Luv Bug is 58 months old
I can't believe that it's been almost 1 year since my last post. I had some problems with uploading pics to blogger, then we had issues with our computer. For now, everything seems to be working.
It has been a busy year. My little girl is almost 5 already. In August we started pre-k. She loves it and wakes up eager to begin. I hope this is her attitude as we continue homeschooling.
I knew before we began that I would need to change things a bit. Although she loved the tot trays (idea here), she would go through them all the first day of the week. After much research, I decided to go with a workbox variation. I was planning on using them once we start kindergarten, but thought using them now would make the transition easier.
I ordered this from Amazon. We like it, but sometimes Luv Bug gets a little overexcited and slams the drawers closed causing some of the plastic to break.
I lined the fronts with scrapbook paper and created my own tags using Fancy Nancy images from Google.
Before I explain how we use these, I should share something that I was reluctant to before. I didn't want to come off as boastful. When Luv bug was 3 1/2, she taught herself to read. One day I just realized that she had not just memorized what we had been reading, but was truly reading the words.
The reason I decided to share now, is that this influenced our approach to pre-k. I was not in a hurry to do too many structured activities, but she is ready for them. She loves fun worksheets. I'm not ready to drop the my early childhood philosophy, so we've had to find a balance.
She has 10 workboxes. I organize them like this:
1 Language Arts
2 Math
3 Game, puzzle or open ended toy
4 Gross Motor
5 Reading
6 (same as 3)
7 Science or technology
8 Mama's choice
9 Game
10 Art
We still use themes and I print out fun worksheets she may do, but the only ones I add regularly are the letter tracing. For math we do lots of games or explore manipulatives. Reading is usually a book that she reads to me, but sometimes I'll put her journal with a prompt. She draws a picture and dictates a story. Science and techn ology is either an expiriment, exploring natural items or playing a game on the computer or Kindle.
Mama's choice is whatever I feel she would enjoy. We begin every day with at least 30 minutes of Mama' Luv Bug play time. She chooses and leads this play. Some days, #8 will include an extra half hour. On nice days it's extra gross motor. (For gross motor, we usually try to do something outside for at least an hour). Other days it's a cooking project or a fun video based on our theme.
She loves card and board games, so we made sure to have a workbox for one every day. Sometimes I choose, other days she does.
10 is always an art project. I prefer open ended, but mix it up with crafts, because she enjoys them.
I have slacked off on her science tray and plan to start again. I try to do several sensory activities each week.
Just an update on what we've been doing. I'm hoping to get back on here more often, buit it may not be weekly as before.
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