Preschool for THIS child

[chefgirl96]

This will be my second child to start homeschooling, but she is so much different than the first, I'm at a loss as to WHAT actually to do. I'm hoping if I describe her personality/what she likes to learn, someone can guide me as to particular activities/curricula I could use:

 

*loves to SORT. Even from a very early age. Will spend 30m-1h sorting a bag of trail mix, cereal colors, etc.

 

*can see "patterns" in things. Can make & duplicate patterns.

 

*loves puzzles. Just turned 4 and enjoys working on 100 piece puzzles. Sometimes it almost seems like the harder, the better.

 

*does enjoy workbooks, mostly matching or thinking type exercises.

 

*energetic. Karate is a perfect fit for her. Always jumping off couches.

 

*loves baking, digging, running, playing outside.

 

*loves stickers & enjoys Highlights Puzzle books.

 

*enjoys doing Brainquest cards together.

 

*loud, spunky personality.

 

*hasn't "naturally" picked up on things like colors, letters, number recognition, etc.:001_huh:

 

**As for me the mom: I am familiar with FIAR {I love using good books!} and HOD and will be switching older DD to MFW this fall. I am due with a baby this summer. I *can* do some planning, which I enjoyed with FIAR and piecing things together, but REALLY loved the open-and-go nature of HOD.

 

I am considering LHTH because it's open & go, especially good with having a newborn. Is this hands-on enough? How can I harness her strengths to facilitate learning all her letters/numbers/colors/shapes?

 

Thank you in advance from a long-time lurker!:blush:

[Aurelia]

You might look at some of the recommendations for the visual-spatial learners on another thread, since that seems to be her learning type. Maybe you could get the Baby Einstein video on colors and she could watch it with your toddler. This was how my daughter first got started with learning the names for colors, plus it kept her mostly out of trouble so I could cook dinner. Otherwise, just work with her, ask for specific colored things (or ask her to find that can with the T on it, or 3 M&Ms), I'm sure she'll pick it up quickly. Some kids just need a little more direction at first.

 

I don't know anything about HOD or MFW, but FIAR has been great for my very active daughter.

[Spy Car]

My son is very much like this.

 

Loves puzzles. "Mighty Mind" and "Super Mind" have been fun for him (if somewhat over priced).

 

Tangrams have been fun.

 

Lori D has posted an amazing list of wonderful sites that have mazes, and critical thinking games and the like. I'll link:

 

http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/showthread.php?t=76964

 

Playing with Cuisenaire Rods (math manipulatives), starting with Miquon math and Singapore Earlybird has really worked for us. And MEP (Mathematics Enrichment Programme), a free downloadable British/Hungarian math program is something you may want to explore for the future (it's all about patterns).

 

I hate to recommend "electronic media" but the Leapfrog Talking Words Factory, and Talking Letter Factory I & II DVDs are simply brilliant! The companion Math Circus might also serve you.

 

Enjoy yourselves :001_smile:

 

Bill

[Rosie_0801]

Math on the Level might be a good program for you. It's very hands on and comes with a concept chart so you can skip around topics as you like, without missing anything. That way you could move onto more advanced concepts in practical, real life ways, even if she can't handle them on paper yet.

 

Rosie

[Karen in CO]

What is it that you expect her to accomplish during preschool?

 

I have always been very skeptical of the US idea of preschool. I have heard parents of public school kids worrying if they had their kids in the "right" preschool so that they wouldn't be behind when they got to kindergarten. Just a very weird idea to me.

 

I love this definition of preschool done by the Singapore Ministry of Education, it covers their goals for school for kids aged 4-6.

 

The highlights of the report :

The daily programme of each level includes learning activities that develop language and literacy skills, basic number concepts, simple science concepts, social skills, creative and problem solving skills, appreciation of music and movement and outdoor play. Children will learn in two languages, English as the first language and Chinese, Malay or Tamil as a Mother Tongue language.

 

At the end of pre-school education, children will:

 

Know what is right and what is wrong

Be willing to share and take turns with others

Be able to relate to others

Be curious and be able to explore

Be able to listen and speak with understanding

Be comfortable and happy with themselves

Have developed physical co-ordination and healthy habits

Love their family, friends, teachers and kindergarten

 

 

So back to my first question. What is the goal of preschool for you? Once you have clearly defined your goals, it will be easier to pick a program or a set of activities that accomplish that goal. It is seems impossible to look at all the choices and pre-planned programs and choose just one or just part of a few.

 

I am more in the camp of letting preschoolers just play until they are closer to the age of 6. I provide lots of hands-on activities and try to encourage creative and imaginative play. We also have lots of stories, art activities, and numeracy activities mixed in with nature and plenty of field trips. Of course none of that stops me from sometimes thinking that she won't be ready for Kindergarten and will never get into college because I let her play for too many years. ;)

[chefgirl96]

We do have the Talking Letters & Word Factory, so I will just need to remember to pull that out to actually use it!

 

Thanks for the link to the thread about the mazes & critical thinking. I will look into that as soon as I can!!

 

@Karen:

 

I can't thank you enough for the reminder to clarify my goals. Great advice! I'm not one of those "right preschool"/aggressive teaching at a young age-type moms. I do have more of a simple scope in mind such as letter/number/shape/color recognition. It sounds like with all the various activities you offer your child, you are a wonderful preschool curriculum in and of yourself!! I'm feeling prompted to start a list/bin/workboxes with different activities to offer......