3Rivers Posted March 18, 2009 Share Posted March 18, 2009 (edited) [i realized after I wrote it that I'm not really looking for "open and go" but rather more of a reference book, idea book, activity or craft book.] Our preschool year is slipping by us so quickly. I have done various things with my little guy, but I'm looking for a book of hands-on projects and crafts to finish out the year with. Any suggestions? I bought Before Five in a Row but I'm not thrilled with it. A lot of it seems like things you just naturally do with a child when you read a book rather than things you actually plan. My son loves projects and art and things to do that he can display and be proud of. I just don't "get" the whole BFIAR ideas of "go outside and make some mud". My kids do that already and it seems silly to me to read "Going on a Bear Hunt" and then go find mud to squish in. Fun, but really I don't need a book to TELL me to do that, KWIM? Or read the book "Corduroy" and then look for a chance to go ride an escalator. Huh? That just doesn't work for me I guess. To me it is trying to create an experience with things that are best done as they just come up. I think I would rather just enjoy the stories rather than making them become part of something else. Anyway, I'm open to suggestions. This is my last preschooler, :crying: so I want to have some fun and do some things with him that make him smile. He also wants a "scrapbook" like his older siblings had in preschool that shows off all the cool things he did and made. So I need some cool "scrapbooking" moments, projects, crafts...etc. and preferably ALL in ONE or TWO books! So that I can quit searching the internet! LOL :bigear: Jamie Edited March 18, 2009 by 3Rivers mis-named Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs_JWM Posted March 18, 2009 Share Posted March 18, 2009 I just reserved this at our library, so I haven't actually seen it in person yet, but maybe you could try The instant curriculum : over 750 developmentally appropriate learning activities for busy teachers of young children. Here's a link to it as a Google book: http://books.google.com/books?id=7UBWOi_SGR8C&dq=The+instant+curriculum+:+over+750+developmentally+appropriate+learning+activities+for+busy+teachers+of+young+children&printsec=frontcover&source=bl&ots=nDy780oAx8&sig=u24e73M6qU2PP8tuRIslQ7bViqs&hl=en&ei=Z37BSYrcKYSPmQfP7qmjDw&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=1&ct=result#PPA1,M1 The preview shows quite a few pages, so maybe seeing it that way would be enough! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rafiki Posted March 18, 2009 Share Posted March 18, 2009 . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mama2girls Posted March 19, 2009 Share Posted March 19, 2009 I have felt the same way about B4FIAR and was pretty frustrated, but recently I found the website homeschoolshare.com. It is dedicated to FIAR and unit studies and has ideas for each book. It has been very helpful for me to "beef up" what the guide suggests. HTH:001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jail warden Posted March 19, 2009 Share Posted March 19, 2009 Here's an idea. It's books and some ideas with it. I've been using the 2yo one this year and really enjoy it. There are lots of different ideas on the website. I also got The Preschooler's Busy Book, it seems to have some fun ideas. I've just been glancing through for next year. HTH! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FO4UR Posted March 19, 2009 Share Posted March 19, 2009 I like the Kumon Pasting book. www.enchantedlearning.com has a bajillion crafty ideas for seasons and all. Our library has Mailbox books that I've used too - for reproducibles/craft ideas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TengoFive Posted March 19, 2009 Share Posted March 19, 2009 I love the ideas in Making the Most of the Preschool Years by Valerie Bendt. http://www.valeriebendt.com/MakingTheMostOfThePreschoolYears.aspx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Osaubi Posted March 19, 2009 Share Posted March 19, 2009 I really like this book: At the Zoo! . Actually any of the Little Hands books are good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nukeswife Posted March 19, 2009 Share Posted March 19, 2009 it's not specifically preschool but we did use The Complete book of Arts and Crafts when my dd was preschool age and had a lot of fun with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jen500 Posted March 19, 2009 Share Posted March 19, 2009 I found a few good ideas in the Mudpies to Magnets books. (I checked them out from the library) http://www.rainbowresource.com/product/Mudpies+to+Magnets/007640/1237474608-147161 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aurelia Posted March 19, 2009 Share Posted March 19, 2009 You might try some of the easier activities from FIAR (stuff from The Story About Ping or Madeline, etc). Berry Best Preschool has lots of art/craft projects. The Preschooler's Busy Book by Trish Kuffner looks good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caroline4kids Posted March 19, 2009 Share Posted March 19, 2009 I don't know if you have ever seen Queen Language Lessons, but my 4 year old just LOVES Language Lessons for Little Ones. I know it is supposed to be for language, but really it is more "artsy" at this age and allows them a lot of pretend play along with thinking skills. She has drawn lots of pictures to go with the lessons (inside the book) and it has made a really beautiful book of memories. Yesterday she drew herself swinging on our tree swing as part of her lesson.She adores the picture study, telling stories about the pictures, and the poems. It is a workbook, but much prettier and definitely more creative. She decorates each lesson with stickers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Veritaserum Posted March 19, 2009 Share Posted March 19, 2009 We've been enjoying What Your Preschooler Needs to Know and the accompanying activity books (one and two). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Osaubi Posted March 19, 2009 Share Posted March 19, 2009 I don't know if you have ever seen Queen Language Lessons, but my 4 year old just LOVES Language Lessons for Little Ones. I know it is supposed to be for language, but really it is more "artsy" at this age and allows them a lot of pretend play along with thinking skills. She has drawn lots of pictures to go with the lessons (inside the book) and it has made a really beautiful book of memories. Yesterday she drew herself swinging on our tree swing as part of her lesson.She adores the picture study, telling stories about the pictures, and the poems. It is a workbook, but much prettier and definitely more creative. She decorates each lesson with stickers. My dd loves this too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loupelou Posted March 19, 2009 Share Posted March 19, 2009 I know we enjoyed The Little Hands Art Book, The Little Hands Big Fun Craft Book, and Kids Create. These had fun and simple projects using many things you will have around the house. :001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
even_star Posted March 19, 2009 Share Posted March 19, 2009 I also enjoy using "The Absolute Best Play Days: From Airplanes to Zoos (And Everything in Between!). This book has 52 different thems, with suggested books, videos, crafts, snacks, etc. We're on Pirates right now and my soon absolutely loves it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sarahli Posted March 19, 2009 Share Posted March 19, 2009 (edited) I just reserved this at our library, so I haven't actually seen it in person yet, but maybe you could try The instant curriculum : over 750 developmentally appropriate learning activities for busy teachers of young children. Here's a link to it as a Google book: http://books.google.com/books?id=7UBWOi_SGR8C&dq=The+instant+curriculum+:+over+750+developmentally+appropriate+learning+activities+for+busy+teachers+of+young+children&printsec=frontcover&source=bl&ots=nDy780oAx8&sig=u24e73M6qU2PP8tuRIslQ7bViqs&hl=en&ei=Z37BSYrcKYSPmQfP7qmjDw&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=1&ct=result#PPA1,M1 The preview shows quite a few pages, so maybe seeing it that way would be enough! Preschool Plus uses that book as part of the program. I'm thinking of using this one. It has a ton of reading, which is important since we already read at least 3 short books a day. It is mainly secular, although it has a reading from "blessings every day" (not sure of the title) but we will be leaving that out. eta- there is a Christian appendix you can purchase to go with the program for those that want to include Bible curriculum. Edited March 19, 2009 by sarahli Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ELaurie Posted March 19, 2009 Share Posted March 19, 2009 Fun With the Alphabet by Evan Moore. It provides a coloring page, a recipe, a story, a craft project, and other ideas for each letter of the alphabet. The lines for handwriting are too small, IMO, so we didn't do those, but the rest was a lot of fun. Most of the craft projects require only construction paper and a glue stick, so they are easy to make (I cut all of the parts in advance, because my dc weren't ready for all of the cutting when they were in preschool). We hung them on bedroom doors and closet doors all over the house and left them up for about a year - they were very, very cute projects! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3Rivers Posted March 19, 2009 Author Share Posted March 19, 2009 Thanks, everyone! A lot of great ideas. I'll be checking into those over the weekend. Jamie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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