Pencil me in!

I have a myriad of ideas on how to teach Gardner the things he's ready to learn....now, if I could just DO it, that's all!

He's already repeating every object we name for him. I know he's nearing the age when he can absorb information such as colors, shapes, numbers, and the alphabet. But I know that if I don't set aside specific time to work on these new skills, it will be haphazard and unplanned. I don't want him to have to depend on a preschool to teach him these things.

My aunt Melinda gave me a simple yet indispensible tool....a wipe-off schedule calendar to put on the refrigerator. Now, I am already very planned as far as meal times and especially nap times go. This intends to delve much deeper. Yes, I have seemingly grafted into the pool of soccer moms who schedule every day down to the minute....or have I? Am I simply a mom who wants to know what her day has in store....with a toddler who, with an even greater desire, wants to know what his day has in store?

I have penciled in (er, rather, dry-erased in) craft activity and learning activity times for this coming week. I may be crazy, implementing this during the same week that our house will be in shambles as work is done galore to bring it up to modern times. I'll let you know how it goes.

Anybody else with a toddler have any advice on how to plan out your day?

Comments

Anonymous said…
I don't have a toddler but you are doing it just like I want to as well. You might check out www.mommylife.net She is great about curriculum, and planning, she homeschooled some of her 12, yes 12, kids. She also has links to great materials to use.

Also check out http://pbp.reachcoop.org/
Each week of Picture Book Preschool is built around a theme, and includes a suggested character trait to work on, a Bible verse, and seven picture books to read to your children.

It costs $99 for the guide (tells you what verse books etc to use, and 52 of the books. (There is one new book for each day but they send you 52 of the books.)

Anyway. Have fun!
4/09/2006 03:13:00 PM
Anonymous said…
I spend a lot of time with my two-year old niece, and I try to use everyday moments as little mini-lessons in life. For example, while at the grocery store, we will talk about color, or quantity, or the Spanish word for a piece of fruit. On Easter, a walk around the block turned into a little mini-lesson on insects and the natural world. I try to make it fun so that she doesn't get bored and begin to resist my attempts to educate her. It's really an incredible time in the life of a child. Just in the past three months, my niece's vocabulary has expanded dramatically and her language has become increasingly sophisticated. I know you feel a slight remorse in that your little one is growing up so fast, but your son is about to embark on one of the greatest learning binges that a human will experience. It's quite fascinating to witness; I hope you enjoy it :)

(Sorry for the obscene length of my comment.)
4/20/2006 09:23:00 AM
Anonymous said…
Love your blog, BTW.
4/20/2006 09:24:00 AM
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