2.01.2011

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.

5 comments:

  1. I've been doing preschool at home with my daughter too. Here's a website I have found very helpful, with tons of preschool activities and crafts:

    http://www.first-school.ws/

    My favorite thing on there is all the printable crafts - I print out a template, my daughter cuts out the pieces and glues them together to make the animal (or whatever). It's quick and easy for me, and my daughter loves it.

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  2. We've home-schooled our two for about five years now and we found this couple of sites useful when they were a bit younger (now age 9 and 7).

    http://www.starfall.com/

    http://www.dltk-kids.com/

    We tend to be very flexible and autonomous in our learning but every home-schoolers has their own way of working. Just carry on having fun with your kids x

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  3. Hi! I'm a new follower, though I've been reading your site for a few weeks now. I love your plush toys and think you are amazingly creative! I'm a new-ish sewist and you inspire me! Keep up the great work!

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  4. Thanks for the links, guys! I'll be checking them out.

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  5. you and john will be fabulous homeschool/unschool parents! i am so excited for louise and june. i'll be taking notes for ezri ;) love.

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