've tried showing him what's in each box before we begin at all, to take away the element of surprise, but that almost makes it worse, because if there's something he's especially looking forward to, he really can't take his mind off of it.

 

So anyway, anyone else experience this or have any advice?

[Arcadia]

But the things I'm putting in each box ARE fun, and I think if he would focus for just a minute, he would really enjoy each box and get the most out of each activity.

....

. I've tried showing him what's in each box before we begin at all, to take away the element of surprise, but that almost makes it worse, because if there's something he's especially looking forward to, he really can't take his mind off of it.

Unfortunately if you would like a 4 year old to focus on a box, than having four other boxes are going to be distracting. Regardless how fun that box is, most kids that age would be distracted by the other "goodies"

If you want to do five boxes, than show him all five and let him pick which one to start on and push the cart out of his sight. When my boys were that age, they pick what they want to do first, go to their "cozy corner" and finish that. When they are done or bored, they pick the next task. That help them to focus on the task at hand.

[Guest smurf29]

Unfortunately if you would like a 4 year old to focus on a box, than having four other boxes are going to be distracting. Regardless how fun that box is, most kids that age would be distracted by the other "goodies"

If you want to do five boxes, than show him all five and let him pick which one to start on and push the cart out of his sight. When my boys were that age, they pick what they want to do first, go to their "cozy corner" and finish that. When they are done or bored, they pick the next task. That help them to focus on the task at hand.

 

 

That gives me good perspective, sometimes I just need someone else to tell me what should seem obvious about a 4 year old haha. I really like the idea of letting him choose which activity to do first. We might be able to turn that into an activity of its own actually. He's very anal, and even though he skips through the boxes quickly, he does want to go in order. So maybe I could have him rearrange them to the order he wants to do them and then re-Velcro the numbers in order. Sounds right up his alley! Unfortunately, just hiding the cart out of sight (as much as I would like that to work) wouldn't work for him. He then would be distracted by the urge to go hunt for the cart. He's extremely persistent haha.

 

Are his favorites predictable? Could you always put what you think he'll like best behind Door #1?

 

Could you use a sand timer or other timer and ask him to keep working on a task until a certain amount of time has passed?

 

 

Oooh I like the idea of a timer! He's REALLY into time right now, so I bet that would be so much fun for him. Thank you!

[Walking-Iris]

I say allow him to go through the activities at his pace even if you feel that he's rushing. Also I would leave the activities available all day. Tell him that he can go back and do any of the drawers throughout the day whenever he likes, any order. He's excited by the system. That seems to be what he's learning right now. So let him do that. The novelty may wear off.

 

Alternatively you could just do weekly boxes. Fill them with activities that would last all week. You could use folders to separate out the activities, let him work them in whatever order he needs to.

[lea_lpz]

 

Unfortunately if you would like a 4 year old to focus on a box, than having four other boxes are going to be distracting. Regardless how fun that box is, most kids that age would be distracted by the other "goodies"

If you want to do five boxes, than show him all five and let him pick which one to start on and push the cart out of his sight. When my boys were that age, they pick what they want to do first, go to their "cozy corner" and finish that. When they are done or bored, they pick the next task. That help them to focus on the task at hand.

 

 

I don't do work boxes but when my son does preschool time we typically do a workbook page, a hands on activity and book with activity / discussion or some sort of multisensory letter activity. I let him pick what he'd like to do first. They have a sense of control in that way. Giving a child this age some sort of control over something small is always good. I don't have everything out though because it tends to distract him very quickly.

[ItoLina]

I made boxes for my 3 year old dd so she would have stuff to keep her occupied while I do school with ds. I made one box for each day of the week. Each box has 3 or 4 things in it. She gets that box and works through everything in what ever order and what ever pace she likes. It seems to work well. At this point I figure whatever activity she chooses she is learning something and I don't really have an agenda for her "school time" yet, so I am just happy she is occupied so I can get through phonics and math with ds.

 

I would suggest just letting your son pick the order of the boxes. Also, he may rush through everything, but them he could go back to things, right? DD often quickly goes through everything in her box, then goes back and does one thing for a longer amount of time.

[FromA2Z]

I would agree to let him do the boxes in any order and for as long as he wants with the ability to go back to a box if he desires. It may be the newness/excitement that is making him rush towards things. (You didn't say how long you were using this system). He may take longer once he is used to it. When he is older and starting to progress to more formal studies you may want to use a timer if his rushing has not improved by then.

 

My ds5 had total reign with workboxes when he was younger. (I didn't incorporate numbers until we introduced K work in phonics and math.) My ds3 hasn't had that luxury because he works on boxes while my eldest does lessons. And we all switch "boxes" at the same time. However, I often put a couple of activities in each box if he works on one or both - I don't care. If he wants to walk away and play on the floor quietly - I don't care. I will also "switch" boxes to something else if he asks. ( I have the IKEA trofast system and have all our activities in boxes - so even if it is not in his lineup/shelf for the day, I can go to my shelves and pull it down and give it to him. So if I gave him pegs and he wants pattern blocks, I can easily switch.) Each box/lesson last about 10 minutes unless it is a project we are working on together.