Home Preschool

We're doing a little preschool at home, and I thought I'd share what we're doing.  I'm a complete novice at homeschooling, so maybe you guys can help me figure it out as I go.

We have our formal school time in the morning right after breakfast because the girls are both willingly sitting at the table, and we're all still in good moods.  It's a great way to start the day, and always puts me in a productive mood.  It usually lasts 15 minutes to an hour, depending on how much fun they're having.  Each week we focus on a letter and most of our projects relate to the letter.  Every day, I hang their coloring projects on the wall next to the table, so we can talk about them at dinner when John gets home.  I also try to make sure I work in other activities during the day, which I guess is more like unschooling.  But it helps me to remember to do them if I make it part of our pre-school goal.

Some of our resources and activities:

• my Phonics Coloring Book, and the full size sheets 
• listen to a weekly bible reading and a corresponding Bible coloring page 
• Letter Virtue coloring pages (sweet drawings by another homeschooling mom)
• free coloring pages from here or here
• painting letters on large scale, and just paint for fun.  This is how I taught L to write her name, she's really into black.
• read together for about 30 minutes
• constructive play (legos, play dough, or playing outside)
• pickup toys and put away plates at meal times

I also love the ideas I've read in The Creative Family: How to Encourage Imagination and Nurture Family Connections by Amanda Soule.  Since reading this lovely book, we've found more ways to incorporate the arts and learning into our home.  I especially enjoy our ever growing dress up basket and our art center.  Plus, it made me realize the immense value of the time we spend playing outside.