At Home Pre-School Boot Camp: Week 4

Welcome to Week 4 of At Home Pre-school Boot Camp!  If you missed the beginning of the series, you may want to start from Week 1.  

You' will notice that these posts are not being published on an exact regular schedule.  As I  am publishing these posts, I am enjoying the last days of freedom before putting my kids in formal education.  These posts are bringing back happy memories as we enjoy the end of summer.  I hope that they will be material for some other mom making her own memories.

Things to do just once this week

If you have been following this series from the beginning, your child has been attending a structured activity that is going to help him have success in society for a few weeks.  This week, add in a social event.  This could mean hanging out at the library after reading time to play.  It could at happen while he is at day care.  It could be a planned trip to the play ground, or an old fashioned play date.

On one of your at home days, block out some time to cook together.  Cooking can provide an opportunity to read a recipe, calculate the needed ingredients, observe science in action, experience a piece of a new culture.  It is a great life skill.   As you are getting started concentrate on letting your child do the work, and making it fun.  Do simple, familiar recipes and allow quadruple the time you would normally need.

If you have more time, ask your child to choose an art activity that you have done before.

Daily habits

First of all, keep up the reading and play times you have already established!  If you are not connecting with your child in a meaningful way, all your other attempts at teaching him will fall flat.  

Start looking for areas where you could allow your child to be more self sufficient.  Could she dress herself, find her own toys, or even fix her own lunch?

Enriching your home environment

Look for some ways that you could make your home more kid friendly.   Think about adding stools and moving the items they use daily to their level.  Here are some ideas to get you started.

Looking ahead

Our next big activity is Play-Doh .  Feel free to just pick some up from the store, or have some baking soda and cornstarch on hand.  Grab a box for the play dough and feel free to toss in some plastic knives, cookie cutters, and anything else that would be fun to use with play dough.

Friend to Follow

Aubrey  from Montessori Mischief has inspired me to give my children freedom in their learning and independence in their daily lives.  Montessori is a great educational philosophy, and I love how Aubrey applies it to the home environment. She also makes herself available for questions!

If you have a question about Montessori education, submit it to her tutorials page. Also, be sure to Check out her Montessori 101 Series! 

This post contains Amazon affiliate links.  Click here for more information.   Thanks for your support!  The post, At Home Pre-School Boot Camp: Week 4 , by Christy McGuire originally appeared on WisdomKnowledgeJoy@blogspot.com.

Five Hacks for Promoting Your Child's Independence at Home

Children naturally want to grow up and do it themselves.  Here are five ways we encourage our children's independence in our home.  You will notice that I didn't pretty up for these photos.  This is how we live, and what independence really looks like at our home.

Kids Book Shelf.

We purchased these book shelves because the cubed sections make a smaller, more manageable space that children can use to put away books correctly.  I added a basket on top just for books that they can read themselves. By the way, the easy to read series that you see above are Phonics by the Book from This Reading Mama (Free!), Now I'm Reading! Level One Animal Pals (Affiliate) , and  Bob Books, Set 1: Beginning Readers (Affiliate).

Kids Learning Shelf

We organized a few toys and several learning activities in containers on the shelf.  The children can remove these, play with them and return them independently.

Kids dish cupboard

The Kids Dish cupboard is one of the low cabinets. My children are responsible for putting away their own dishes from the dishwasher, and setting their own places at the table.  My daughter is usually more particular about stacking the dishes, but I think that allowing some messiness is part of the learning process.

Kids height hangers

My husband moved the hanging bars down, so that the children get to their own clothes and hang them up again when they are finished.  As a bonus, we have extra storage above.

Stools

Changing out a sink is not a quick easy project.  By adding a stool, we bring the children up to the level where they can use the sink efficiently.

Much of what you see here has been inspired by Aubrey at Montessori Mischief.  Check out her Video on organizing Winter Clothes.

Click here to return to the At Home Pre-school Boot Camp Week 4 summary.


This post contains Amazon affiliate links.  Click here for more information.   Thanks for your support!  The post, Five Ideas Promoting Your Child's Independence at Home, by Christy McGuire originally appeared on WisdomKnowledgeJoy@blogspot.com.

Four Secrets for planning Successful Playdates

"Let's get together!"  As a new mom in the area, I am always excited when another mom says those words, and even more excited when it happens.  Play dates are great opportunities for my children to learn social skills.  More importantly, play dates have allowed my children and I to form permanent friendships all over the country and the world.   Here are some play date secrets I have learned from moms around the country and around the world.

Communicate Clearly

We all approach the world with our own bias.  That is why it is critical to communicate clearly with the other mom(s) involved before and during the play date.  Be clear about when and where the play date is taking place, whether or not food will be involved, and what kind of play is expected.  Once the children are together, do not hesitate to ask the other mom if she is comfortable with the type of play that is going on.  If you are the parent who has a concern, speak up.  Be kind, and tell the other parent specifically what you would like to see change.

Make it about the kids

As an extrovert, I can get desperate for adult conversation.  However, if the play date is going to be a success, the other mom and I need to be thinking about the kids, and that may mean that we cannot enjoy as much as conversation as we would like. We may have to make it up on the phone or via text later.

Making the play date about the kids can also means keeping them in sight.   All kids will do things when they think the adults are not looking that they would never try in front of you. You can not help your child develop social skills if you do not know what happened.  

The great thing about making it about the kids is that you can ditch some of the adult conventions.  When we were living in a small town in the southwest play dates we lived pretty far away from our friends, and play dates that did not include a meal were almost impossible.  My friend graciously pulled out the night before's left overs, and it worked perfectly.

Know your limits

Whenever we host a play date, the bedrooms are off limits.  Before our guests come, I instruct my children to move all toys that they wish to share to the living area, and all toys they do not wish to share to their bedrooms.  Keeping guests out of the bedrooms helps keep the kids in sight.  If one of my children needs down time before our guests leave, they have a safe place to go.  Sorting the toys ahead of time helps my children focus on sharing, and be secure that their most special things are safe.

Playing with other children can be surprisingly exhausting.  If your kids are showing signs of being done before the end of the play date, do not be afraid to say, "I think we need to get home for some early naps."  Sometimes this means leaving toys on the floor.  While it is generally good manners to help clean up your mess, it is sometimes in every one's best interest to just get the extra kids out of the situation.  

Go the Extra mile 

Sometimes you can not follow all the best advice.  I just said that it is important to leave when the kids are done.  However, I was in a situation a few years ago where the taxi would not show up, and I was stuck at a friend's house after her kids and mine were well over each other.  My friend graciously made us comfortable, and made it clear that we were welcome time and time again.  

 One of my friends has some children who literally need to snack all the time.  I would be overwhelmed if I had to "be a good hostess" and keep up with their demands for food and drink for the hours they spend at my house. Her children show up with lunchboxes, and we always have a great time together.  These friends willingness to go the extra mile made our play dates a success, because they made the play date happen.  Play dates that happen and that you all want to repeat are always a success.

Have you found some secrets that make play dates successful?  I would love to read them!



Click here to return to the At Home Pre-school Boot Camp Week 4 summary.

If you found this post helpful, you might also like:

 How Parents of Pre-schoolers get the most from their Free Public Libraries

How to Plan a Road trip your Kids will Love: Tip 1








This post contains Amazon affiliate links.  Click here for more information.   Thanks for your support!  The post, Four Secrets for planning Successful Playdates, by Christy McGuire originally appeared on WisdomKnowledgeJoy@blogspot.com.

Get Started with the Alphabet!

This post is part of my at Home Pre-School Boot Camp.  For more information about the series, click here.

Assuming that you are working with the English alphabet, there are fifty-two characters that your child needs to know.  Twenty-six letters with upper and lower cases.  There really is no need to know exactly which ones she does and does not know, unless she knows them all.  The goal of this assessment is just to find three or so to target.  Once she has mastered those, look for a few more.

Quick side note.  Some of my friends who use the British system teach sounds ahead of letter names.  I did not choose this route, but if you want to use it,  just substitute the sound for the name in this exercise. Then you go back to names later.

Get Started!

Pull out your alphabet set.  Show one of the letters of your child's name to her.  Ask, "What letter is this?"  If she tells you, hand her the letter. If she can not tell you, tell her the name of the letter and put it aside.  Pick another letter from her name and repeat the process until you have three letters that she does not know. If you finish her name, continue with other letters.

Once you have three she did not know, choose one and show it to her again.  Wait quietly for at least fifteen seconds.  If she says it, give it to her with a word of praise.  If she does not say it, return it to your pile and say nothing.  Repeat with the other two.

Make a note of which letters you are going to target. Offer to read her a book of her choice or spend some time playing together.

Click Here to return to the At Home Pre-School Boot Camp Week Three Summary.

 The post, Getting Started with the Alphabet, by Christy McGuire originally appeared on WisdomKnowledgeJoy@blogspot.com.

At Home Pre-School Boot Camp: Week 3 Summary

Welcome to Week 3 of At Home Pre-school Boot Camp!  If you missed the beginning of the series, you may want to start from Week 1.  

Things to do just once this week

Make that formal group activity a priority.  It can be challenging, especially if you have multiple kids in tow, but it is important to your child's long term success!

After painting, this week's new art activity is a breeze.  Click here to learn about construction paper art. 

Pull your magnetic letters or alphabet book! Click here for a simple activity to get you started.

 Review options

 If your child is able to write his name, revisit the simple writing from week one, but on a different day.  If you have time, give painting another go.

Daily habits

Keep up the reading and play times you have already established!  Those two habits are crucial to the success of everything else.  

Enriching your home environment

Do you play music through out the day?  Music is good for your child mentally and emotionally.  Classical, jazz, folk, and your personal favorites should all have a place in your day.  Develop some play lists, buy an album of new music, or find a couple of go to stations on Pandora.  Plan to turn on the music while you do an art project or chores with your kids.

Looking ahead

Next week, it is time to cook!  Choose a recipe, and buy the ingredients. If you need a place to start, try my kid friendly recipe board on Pinterest.  If cooking with kids scares you, choose a recipe labeled "Mix and Measure" or "Simple Sensory".  I will have a post on the "Why and How of Cooking" next week.

Friends to Follow

Becky at This Reading Mama is a true professional.  She is also a mom who writes curriculum for her own kids and shares it.  My kids both love her various reading packs.  You will probably gravitate toward her awesome activities, but be sure to read her posts on language and reading development. I have relied heavily on her insight when working with my own children!

While you are exploring This Reading Mom, you will probably find  Anna, The Measured Mom.  Her reading packets are also popular at our house and have provided hours of appropriate leveled reading practice.  You will also find lots of great hints on working with mixed age levels on her site. Valuable advice for anyone multiple kids!

This post contains Amazon affiliate links.  Click here for more information.   Thanks for your support!  The post, At Home Pre-School Boot Camp: Week 3 Summary, by Christy McGuire originally appeared on WisdomKnowledgeJoy@blogspot.com.

Construction Paper Art

This post is part of my at Home Pre-School Boot Camp.  For more information about the series, click here.

Construction paper, glue, and maybe scissors.  Pre-school art can be that simple, and this project can be adjusted to match the fine motor level of each child in your home.  

Early Motor Skill Development

When my children were just starting to develop their fine motor skills I approached this project two ways.  One way was to just let them tear the paper, then glue it down.  The motions of tearing and gluing strengthen the fine motor muscles, and you might be surprised how much effort can go into creating a piece in this way.

Sometimes, it is more satisfying to actually make a picture though, especially if the card or picture is for someone else.  I would ask my child what he wanted to put in the picture, and quickly cut it out.  He would then glue it on the card.  Again, this strengthens muscles and improves coordination in those little hands.  Working together we made some fun things and wonderful memories.

Scissor Practice

Using scissors is an important skill in its own right, but it also strengthens the muscles needed for holding a pencil well.   Get a good pair of kids scissors that you would not mind using yourself.  Show your child how to hold them, then help him use them to cut the paper.  He may just want to cut, or you can let him glue the pieces together to make a special creation.

Writing Practice

Once he is comfortable holding a pencil, you can ask your child to draw or trace patterns on the paper, then cut them, and re-glue.  This allows your child to gain confidence in manipulating the pencil, without the added pressure of trying to form letters.  

Projects!

There are so many great projects to do with construction paper!  We used it a year ago to make some finger puppets, and before that we made some self portraits.  In fact, T-Rex just saw these pictures and asked to do it again!

 We love Discovering Great Artists by MaryAnn F.Kohl and Kim Solga, and their lesson on Henry Matisse calls for a technique similar to this.  If you keep the colored paper, scissors, and glue together in an easy to find box, you will be ready to go with any of these lessons or just to enjoy the afternoon together making some art!

Click Here to return to the At Home Pre-School Boot Camp Week Three Summary.

This post contains Amazon affiliate links.  Click here for more information.   Thanks for your support!  The post, Construction Paper Art, by Christy McGuire originally appeared on WisdomKnowledgeJoy@blogspot.com.

At Home Pre-School Boot Camp: Week 2 Summary

Here we are in week two of the At Home Pre-School Bootcamp series!  I hope you had fun at the library and exploring writing with your child last week.  This week we are going to use the information we gained last week as we enjoy some painting, investigate counting, and get started in a crucial daily habit.  Let's get started!

Activities to do just once with your child.  

Pull out those supplies, it's time to learn with painting! Click here to learn more.  Sound stressful? It did to me too.  You might want to check out my post lower stress painting as well.

Next, click here to get started with numbers.

Finally, Choose one age appropriate structured activity to make a regular part of your child's schedule.  She may already participate in a pre-school, Sunday school or library program.  Those all count!   If she doesn't, try out a class of some sort, and consider making it part of your weekly routine.

Want more? Repeat the starting point writing activity we did last week, or make another trip to the library.

Daily habit

This week, make it a goal to read to your child every day.  If you spend most of the day away from your child, you might alternate reading days with play days. If you are a full time at home parent, try to work in both.  

If you spend most of the day away from your child, a good goal is to read one book, or one chapter to your child each day. 

If you are the full time educator of your pre-schooler, you need to do more.  Enjoyment of books is the number one factor in developing a strong reader according to many experts, so you want to make this priority.  Let your child pick a book for you to read to them, then you pick a book.   Then let your child pick another book.  Keep this up for  as long as your child will stay with it.  Try to allow at least an hour if he wants to listen that long.  Don't worry if reading time is very short when you begin.  Keep at it, and his attention span will grow.

Looking ahead

In preparation for next week, have an alphabet set on hand. This could be an alphabet book (check out Jerry Pallotta's Work!), a set of Alphabet Flash Cards , or magnetic letters.  

Also, get some Elmer's Washable No-Run School Glue, 4 oz, 1 Bottle (E304) , a pair of scissors (I recommend these,) and a stack of SunWorks Smart-Stack Construction Paper, 9 x 12 Inches, 11 Colors, 300 Count (6525) .  Put it all in a box next to your painting box, so it will be easy to grab.  Again, I am providing links to buy everything on-line for your convenience, but you will often find things cheaper if you buy locally.

Enriching your home learning environment 

Look around at the walls of your child's bedroom and play area.  Is there any art? If not, work on finding some.  I picked up one of our favorite paintings for $6 at a yard sale.  You could also buy a favorite print on-line.

Mommy mentor

This week I have another lovely blogger to introduce to you. Jean Van't Hul is a published author who blogs about the projects she does with her own kids at The Artful Parent. My Pinterest boards are full of them!    The main thing I have learned from reading the Artful Parent is that art is taught by giving children a medium and setting them free. Any of us can do that! 

That's all for this week, I'll be back in about two weeks with week 3!  



Other Posts in this Series:
Learning by Painting
Get Your Child Started With Counting

At Home Pre-School Boot Camp:  Week 1 Summary
Introducing At Home Pre-School Boot Camp with a Simple Kindergarten Readiness Checklist



This post contains Amazon affiliate links.  Click here for more information.   Thanks for your support!  The post, At Home Pre-School Boot Camp: Week 2 Summary, by Christy McGuire originally appeared on WisdomKnowledgeJoy@blogspot.com.

Learning by Painting

Painting is an incredibly fun and beneficial activity.  My kids are happy to paint at least once a week, and I bet yours will be too.  Of course, we do not paint that much, but it is fun to dream!

Here's how to do it!

I am assuming that you have the materials listed in the At Home Pre-school Boot Camp: Week 1 Summary (Click here to go to that post).


 Put the newspaper on the table and prepare a spot to receive the wet treasures you are about to create. Put the t-shirt on your child(ren) and use the clothespin to tighten the neck a bit.  Each child gets a tray and whole stack of brushes.  Check out my post on lower stress painting if you are wondering why.

Writing Practice

Give each child a dab of paint, some experts say yellow, but I wouldn't be too concerned on this point.  Show them how to use the brush on their paper, let them try for a few minutes.  Next, get your own paper and show them how to paint their name,or if they have already mastered correct strokes for their name, a word that includes letters they have not mastered.   Coach them to try. If they don't do it perfectly, show them again and have them try it just once more.  Never scold for these mistakes. 

Art

Now it is free paint time, when the magic of art begins. Sit down and paint with them until they are bored.  Be prepared to dole out more papers and more paint. Some kids will switch to finger painting, which is great sensory stimulation and developmentally priceless.

Congratulations!  You have just done an activity that benefits your children's writing by reinforcing correct strokes and pencil grip.  You have given needed sensory play, and encouraged scientific exploration, and fostered self expression.

If you would like to throw in a little more science, check out this post.  Otherwise, banish the kids to another room, and clean up.  

Painting is an activity that becomes easier for the parent and more fun for every one each time you do it!

This post is part of the free hand preschool series.  Click here to start from the beginning and see what this series is all about.

Click Here to return to the Week 2 Summary.

Get your child started with counting!

Ordering the world through numbers is an important skill.  Any time you want to teach something, you have to know exactly what your student already knows. In the case of counting, this is super easy.  

If you have been following along with the at home pre-school boot camp, you established a daily play time with your child last week.  One day during your play time, grab a set of toys such as blocks.  Say, "I've got a question for you,  How my blocks is this?"  Plop down a set of blocks that you know your child can count. It is extremely important that their first attempt is successful, even if they only count to one. Next, ask for an amount that is maybe two blocks more. Repeat until you find an amount that he is  unsure of.   Mark this number in your mind.   

Say, "Watch me."  Very purposefully point to each block and number it out loud.

Next, pretend to place blocks and ask, "How many?" while pointing to the empty space.  Treat this as a joke, but make a mental note of whether he knows the number zero.  

Remember the number he didn't know, and whether he knew zero, and spend at least a few more minutes connecting through play.  

You can repeat this activity about once a week.  Development will tend to go in spurts.  For several weeks it may seem he is not getting any where .  Then, he will suddenly progress by several numbers or beg you to count over and over.  

Watching your own child progress as a learner under his own power is a thrill you will always treasure!



Click here to return to the At Home Pre-School Boot Camp: Week 2 Summary

At Home Pre-School Boot Camp: Week 1 Summary

Welcome to week one of At Home Pre-school Boot Camp! This series is going to be a lot of fun, and cover some things that are really precious to me as a mom and as a teacher.  Let's jump right in!

Activities with your pre-schooler to do just once this week

 Take a trip to the library!  Click here to learn how to make the most of your initial trip to the library.

Get started with writing and fine motor.  Click here to find out how.

Daily challenge

Sit down and play with your child for 15 minutes on at least three different days.  Try to really get on his level.  Can you make this part of your schedule?

Enrich your home environment

Does your child have puzzles readily available?  If not, choose one puzzle that she would enjoy, and put it on a shelf where it is easily reached.  Maybe do it together during your daily play time.   Click here to read about a trick I learned for puzzle storage.

Looking ahead

Put together your paint box.  The cheapest way to get these supplies is to buy locally, but I will give you links in case that is helpful.  (These are Amazon affiliate links.) Don't worry, not all of the lists will be this long!

Adult T-shrits (Fruit of the Loom Men's 4 Pack Pocket T-Shirt, Assortment)

Clothes pins (Honey-Can-Do DRY-01375 Wood Clothespins with Spring, 50-Pack, 4.75x5)

Package of brushes and plastic tray (Darice 11-Piece Painting Set with Brush Assortment and Palette)

Newspaper or similarly sized large paper (ALEX® Toys Artist Studio Paper Roll White Drawing Paper)

Package of white paper, such as computer printer paper or craft paper (GP Spectrum Multi-Use Paper, 8.5 x 11 Inches, 3-Ream Pack )

Bottles of washable (tempera) paint.(Prang Ready-to-Use Tempera Paint, 16-Oz., 12-Pack of Assorted Color)  I recommend red, blue, yellow, white and black to start

If paint is hard to find, or you want a special project, You can click here to read how to make your own--a great list of recipes from Kids Activity Blog.
A box that can hold all of the above. (Just save your Amazon Box!)

Friend to Follow

I have never actually met Mary Anne from Mama Smiles, but after following her blog, I feel like she must be friend material.  I have found several great activities on her blog, but the thing I most admire is the way she delights in doing life with her kids.  The positive attitude is contagiously lovely.  Click here to check out her blog and catch a smile for your kids.

That's it for this week!  Be sure to check in next Monday for week 2, and if you know another parent of a parent of a pre-schooler who might find this series useful, please share it with them!  If you missed the introduction, click here to read what this At Home Pre-School Boot Camp Series is all about.

This post contains Amazon affiliate links.  Click here for more information.   Thanks for your support!  The post, At Home Pre-School Boot Camp: Week 1 Summary, by Christy McGuire originally appeared on WisdomKnowledgeJoy@blogspot.com.

                

Starting Point activity for handwriting

To do this activity, you will need a piece of paper and a writing implement.  Crayola Colored Pencils are my favorite, but anything will do. You may also want a cheat sheet of correct strokes for forming each letter.  Our school district distributes an official guide. Click here to view the free letter formation guides from schoolsparks.com .   

With Your Child

Sit down with your child and cheerfully explain that you are going to write his name.  Write just his first name using correct grip and strokes.  Invite your child to try it.  When he is finished , say "Good job!" The only time you won't say "good job" is if he refuses, in which case say, "Another day," and put the paper away.

At this point note two things. 

Did my child hold the pencil with a correct grip? Yes or No.

Did my child use correct strokes for each of the letters? Yes or No.

If both answers are no, you may demonstrate to your child what a correct grip looks like one time.  Then sit and draw with him while interest and time last.  No instruction, just have fun together.

If your child has a correct grip, but uses incorrect strokes, you may demonstrate one letter and ask him to try it.  Make it a big deal if he copies you correctly, then have some fun drawing together.

If your child uses correct strokes and seems interested show him more letters and ask him to copy them.   Continue while his interest lasts, then have some fun drawing together.   Repeat as many days as needed until you find a letter or two that needs work or confirm that he can do them all.

What's next?  

Poor pencil grip is a result of weak muscles, not lack of understanding.  If your child needs exercise in this area, there are a ton of fun ways to work out the muscles without using a pencil.   Concentrate on those for now, and just pullout the pencil every week or two.  The activities you need are usually labeled "fine motor" and should exercise the pincher muscles. Click here to see some that we have done.  Meanwhile your child can begin learning strokes simply by tracing them with his finger.

If your child has a good grip, he will probably enjoy pencil based activities, so enjoy them and work on learning strokes.



Click here to learn How I first learned about fine motor practice

From the Anonymous OT, What does good grasp look like?  (They changed the rules since we were in school!)

My personal Fine Motor/Handwriting Pinterest Board

KBN Fine motor Pinterest board

              


This post is part of the At Home Pre-School Bootcamp.  Click here to return to the week one summary.  Click here to start at the beginning.


This post contains Amazon affiliate links.  Click here for more information.   Thanks for your support!  The post, Starting Point activity for handwriting, by Christy McGuire originally appeared on WisdomKnowledgeJoy@blogspot.com.

How Parents of Pre-schoolers get the most from their Free Public Libraries

If you live in the United States, it is almost guaranteed that you have a fantastic public library close by.  We have lived in towns and cities in six different states from Florida to Washington.  In every case, we were able access top rate children's programming and a unique selection of books that enriched our experience.

Here are some hints that will help you make the most of your local library.

1. Plan to get a library card if you do not have one. Typically you will need your drivers license (or identification) and proof of residency.  This information is usually available via a web-site, and some one will always be happy to help you via the phone.

2. Bring a bag to carry your books home.

3. Pick up a schedule of children's programs.  Occasionally this is available on the web, but I have found that the  most accurate information is usually found on a hard copy, even in the 2010's.  Ask if you don't see it, you will almost always get an enthusiastic response.

4.  Find the children's area, the juvenile non-fiction area, and where the alphabet books and math books are.  Pull one book from each area. Librarians live to help you find good books, so do ask them.  

5.  Sit down near the picture books and encourage your child to choose one.  Read it to her.  If she is interested, read her a second, third, whatever you have time for.  When it is time to go, let her choose two books to bring home.  Check out the ones you pulled, and hers.

You may want to skim the book quickly for appropriateness before reading.  Sometimes I close a book in the middle if I don't think it is healthy for our minds.  I think this sets an example of being aware of how our environment effects us. I also sometimes give more limited choices as to which books come home.

6. Check out all your selections, and make a note of the due date on your phone or in your planner.  

We will talk more about using books with your pre-schooler next week. 

If your kids are like mine, they will be excited about their finds. Enjoy!

Click here to see some of the great reads we have found at our local library.

This series is part of my At Home Pre-school Boot Camp. Click here to start at the beginning.

Click here to return to the Week 1 Summary Post.

The post Getting started at your library, by Christy McGuire, first appeared on WisdomKnowledgeJoy@blogspot.com.

Simple KindergartenReadiness Checklist and the At Home Pre-School Boot camp

One day, I was talking with a friend of mine.   She told me that she was thinking of buying a pre-school curriculum to use with her son.  I quickly pointed her to a few of my favorite free on-line resources, and followed up by sending the links.  When we talked again, I was slightly horrified to hear that she had not found my suggestions helpful, and in fact, had bought a curriculum. "You are a teacher.  I am not." was her explanation.  We talked about it some more, and she convinced me that although I don't have any special training in early child hood, my background as a teacher does make accessing on-line resources written by the professionals easier.  The result of that conversation was an At Home, Pre-school Boot Camp.

Here are the six areas of growth that I try to promote in my own pre-schoolers.

Independence

Can he take care of himself?  At the kindergarten level this is about things like using the bathroom and eating lunch out of a lunch box without help.

Social interaction

Can he play well with his peers? Kindergartners are expected to be able to communicate verbally with one another and resolve minor altercations.

Function within my culture's social structure

Can she behave well in a formal situation? If she is a  North American, can she to sit and listen, raise her hand, and line up?

Language

Can she understand, be understood?  Kindergartners are expected to enjoy listening to stories of some length, follow instructions and know their alphabet.

Math

Is he organizing his world by patterns?  A well prepared kindergartner can count to ten and name shapes and colors, and work puzzles.

Writing

Can she use a pencil? At the beginning of kindergarten, the teacher will expect her to be able to write her name and copy letters.


This is a highly simplified list.  If you want a more detailed list of what children should know at the beginning of kindergarten, check out School Sparks by Renee Abronowitz or this list from the Measured Mom.

If you are working on these areas and your child is not making progress, I recommend consulting with your local school district or another trusted expert.  Some times children need special help, and getting it early is best.

 If you would like to work on these areas with your child,  and could use some hints to get started, my upcoming At Home, Pre-school Bootcamp series is for you!  

Pre-school should be a dynamic learning experience.  Whether your child attends a formal program, or spends all day with you, the At Home Pre-school Bootcamp will help you set up the activities needed to help help your child develop at home.  Each week, I will post a summary of activities that help you begin to cover the major areas that should be addressed with every child, with links to easy to follow instructions, and introductions to some of my favorite on-line experts. It's free, you'll only have to pay for your materials.  I have written your shopping list, which you can directly order from Amazon (Click here to Sign up for Amazon Prime and get free shipping), or use to find great deals around town.  Best of all, you will have fun connecting with your child while preparing him not only for kindergarten, but for life. 

If you have a resource that I should check out, leave it in the comments. I am always looking for great ideas for my own littles, and may share it as well.  Double check that you have some plain old paper and a pencil on hand and make sure that you are following this blog either by e-mail or in your reader. The first set of posts is coming Monday!

This post contains Amazon affiliate links.  Click here for more information.   Thanks for your support!  The post,  At Home Pre-school Bootcamp originally appeared on WisdomKnowledgeJoy@blogspot.com.