Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Just Keep Moving Forward

Megan reviewing numbers.
I was stuck at a crossroads with my youngest daughter, Megan.  You see, we had finished the preschool program that we began last year.  However, I haven't had the money to purchase a Kindergarten program for her yet.  So, I was debating what to do with her.  I have only been trying to maintain the skills she has picked up with games on my Nook color and reading books.  But, to be honest, I didn't like it.  To me, I felt like we were then cutting out all the reasons I feel called to homeschool, like teaching about Christ.

Laura made some adorable counting cards for Megan.
I discussed this with my husband.  My fear was that beginning anything new would be difficult if I ended up taking off the majority of the summer.  We would just have to re-do everything if she forgot. My husband is a wise man.  He looked at me and said that, "If our daughter wants to learn, just keep teaching her."
Megan counts the stickers on one side, then checks to see if she is right.
Does Megan want to learn?  Absolutely!  She asks me to teach her to read.  She thinks now that she is five, she is supposed to do Kindergarten.  So... I decided to do as my husband suggested and "keep teaching her".  I hit the internet to look up some ideas, and then scoured my bookshelves for things I could use.
Megan learning about Spring and listening to Vivaldi.
I found and printed out some math worksheets that pick up where we left off.  We dived back into our reading/phonics program.  I downloaded a Unit Study on Spring.  I grabbed some books and a Story Bible off of my shelf and came up with things to use to teach about God.
Megan watching a tree change over a year.
I actually probably overdid it for a newly turned five year old.  I had way more projects and things to learn than Megan has the attention span for.  I have to pace our studies and limit myself.  However, we are moving forward.
I still have my Nook handy.  Megan loves some of the apps.  When she gets tired of trying to write letters with a pencil, I know she loves the handwriting app on my Nook.  She has better control using just her fingers than holding a pencil at this point.  She is amazing me with her progress.  I am very glad she is excited about learning and isn't resentful.  To her, it is just fun.  It's a special time with Mommy when she gets to be the center of attention.


1 comment:

Linda said...

I am encouraged to see that you allow computer learning, and other electronics like the Nook. We love the nook at our house! We use an online curriculum that I love, Time4Learning. We use it as our core curriculum, but they do advertise that they can be used for summer work as well. It is pretty cost effective also. My daughter's quest for knowledge, love of learning, and my own desire not to have to spend the first couple of months of a new school year reviewing are all reasons why we homeschool all year long. It allows us to take breaks when needed or wanted without having those long breaks where where knowledge seems to pour out of my daughter's head:). We have been homeschooling for 5 years, and have discovered a little school all the time works better for us than taking the summers off. Besides, it is so hot here that we want to be in the air conditioning during the heat of the summer anyway! It is so great to have a child who wants more learning, enjoy it!

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