Comments on: Learning resources for little ones http://www.keeperofthehome.org/2008/06/learning-resources-for-little-ones.html Naturally inspired living for the Christian homemaker Thu, 09 Feb 2012 19:07:37 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Melaniehttp://www.keeperofthehome.org/2008/06/learning-resources-for-little-ones.html/comment-page-1#comment-24639 Melanie Tue, 24 Jun 2008 16:40:17 +0000 http://www.keeperofthehome.org/2008/06/learning-resources-for-little-ones.html#comment-24639 No rebutals from me - I think your approach is wonderful and a great example for others to emulate! And we probably agree on a lot more than we disagree ;D. Our 2 year old is required to sit with us during family devotional time and worship - he will even try to sing along and gets melodies stuck in his head. I also anticipate that he will want to "do school too" at some point in the next year because he wants to join in with his older siblings. So I may be pulling Slow & Steady Get Me Ready off my bookshelf (I DO own a copy =D). My suggestion wasn't intended in any way to say doing something is wrong, just that it is a valid option to opt out of "preschool" altogether and that learning will still be accomplished. (BTW, you are more than welcome to borrow the book. I have 1/4 more to go on it then I can pass it along.) No rebutals from me - I think your approach is wonderful and a great example for others to emulate! And we probably agree on a lot more than we disagree ;D. Our 2 year old is required to sit with us during family devotional time and worship - he will even try to sing along and gets melodies stuck in his head. I also anticipate that he will want to "do school too" at some point in the next year because he wants to join in with his older siblings. So I may be pulling Slow & Steady Get Me Ready off my bookshelf (I DO own a copy =D).
My suggestion wasn't intended in any way to say doing something is wrong, just that it is a valid option to opt out of "preschool" altogether and that learning will still be accomplished.
(BTW, you are more than welcome to borrow the book. I have 1/4 more to go on it then I can pass it along.)

]]> By: Stephanie @ Keeper of the Homehttp://www.keeperofthehome.org/2008/06/learning-resources-for-little-ones.html/comment-page-1#comment-24638 Stephanie @ Keeper of the Home Tue, 24 Jun 2008 15:37:03 +0000 http://www.keeperofthehome.org/2008/06/learning-resources-for-little-ones.html#comment-24638 Melanie, you can come and be controversial on my blog whenever you want. :) Having not read the book (and I'd like to- can I borrow it from you?), here are my thoughts (and Ryan's) on why we're doing what we're doing. We fully believe that children should have a lot of playtime, and in fact, Abbie spends the majority of her free time each day (which is quite a bit of the day) playing creatively, with dolls, animals, blocks, etc. (any kind of toy that promotes, rather than hinders, creativity and imagination). However, the 30-45 minutes that we spend in purposeful learning time each day was started for a few reasons-- I wanted a special time with her each day (esp. after a traumatic summer), she seemed to need an opportunity to be more challenged and to focus on something other than only play, and because she is extremely eager to learn and do. Of the time that we spend, probably half of it is reading together and discussing what we are reading. Having this time also helps me to be more intentional about character and Bible training, which I think is very important at this age (and I know that many people accomplish it without making it a specific learning time, but this is what works for me). Lastly, since we do not plan to adhere to the age groupings of public school, we feel that there is no "right" (or wrong) age to start purposefully educating a child. Learning is a continual thing, and it is up to parents to know their particular child and when that child is ready to move from relaxed to more formal-styled education. I can definitely see, though, the need to avoid putting pressure on young children and to not try to do all of these educational classes and videos and special toys geared to create these little Einstein babies. As well, I do not think that a child is missing out on anything important by not having more formal education until they are 5 or 6, provided that they are steeped in a rich learning environment, with lots of books and opportunities for active (not passive) play (which I'm positive is what you've done with your children). Anyways, what I thought would be a short answer turned into a long one. I have much to learn about education still, and especially about how to educate my children. I will make many mistakes, of that I am sure. I appreciate the diversity of approaches, and the fact that intelligent, well-trained and godly children seem to emerge from most of them! Thanks for the thought-provoking comment, Mel! Feel free to rebut me all you want! :) Melanie, you can come and be controversial on my blog whenever you want. :)

Having not read the book (and I'd like to- can I borrow it from you?), here are my thoughts (and Ryan's) on why we're doing what we're doing.

We fully believe that children should have a lot of playtime, and in fact, Abbie spends the majority of her free time each day (which is quite a bit of the day) playing creatively, with dolls, animals, blocks, etc. (any kind of toy that promotes, rather than hinders, creativity and imagination).

However, the 30-45 minutes that we spend in purposeful learning time each day was started for a few reasons-- I wanted a special time with her each day (esp. after a traumatic summer), she seemed to need an opportunity to be more challenged and to focus on something other than only play, and because she is extremely eager to learn and do.

Of the time that we spend, probably half of it is reading together and discussing what we are reading.
Having this time also helps me to be more intentional about character and Bible training, which I think is very important at this age (and I know that many people accomplish it without making it a specific learning time, but this is what works for me).

Lastly, since we do not plan to adhere to the age groupings of public school, we feel that there is no "right" (or wrong) age to start purposefully educating a child. Learning is a continual thing, and it is up to parents to know their particular child and when that child is ready to move from relaxed to more formal-styled education.

I can definitely see, though, the need to avoid putting pressure on young children and to not try to do all of these educational classes and videos and special toys geared to create these little Einstein babies. As well, I do not think that a child is missing out on anything important by not having more formal education until they are 5 or 6, provided that they are steeped in a rich learning environment, with lots of books and opportunities for active (not passive) play (which I'm positive is what you've done with your children).

Anyways, what I thought would be a short answer turned into a long one. I have much to learn about education still, and especially about how to educate my children. I will make many mistakes, of that I am sure. I appreciate the diversity of approaches, and the fact that intelligent, well-trained and godly children seem to emerge from most of them!

Thanks for the thought-provoking comment, Mel! Feel free to rebut me all you want! :)

]]> By: Melaniehttp://www.keeperofthehome.org/2008/06/learning-resources-for-little-ones.html/comment-page-1#comment-24637 Melanie Mon, 23 Jun 2008 17:23:32 +0000 http://www.keeperofthehome.org/2008/06/learning-resources-for-little-ones.html#comment-24637 At the risk of stirring up controversy - may I suggest using nothing??!!! (Besides read alouds.) A resource I highly recommend for parents is "The Power of Play; Learning What Comes Naturally" by David Elkind. We simply can't underestimate the importance of large quantities of unstructured, unscheduled play where children can explore, create, imagine, problem solve through trial and error, etc,etc... I didn't do any form of formal preschool with my two school aged children and they were in no way behind their peers who had formal preschooling; it was through daily interaction that they learned colours, counting, and their ABC's. Plus lots and lots of read alouds together. (In fact, Elkind argues that by avoiding preschool and "educational toys" children will have a greater advantage in their later years.) That said I think the relaxed approach your taking Stephanie is wonderful! At the risk of stirring up controversy - may I suggest using nothing??!!! (Besides read alouds.)
A resource I highly recommend for parents is "The Power of Play; Learning What Comes Naturally" by David Elkind.
We simply can't underestimate the importance of large quantities of unstructured, unscheduled play where children can explore, create, imagine, problem solve through trial and error, etc,etc...
I didn't do any form of formal preschool with my two school aged children and they were in no way behind their peers who had formal preschooling; it was through daily interaction that they learned colours, counting, and their ABC's. Plus lots and lots of read alouds together. (In fact, Elkind argues that by avoiding preschool and "educational toys" children will have a greater advantage in their later years.)
That said I think the relaxed approach your taking Stephanie is wonderful!

]]> By: Michelehttp://www.keeperofthehome.org/2008/06/learning-resources-for-little-ones.html/comment-page-1#comment-24636 Michele Mon, 23 Jun 2008 04:32:09 +0000 http://www.keeperofthehome.org/2008/06/learning-resources-for-little-ones.html#comment-24636 Wow- What great resources. I'll definitely be bookmarking this. We're still a year or two away from this stage. Right now, we have this book for Spanish: http://www.usborne.com/catalogue/browse.asp?css=1&subject=L&subcat=LS&id=1523 We're taking a pretty laid back approach, but our daughter LOVES it- especially if she gets to "do school" with Daddy (he's taking college Spanish right now!). :) Thanks! Michele www.frugalgranola.blogspot.com Wow- What great resources. I'll definitely be bookmarking this. We're still a year or two away from this stage. Right now, we have this book for Spanish: http://www.usborne.com/catalogue/browse.asp?css=1&subject=L&subcat=LS&id=1523

We're taking a pretty laid back approach, but our daughter LOVES it- especially if she gets to "do school" with Daddy (he's taking college Spanish right now!). :)

Thanks!
Michele
http://www.frugalgranola.blogspot.com

]]> By: Rebekahhttp://www.keeperofthehome.org/2008/06/learning-resources-for-little-ones.html/comment-page-1#comment-24635 Rebekah Mon, 23 Jun 2008 02:40:41 +0000 http://www.keeperofthehome.org/2008/06/learning-resources-for-little-ones.html#comment-24635 We call it "learning time" as well and my daughter loves it. When we get a chance to do it that is. I think sometimes I get so overwhelmed with so much to do that I don't just sit down and read to her. She loves reading so much and wants to read the same books over and over. I am teaching her Bible verses as well. Of course the first one we learned is "Children obey your parents for this is right" let me tell you she knows it rather well =)! We call it "learning time" as well and my daughter loves it. When we get a chance to do it that is. I think sometimes I get so overwhelmed with so much to do that I don't just sit down and read to her. She loves reading so much and wants to read the same books over and over. I am teaching her Bible verses as well. Of course the first one we learned is "Children obey your parents for this is right" let me tell you she knows it rather well =)!

]]> By: Tamihttp://www.keeperofthehome.org/2008/06/learning-resources-for-little-ones.html/comment-page-1#comment-24634 Tami Mon, 23 Jun 2008 01:54:59 +0000 http://www.keeperofthehome.org/2008/06/learning-resources-for-little-ones.html#comment-24634 Reading the Little House books are next in line after my Caleb and I finish Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Reading the Little House books are next in line after my Caleb and I finish Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

]]> By: jennPhttp://www.keeperofthehome.org/2008/06/learning-resources-for-little-ones.html/comment-page-1#comment-24633 jennP Sun, 22 Jun 2008 12:06:21 +0000 http://www.keeperofthehome.org/2008/06/learning-resources-for-little-ones.html#comment-24633 This is a book that I found amazing: http://www.amazon.ca/Family-Virtues-Guide-Linda-Popov/dp/0452278104/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1214136090&sr=8-1 "Family virtues Guide". It speaks in plain language and helps each child make the right choices. Every chapter is dedicated to one virtue. They have 52 in the book, one per week. It also gives activities to do with the child with regards to the virtue. This is a book that I found amazing:
http://www.amazon.ca/Family-Virtues-Guide-Linda-Popov/dp/0452278104/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1214136090&sr=8-1

"Family virtues Guide". It speaks in plain language and helps each child make the right choices. Every chapter is dedicated to one virtue. They have 52 in the book, one per week. It also gives activities to do with the child with regards to the virtue.

]]> By: Jacquelinehttp://www.keeperofthehome.org/2008/06/learning-resources-for-little-ones.html/comment-page-1#comment-24632 Jacqueline Sat, 21 Jun 2008 13:09:28 +0000 http://www.keeperofthehome.org/2008/06/learning-resources-for-little-ones.html#comment-24632 Great list of resources! Great list of resources!

]]> By: Stretch Mark Mamahttp://www.keeperofthehome.org/2008/06/learning-resources-for-little-ones.html/comment-page-1#comment-24631 Stretch Mark Mama Sat, 21 Jun 2008 07:05:11 +0000 http://www.keeperofthehome.org/2008/06/learning-resources-for-little-ones.html#comment-24631 Reading to your kids is indeed one of the best things you can do. I recommend having a resource on hand that guides you to the "best" books out there for kids. Not that a little Dora or Blue's Clues every now and then is bad. But the recommended books are far more interesting for Mama to read - which is a big motivator. We also started having the kids memorize verses when they were about 3-4 years old. I have a list of verses appropriate for preschoolers that I'd be happy to send to anyone who asks! (Contact me through the e-mail listed on my site.) Reading to your kids is indeed one of the best things you can do. I recommend having a resource on hand that guides you to the "best" books out there for kids. Not that a little Dora or Blue's Clues every now and then is bad. But the recommended books are far more interesting for Mama to read - which is a big motivator.

We also started having the kids memorize verses when they were about 3-4 years old. I have a list of verses appropriate for preschoolers that I'd be happy to send to anyone who asks! (Contact me through the e-mail listed on my site.)

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