throughpagesandfields Posted March 2, 2014 Share Posted March 2, 2014 My little one is much more, I guess "capable" than my first was at 2 years old. I'm doing K with the older next year, but I'm trying to find something I can do as just a little part of our day that both could participate in. We're pretty Charlotte Masony - so except for tons of educational experiences and being outside a lot I haven't been too scheduled or planned up until now... but I feel like the little one is ready for some more focused or themed activity... Older's year is mostly planned out... I've never used FIAR... I thought about trying BFIAR for them both together? I know I could come up with stuff myself... but I'm mostly designing the rest of their curriculum... and I have a full plate next year... so I want something that's just sort of fun and open and go... Sorry if this has been covered a lot. I can usually find a thread that asks exactly what I want to ask... but couldn't this time! :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThursdayNext Posted March 2, 2014 Share Posted March 2, 2014 I have a just turned 3 year old and a 5 year old. We tried FIAR, but dropped it due to the baby, now 11 mo. The stories were fine, but most of the activities were beyond a 3 year old, though he enjoyed them. My 3 yo. boy does not like structure, so we don't do too much, including him in hymns and prayer, crafts- cutting, coloring, play dough, and doing songs with hand motions and exercises together when my daughter needs a 15 min break. He recognizes all the letters & knows primary sounds, recognizes numbers 0-9 and can do some kindergarten math just from watching his sister. But he won't do any of this if I try to sit him down formally. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
throughpagesandfields Posted March 4, 2014 Author Share Posted March 4, 2014 Thank you for writing! I have a feeling she'll be one who just picks up stuff from watching the older one and I. She'll sit with us and participate for a bit, then wander off and find mischief...Right now I'm planning on trying to do some song/finger play, morning basket kind of time that hopefully she'll like. Maybe I should just pick a letter, shape of the week... Just something that felt like "her" time... I guess I can plan something.. it just sounds so nice having something that I don't have to plan! :) I might try to get better at doing crafty things that she could join in with... I'm not always good at getting those things done and planning for them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftyerin Posted March 4, 2014 Share Posted March 4, 2014 double post, sorry! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftyerin Posted March 4, 2014 Share Posted March 4, 2014 BFIAR could work. We never used it, so I have no experience personally, but I know that on the FIAR FB page or forum, that's the answer you'd get if you asked that question. It gets asked a lot. ;) We are happy FIAR users, but that's definitely 4-5+, not for 3yos. There is a full downloadable unit on the FIAR website that you could try and see if it's what you're looking for. I think it's for Goodnight Moon? Seems like a book that most everyone has, so it makes a good trial. http://fiveinarow.com/before-five-in-a-row/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2queens&1princenmyhouse Posted March 4, 2014 Share Posted March 4, 2014 http://www.kristinscraftsforkids.blogspot.com Prepackaged craft kits for preschoolers. Each craft comes with a book suggestion (or two) and an extra activity that you could do to enrich the experience. It's not really "school-y" but would give your younger DD something special to do without the formal schooling aspect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lea_lpz Posted March 4, 2014 Share Posted March 4, 2014 My ds tagged along for mfw k when dd was 5 and he had just turned 3. He did everything but the seat work and it was great. We also did BFIAR with him but kept it simple since he was already doing mfw k as a tag along. I think BFIAR would be perfect for the 3 year old but probably too simple for a 5 year old. You could have a 3 year old tag along with FIAR but expect them not to get everything the older one does. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Syllieann Posted March 4, 2014 Share Posted March 4, 2014 My 3&5 yo's did Kristin's kit together and enjoyed it. We were able to fold a lot of discussion in. I admit that I didn't get to it as often as I wanted because my high needs 9 month old has not been very cooperative. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris in VA Posted March 5, 2014 Share Posted March 5, 2014 How about process-based art? The book, Creative Art for the Developing Child is a gem. Each child could work at their own level. For the younger, it's basic shape/color/fine motor and expression. For the older, it's an introduction to the elements of art, and a good chance to work with a variety of materials. There's no right way for the art to turn out, as it is art, not craft; art comes from inside the child and is not product-oriented. Some ideas: (By month) September Shape--Circle Color--(emphasize) Red Book--Mary Wore Her Red Dress Art experiences: Easel (large brush) and fingerpaint with red on plain paper (always finger paint on a cookie sheet or tray, then press a sheet of paper on the painting gently and lift to make a print, instead of painting directly on the paper) Cut a circle out of the paper leaving a hole, and offer paint (any color) Circle collage--use circles made in various sized and cut out of construction paper on any color paper--you can add other circles, like reinforcements stickers, but they are hard to work with. Older will probably make something, younger will just enjoy the circles and gluing. Red collage--glue various red objects to a paper plate (circle)--puff balls, red bottle caps, red scraps, an old red pencil or crayon stubb, etc. Oct: Yellow/Orange Shape: Square Book: Red Leaf, Yellow Leaf Art Experiences: Finger paint with yellow and red to make orange Roll an orange around a shoe box using red or yellow or orange paint on red/yellow/orange paper (color depends on paint choice, cut the paper to fit the bottom of the box Square collage on a square (cut various sizes of squares out of different construction papers, scrapbook paper, foil, newspaper, etc. Cutting (for older)--cut on the lines--go around a square getting smaller and smaller but not cutting off anything--makes a kind of spring when you get close to the center--this is fun with a circle, too. Little one can cut, too, just snipping, or tearing and then gluing the pieces to a square. Nov Colors: Brown and Blue and Green Shape: Pennant (like a triangle but sideways--leads to sequencing by size and makes a nice abstract cornucopia)--call it a triangle, though. Book: something Thanksgiving-y is nice, and so is Little Blue And Little Yellow Art Experiences Finger paint with blue and yellow (makes green) Blue, yellow, red circles of several sizes glued to a pennant. Older one will probably sequence by size, but no one has to Print circles of the various colors on a pennant shape using shallow paper plates with toilet paper tubes Food prints: apples, celery, pears, etc make good shapes for printing placemats. Use a bright yellow and nice clear RYBO colors. Dec Shape: Triangle Color: Green/Purple (Obviously this is suited to making Christmas trees and Christmas stuff, but you can do silver and gold, or whatever is in your tradition) Book: nothing specific Art Experiences Collage on a triangle Easel paint or floor paint on a large triangle Finger paint to make purple Do you want me to go on? Is this helpful? Drive matchbook-type cars on large pieces of paper; where they cross you can see the colors combine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
throughpagesandfields Posted March 5, 2014 Author Share Posted March 5, 2014 So very helpful! I might for fun just try the Goodnight Moon BFIAR unit... as a check-in... and really like the idea of themed art sessions. Very very cool! I just put in my used book order last night... I might have to find that one too! Thank you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CherryBlossomMJ Posted March 8, 2014 Share Posted March 8, 2014 We did MP JrK with DD1 when she was just turing three and it was a hit. Very open and go, I just skipped the crafts (but I'm just not animal/book theme crafty kind of person). It's set up for two days a week and not too overwhelming but a decent introduction. Learn to identity and write letters and numbers (0-20). Plus great book choices and discussions. http://forums.welltrainedmind.com/topic/463949-reviews-for-memoria-press-jr-kindergarten-and-kindergarten/?do=findComment&comment=5524143 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.