Comments on: Preschoolers in the Mix http://simplycharlottemason.com/2008/05/07/preschoolers-in-the-mix/ Charlotte Mason method homeschool helps. Fri, 25 Jul 2008 11:54:55 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 By: Laura http://simplycharlottemason.com/2008/05/07/preschoolers-in-the-mix/#comment-4680 Laura Fri, 16 May 2008 01:46:03 +0000 http://simplycharlottemason.com/?p=445#comment-4680 I have my toddlers sit on baby sized quilts during group time, when we sing hymns, do a short Bible study, have a history read aloud and check grammar. That is a long time to have them sit there, but I let them have one or two quiet educational toys to play with on their blanket and they listen in as well. It has taken time to work up to this, but now it works quite well. Other than that, I give them my time first thing in the school day. The older ones begin independent work while I do preschool and kindergarten with my littles. My 1 year old is allowed to sit in my lap or a siblings lap, wander around and then he gets playpen time when we really need him not to be in the middle of it all. I do have a box of yard sale educational toys that we rotate for blanket time. A spiral notebook goes a long way too! My 5 year old "takes notes". ;o) I have my toddlers sit on baby sized quilts during group time, when we sing hymns, do a short Bible study, have a history read aloud and check grammar. That is a long time to have them sit there, but I let them have one or two quiet educational toys to play with on their blanket and they listen in as well. It has taken time to work up to this, but now it works quite well. Other than that, I give them my time first thing in the school day. The older ones begin independent work while I do preschool and kindergarten with my littles. My 1 year old is allowed to sit in my lap or a siblings lap, wander around and then he gets playpen time when we really need him not to be in the middle of it all. I do have a box of yard sale educational toys that we rotate for blanket time. A spiral notebook goes a long way too! My 5 year old “takes notes”. ;o)

]]> By: Andrea http://simplycharlottemason.com/2008/05/07/preschoolers-in-the-mix/#comment-4639 Andrea Thu, 08 May 2008 23:12:48 +0000 http://simplycharlottemason.com/?p=445#comment-4639 We have enjoyed a large plastic container filled with beans, measuring cups, toy dumptrucks, an egg carton for counting and a plastic table cloth to sit on. Felt pieces on a felt board are nice quiet items too. My toddler also enjoys listening to music , stories, etc. on tape. I have not done this yet. But some families have recorded their own tapes with songs, scripture, learning info. and words of love and encouragment for each child to listen to. I usually give my children headphones so they do not disturb the rest of us. Looking forward to reading everyone's great ideas. I need to do more for my preschoolers. They are always asking what they can do. It helps to have something planned special for them. Andrea We have enjoyed a large plastic container filled with beans, measuring cups, toy dumptrucks, an egg carton for counting and a plastic table cloth to sit on.

Felt pieces on a felt board are nice quiet items too.

My toddler also enjoys listening to music , stories, etc. on tape. I have not done this yet. But some families have recorded their own tapes with songs, scripture, learning info. and words of love and encouragment for each child to listen to. I usually give my children headphones so they do not disturb the rest of us.

Looking forward to reading everyone’s great ideas. I need to do more for my preschoolers. They are always asking what they can do. It helps to have something planned special for them.
Andrea

]]> By: Karen http://simplycharlottemason.com/2008/05/07/preschoolers-in-the-mix/#comment-4638 Karen Thu, 08 May 2008 15:32:46 +0000 http://simplycharlottemason.com/?p=445#comment-4638 And don't forget to relax and be flexible! It is helpful to have the "big picture" in mind. You have many years to teach your kids, so don't stress about having to reduce your schedule a bit because you have little ones disrupting the flow of school work. There are many days ahead in which you will have opportunities to "make up" what was "lost" when the little ones needed attention. And don’t forget to relax and be flexible! It is helpful to have the “big picture” in mind. You have many years to teach your kids, so don’t stress about having to reduce your schedule a bit because you have little ones disrupting the flow of school work. There are many days ahead in which you will have opportunities to “make up” what was “lost” when the little ones needed attention.

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