What's a good Preschool Homeschool program?

[PirateQueen]

If you google preschool curriculum, preschool lesson plans and preschool printables, you will be amazed at the amount of info there is out there. Don't forget to check the TV websites like PBSKids or NickJr and look for the parents/educators button, there are usually printables and activities with thier favorite TV characters. Crayola has printables for free on their website along with lesson plans.

[GJohnson39]

IMHO, 2 is a too young for worksheets.

2-3 yr olds love to use measuring spoons and cups. Letting them transfer dry (beans, flour, m&ms) and wet (water w/or w/o food coloring) things from 1/4 t to 1/2 t to 1 t to 1/4 c to 1/2 c to 1 c teaches a lot of math (quantity, progressions, patterns, pre-math math vocabulary)and fine motor skills. Shaving cream painting is a great motor skill activity, is easy to clean up, and makes everything smell great!


Guessing games (how many pretzel nubs in a baby food jar vs. how may lentils in a similar baby food jar) develop estimating and math concept skills about quantity and size.

Pointing to the words as you read to them (w/ child in your lap) develops the connection between what you are saying and what is on the page. I found that over time the girls started pointing to the words themselves as they recited the words (memorizing the story verbatum is a pre-reading skill), then started identifying the same words in different books. The final step to reading was so smooth and natural and the girls weren't frustrated by doing worksheets at too young an age.

I never used a preplanned curriculum, I just READ EVERYTHING POSSIBLE to my kids and took every opportunity to let my DD's get hands on math based experiences. Both girls were reading at a 3rd grade level by the time they went to K, and both have been accelerated in math since the 2nd grade - not because they are brilliant but because they were exposed to reading and math ALL THE TIME from the age they showed interest in learning.

You don't have to spend extra money to do any of these things.

[mom2lucas]

Originally Posted by GJohnson39 IMHO, 2 is a too young for worksheets. 2-3 yr olds love to use measuring spoons and cups. Letting them transfer dry (beans, flour, m&ms) and wet (water w/or w/o food coloring) things from 1/4 t to 1/2 t to 1 t to 1/4 c to 1/2 c to 1 c teaches a lot of math (quantity, progressions, patterns, pre-math math vocabulary)and fine motor skills. Shaving cream painting is a great motor skill activity, is easy to clean up, and makes everything smell great! Guessing games (how many pretzel nubs in a baby food jar vs. how may lentils in a similar baby food jar) develop estimating and math concept skills about quantity and size. Pointing to the words as you read to them (w/ child in your lap) develops the connection between what you are saying and what is on the page. I found that over time the girls started pointing to the words themselves as they recited the words (memorizing the story verbatum is a pre-reading skill), then started identifying the same words in different books. The final step to reading was so smooth and natural and the girls weren't frustrated by doing worksheets at too young an age. I never used a preplanned curriculum, I just READ EVERYTHING POSSIBLE to my kids and took every opportunity to let my DD's get hands on math based experiences. Both girls were reading at a 3rd grade level by the time they went to K, and both have been accelerated in math since the 2nd grade - not because they are brilliant but because they were exposed to reading and math ALL THE TIME from the age they showed interest in learning. You don't have to spend extra money to do any of these things.

These are all great ideas that we have incorporated into our daily routines for quite some time. He counts everything he sees (books at the library, dog treats as he feeds the dog, etc.). He helps me bake and use the measuring cups. We read several books a day and take frequent trips to the library. We play learning games on several websites as well.

[gr8tdiva]

This is a great thread!

I have b/g twins that will be 3 in June.

I spend time explaining EVERYTHING we are doing and have THEM explain it too. When they say "what's that?" I make THEM tell me. Usually they know. We've worked on letter recognition already with flashcards and by reading. They can recite the ABC's but I work with them at recognition out of order then they aren't learning by rote.

We do a lot of puzzles which helps them with shapes too. I've taught them basic shapes (triangle, circle, semi-circle, rectangle, square, oval) and try to relate it to real life objects.

For math type learning we do a lot of cooking in the kitchen. THey like to help me bake and even though they aren't actually doing the measuring, I'll let them observe me pouring things into the measuring cups. I know they are too young to learn that but it's never to early to just tell them about things. We also play games with their pretend food and they will add or take away and then say how many are left. The important thing at this age is to make it FUN!!

I like that starfall.com I never had seen that website before. I am trying to get my hands on an extra computer so we can do some computer games at home. My kids love going to the library every week to play with the computer!!

A funny thing happened a few days ago when I had to go to Walmart. My DD yells out "there's a W and an M" so I figured I must be doing something right, lol!

It's important too to let them be kids but never too young to learn! Although a childs work is play!

Thanks again for this thread!

[mom2lucas]

A book that was recommended to me was The Preschool Giant Step Ahead Workbook. It is sold at Staples for $5.99, but I haven't been able to find it online. I'm going to look for it tonight.