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The Editor's Desk - From Beneath the Clutter
Feature Article - Getting Your Preschooler Ready to Learn to Read and Write
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Guest Article - Tips On How You Can Get Started With Home Schooling Your Child
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It's National Reading Month, and I've decided to play along, at least this week, with a focus on education in the newsletter. I won't be doing this all month, since this is not a homeschooling or other child education topic newsletter, but since many at home parents have an interest in this area, I think one week is reasonable.
I've always had the habit of making sure Ariel gets her bedtime story, and I have a "strict" rule that if I'm doing something during the day that can be interrupted, if she asks me for a story, she gets it. It's a lot of fun for both of us and keeps me focused on what I'm really at home for... beyond refusing to let someone else raise my kids. Gage, of course, is too young to ask for a story, although he sure knows how to ask to play! Even though he walks very well right now, if he wants me he still gets up on my lap, grabs my fingers, slides off my lap and drags me along to whatever he wants to do. He's very persistent about it too. I love it!
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I recently took a class with my daughter I found very educational, and I thought I would share some of what I learned with you. The class was aimed at 3-5 year olds and was on helping preschoolers get ready to learn to read and write.
Obviously, and as any parent these days knows, one important thing to do is read regularly to your kids. However, only about half of the activities each day had to do with reading to the kids. The rest focused on helping the kids build the skills they will need as they learn how to read and write.
Muscle development is very important, but you can’t just expect a preschooler to develop their hand and finger strength out of the blue. First they need to develop their larger muscles. The first class they had us doing wheelbarrows (holding the kids by their legs or ankles and having them walk on their hands) or throwing a balloon for the kids to hit with a stick they held with both hands, one hand on each end.
Tactile play was also very important. Play dough, sand, salt, even shaving cream were all used as example of things to use to encourage kids to do things with their hands. The different sensations really engaged the children’s curiosity.
Some of the activities encouraged the kids to create their own stories. They warned all the parents to not change their children’s words as they wrote them down. Sometimes they would have stamps or magazines to cut up to make pictures for the stories the kids would tell and have their parents write down, but there would also be crayons or markers so the kids could draw their own pictures.
Making a book for your child is pretty easy. Take a couple pieces of paper, fold them in half, then staple the folded ends together, keeping the staples near the edge. Most of the children loved creating their own books.
One very important thing I noticed during these classes is how differently each child learned. Some of it was very distinctly related to age; the younger children simply had no interest in some of the activities, but there were always plenty of options.
These classes really emphasized that you are teaching your child skills that will help them learn to read and write even when you are not actually teaching them anything at all about their letters. There are many skills that must be learned first.
Everything I learned in the class was something that could easily be done at home. One of my daughter’s favorites, for example, was the day they had us fill a balloon with flour, then tie it off and let the kids squeeze it. Of course, my daughter wondered why I couldn’t make the balloon big, and I don’t know if she really believed my explanation. But she did have a blast squeezing it, which builds those hand and finger muscles so necessary for learning to write.
Helping your preschooler get ready to read and write is really not terribly difficult. Just take a little time and encourage them to play with things that build the muscles they will need and, of course, read to them every day.
Stephanie Foster is the owner of Home with the Kids, a resource that knows that there's more to staying home with your family than just business. For more stay at home tips, visit the site at http://www.homewiththekids.com/ and subscribe to the free newsletter.
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Education is a very important aspect in a human being's existence. He needs education to nurture his craft, hone his talents, and provide him with all the possible answers to all of the wonders in this world.
Parents know this fact, that's why they would always want the best for their children. In this manner, when the concept of home schooling was introduced into the society, they have been astonished with the fact that there are still other ways in educating their children.
At first, opting for home schooling is such an overwhelming matter. Most parents thought that it is impossible to teach a child through home schooling method.
On its basic concept, home schooling refers to the alternative way of educating children. It differs from the usual type of schooling because the learning process is done at home and the teachers are usually the parents themselves. They only use a particular type of teaching method that can be obtained in different institutions that provide home schooling programs.
Home schooling had provided many advantages and benefits to both parents and children. That's why many parents have opted for home schooling in providing their child the indispensable education that their children need.
However, some parents find home schooling a daunting task. So, for parents who find home schooling a bit of an overwhelming task, here is a list of some tips on how to get you started in home schooling your child:
1. Arrive at a decision
The problem that most parents encounter when opting for home schooling is the fact that they find it hard to finally decide whether to home school their child or not. This is because deciding on this kind of thing is relatively important especially because the future of the child is dependent on it.
However, the choice should be based on the capacity of the parents to conform to the requirements in home schooling their child. They should be able to wholly participate with whatever items that were entailed in the program in order to provide the best education for their children.
2. Keep in mind that home schooling is a process
Since home schooling is a process, parents who want to home school their children should take things one at a time. For instance, if they have a pre-school child, they should focus more on what pre-school students should learn. They should not delve more on how to teach higher levels of education that are fit for students in higher levels.
3. Know your state laws regarding home schooling
In the United States, each state has its own laws regarding home schooling. Hence, it is best to know what your state asserts about home schooling so that you can provide the best education for your children in conformity with the law.
4. Look for a "support group"
Home schooling should not be the sole responsibility of the parents. That is why it is important for the parents to find a local "support group" wherein they can mingle with other homeschoolers who can provide them with additional pointers regarding the process.
Each member in the "support group" can help each other regarding the best technique in teaching their children.
5. Do your homework
Nothing can get you started on the right track than doing your homework first. In this way, you will be able to know the important details you need to be familiar with in order to provide the best education for your children.
Knowing what you have to do will give you the best guidance in home schooling.
6. Identify your child's learning manner
It is best to assess your child's learning manner first before you choose on a particular home schooling method. Conforming to your child's learning manner will provide the best way on how to home school your child.
There are many choices available when teaching your child through a home school program. Though it is still best to always pattern the program that you will choose on your child's learning style.
7. Organize the things needed in home schooling
Just like a typical school, home schooling your children would also need different materials and a proper place where they can easily and comfortable learn new things each day.
Hence, it's best to organize the place first by providing them with an adequate space for their learning. Most children would respond to the process easily if they were comfortable with the place where their classes are held.
8. Have a budget for home schooling
Some parents tend to over indulge with the materials needed in home schooling. It does not necessarily mean that because you have lowered your expenses because you have opted to home school, as compared to sending your children into a typical public or private school, you can spend more.
It is still a must that you have to set a budget for home schooling. There are many books and other materials that can be found on the Internet which are definitely priced cheaper.
Indeed, home schooling is not just a process but also a lifestyle. It's something that parents should be best acquainted with in order to give their children with the best education they need.
It doesn't matter if you just want to explore home schooling possibilities or have made the decision and are looking for a guide to point you in the right direction, "The Parents Guide to Home Schooling" will provide you with the information you require. http://www.free-online-course.com/homeschool
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