As a former Pre-Kindergarten teacher and now stay-at-home mommy of 2 boys and a sweet baby girl, many people ask me how they can be implementing educational concepts in the lives of their young children at home before they enter school. Instead of trying to come up with a quick list of ideas off the top of my head to answer these questions, I have decided to put all of my lessons into this blog. I, along with so many other parents, want to be purposeful at home with my children and make the most of the time I have with them.
I hope that this blog can help, encourage, and inspire you to work with your kiddos and
get involved in the learning process! The benefits will be endless,
and the moments you share together will be priceless! As Dr. Seuss once said,
"The more that you read, the more things you will know.
The more that you learn, the more places you'll go!"

Thursday, August 2, 2012

Summer Thinking - Week #4

Mighty Math Monday: Pattern Block Pictures
Math Objectives:
* To identify shapes
* To match shapes to their picture representation
* To create pictures using shapes

Materials:
* Pattern Block Mats from PreKinders
* Paper Pattern Blocks Printable from Teacher Vision (if needed)
* Pattern Blocks











Procedure:
* Print out as many pattern block mat pictures as you want.  I have lots of pattern blocks from my teaching days, but if you do not have any, you can print and cut some out from the link above.  Have your child match each shape to create the pictures.  Allow them to say what shapes they are using on each page.  They can even create their own images by putting the shapes together in different ways.













Totally Technical Tuesday: PBS Kids.org
Technology Objectives:
* To explore the PBS Kids website
* To work on clicking and dragging skills with the mouse

Materials:
* PBSKids.org Website
* Computer or IPad

Procedure:
* Go to the PBS Kids Website and allow your child to explore the different games, printables, videos, and activities on the site.  This is a fantastic learning page for kids that focuses on many academic concepts! Some of Sawyer's favorites are Sid the Science Kid, The Cat in the Hat, and Super Why.














Wacky Word Wednesday: Writing Practice
Language Objectives:
* To practice writing skills
* To hold a pencil correctly
* To use the fine motor skills involved with writing

Materials:
* Printables from Hand Writing Worksheets
* pencil











Procedure:
* Go to the website and personalize your own writing pages.  I did Sawyer's name and the letters of the alphabet to start with.  Print them out and help your child work on first tracing the letters and then writing them on their own.  Make sure they hold the pencil correctly.  Show your child the arrows by the letters to help them write in the correct directions.













Thoroughly Thoughtful Thursday: Back Pack Buddies
Social Skills Objectives:
* To understand the importance of giving to others
* To purchase school supplies for children in your area
* To understand that God calls us to give to those in need

Materials:
* all of the school supplies listed according to the school and grade you are shopping for

Procedure:
* Each year our family supports a ministry called Back Pack Buddies through our church.  We purchase school supplies and back packs for a little girl and a little boy before school starts.  This is a wonderful way to teach our kiddos about giving to those in need.  I know there are lots of ministries out there just like this one, so hopefully you can find one in your community.  If you do not have the time to shop for the supplies, a money donation is always welcomed, as well.  We bought the supplies at Walmart because they usually have all of the supplies on the lists.



















Fantastically Fun Friday: Museum Field Trip
Fun Objectives:
* To understand what a museum is and how there are lots of learning opportunities there
* To explore a museum and participate in activities

Materials:
* Museum in your area - Association of Children's Museums

Procedure:
* Go on a field trip to a museum in your community.  Museums are fantastic learning environments for everyone.  We love the Mayborn Children's Museum here in Waco.  It's designed specifically for kids with themed rooms and activities for lots of ages.  Here are some pictures from our latest visit with our playgroup friends:





Monday, July 30, 2012

Thinking Theme: The Olympics

Of course I had to add a post for The Olympics!!!  Here are some fun, easy crafts and activities to do with your kiddos to celebrate the games:

Olympic Crafts:
Quality Kids Crafts
Activity Village
Kaboose Crafts













Preschool Packs:
Summer Olympics Pack from 3 Dinosaurs
Olympic Fun Pack from Wise Owl Factory
Olympic Games Pack from Kidsparkz

* I know it has been a while since the last post.  We have been out of town and out of pocket for most of July!  Hopefully I will be posting week 4 by Friday!  Stay tuned!

Saturday, June 30, 2012

Summer Thinking - Week #3

Mighty Math Monday: Hundreds Chart
Math Objectives:
* To introduce the hundreds chart
* To count to 100
* To skip count by 10s (2s, 5s, etc.)
* To recognize patterns within the chart

Materials:
* Hundreds Chart Printable from About.com
* pointer (pencil, stick, etc.)

Procedure:
* Print out the Hundreds Chart.  (I had a poster from teaching.)  Using a pointer, help your child count to 100.













* Then try skip counting.  We did it by 10s to start with.  Show your child the patterns/number layouts when you skip count.  For example, all of the 10s are in a straight line.











* Continue to use this printable to help your child advance to different skip counting skills.

Totally Technical Tuesday: IPhone/IPad Apps
Technology Objectives:
* To download apps for your IPhone or IPad in order for your children to play and learn at the same time
* To gain educational skills from each game
* To use the fine motor skills involved with touching and swiping the screen

Materials:
* IPhone or IPad

Procedure:
* Go to the App Store on your IPhone or IPad, and search for the apps you would like to install.  I have made a list of apps that I have researched and like.  Some of the apps I have chosen are free and some cost between $1-$3.  All of these are fun and educational, and both of my boys love them!  Check them out:

Toddler Teasers: There are multiple Toddler Teaser games that you can download including letters, numbers, shapes, colors, food, transportation, and animals.













Umizoomi Zoom Into Numbers: Based off of my kids favorite Nickelodeon cartoon, this game includes many math activities to help with counting, number recognition, number order, addition/subtraction, and more!











Dr. Seuss Books: There are lots of Dr. Seuss books to download.  You can have the book read to your child or your child can read it on their own.  These apps are great for vocabulary, rhyming words, and basic reading skills.











Teach Me:  These apps come in different levels starting with Toddler and going to 2nd-3rd grade.  We are using the kindergarten one right now.  Great educational download!











Preschool Memory Match:  This app allows your child to play the memory game using cards that include numbers, letters, colors, food, etc.  Each level adds a few more cards to help your child use their memory to make matches.











Animal Preschool Circus: This app has lots of lessons on puzzle making, patterning, most/least, and more.











Duck, Duck Moose:  There are lots of Duck, Duck Moose apps that include favorite kid's songs with a little twist! We have The Itsy, Bitsy Spider, The Wheels on the Bus, and Old MacDonald.











SingKids:  There are tons of these apps available.  I think we have almost all of them, and they are fun for the kids to sing along to!











Super Why: Based on the PBS show, this app is great for pre-reading skills!  It has alphabet, rhyming, spelling, and sentence building games.











Kids Learn Sight Words: This is a great app for sight word learning.  Not only can your child learn to recognize the sight words, but they can write them, as well!











Hope your kiddos have a blast playing these games!  And, yes, even a 20 month old can play! :)











Wacky Word Wednesday: Missing Letter Game
Language Objectives:
* To use phonics to sound out words
* To listen to the sounds of the letters in a word and figure out which letter is missing
* To use the fine motor skills involved with writing

Materials:
* Missing Letter Printables from me :)
* pencil
* cookie sheet and magnetic letters (if you have them, not necessary)











Procedure:
* Print out the Missing Letter pages.  Have your child look at the picture and say the word.  Then help them sound out the letters in the word.  Ask them which letter is not printed in the word, and fill it in on the page.  Remember to emphasize the sounds of the letters to help them figure it out.  You can use magnetic letters to help if you would like.













Thoroughly Thoughtful Thursday: Kelso Choices - Cooperative Behavior
Social Skills Objectives:
* To understand the difference between small problems and big problems
* To recognize different choices you can make when there is a small problem between you and a friend
* To learn how to cooperate with others on your own

Materials:
* Kelso Printable from Kelso's Choice
* Kelso Website
* stuffed frog (if you have one, not necessary)











Procedure:
* Kelso is a cooperative behavior curriculum that I used in my classroom.  It is a great way to teach your child to make good choices in working and sharing with other kids.  You can look on the website for more information!

* Explain to your child that there is a difference between big problems and small problems when it comes to working/playing with other children.  Big problems are situations in which you are hurt or someone is hurting you, if someone is breaking or tearing something up, or anything scary or dangerous.  In these cases, it is important to tell an adult.  Small problems consist of someone taking a toy away, wanting to play with the same toy at the same time, and someone doing something you don't like.  These are problems you can take care of on your own with different choices instead of tattling.

* Introduce Kelso the Frog and the Kelso chart.  Talk about the different choices that Kelso tells us to make when there is a small problem.  You can role play with your child and create different situations to help them practice making these choices.  Encourage your child to make these choices when they are with other children.












Fantastically Fun Friday: Homemade Ice Cream
Fun Objectives:
* To create homemade ice cream in a bag
* To follow a recipe
* To use the fine motor skills involved with stirring and pouring

Materials:
* Directions from 2 Little Hooligans
* sandwich size plastic bag
* gallon size plastic bag
* half and half or milk
* sugar
* rock salt
* vanilla extract
* ice











Procedure:
* Follow the directions from 2 Little Hooligans.  This is such a fun, easy way to create homemade ice cream!  And, it's very yummy!!! :)






Friday, June 29, 2012

Thinking Theme: 4th of July

I decided to do a quick post on some fun 4th of July activities you can do with your children!  Have fun celebrating the incredible country we live in and giving thanks to those who serve and fight for us every day!

Units:
* 4th of July Preschool Unit from 2 Teaching Mommies
* U is for U.S.A. from Oopsey Daisy
* 4th of July Pre-K Pack from Over the Big Moon












Arts and Crafts:
* Glitterworks from Family Fun
* Patriotic Pinwheel from Enchanted Learning
* Handprint/Footprint Flag from Preschool Crafts for Kids
* Popsicle Stick Flag from Preschool Crafts for Kids
* Confetti Popper Rockets from Alphamom
* Handprint Fireworks from Learn, Create, Love











Snacks:
* Fruit Flag from The Kitchn
* Rice Krispie Flags or Stars from Snack Picks
* 4th of July Trifle from Fancy Frugal Life
* Ice Cream Sandwich Pops from Living Locurto
* Stars and Stripes Toast from Emily Henson