Everything Begins Somewhere

Hello and welcome! 

Few things that have come out of this COVID pandemic that can be considered good; increased family time, cooking at home, exercising the art of invention thanks to necessity (hello, DIY hand sanitizer). While I skipped most of the DIY recipes, I am guilty of a few loaves of homemade bread but mostly I have simply relished having my two boys at home.

I am unabashedly one of those Moms who has regular conversations with teachers and caregivers. I like knowing what my children are learning, how and with whom they are interacting, and all the details. Partially because I am curious and I miss them like crazy when they are gone and partially because I take that knowledge and back up lessons they are learning at school by reinforcing them in our home. 

Like many, this year has been a whirlwind of unpredictable changes for us, but I don't consider virtual learning the be a negative. Not only has first grade become more hands on, but I have taken over the responsibility of Pre-K for my four year old. This has given me some eye-opening insight not just into the process of teaching, but also into my own child. 

I am not a teacher. I do, however, have thorough research skills and fierce dedication to my children. When it became clear that we would not be sending our youngest back to his preschool, I immediately began scouring every corner of every resource I could get my hands on to find the information I needed; the goals my child would need gain in the traditional Pre-K class and how to teach him those skills at home. Luckily, there is a wealth of information out there, much of it free or reasonably priced. 

There are no prep options - print and go worksheets, lesson plans that have been prepared for you that are neatly organized and downloadable from sites like Teachers Pay Teachers. They are a great resource, especially if you find yourself short on prep time but don't want to skip the day's lesson. I find these to be great practice for dexterity, fine motor skills, and writing practice. If your child is like my son, however, it is often better to do hands on activities that get him up and moving. These take a little more time, but are often well worth the effort.

This week we are learning about Autumn and everything is leaf, acorn, apple, and pumpkin themed. This acorn activity came from one of my favorite early education blogs, Toddler Approved that offers a wide range of easy to plan activities for parents who are looking to create learning activities for their children. My four year old loved picking the acorns out of the basket and hopping around while searching for its uppercase match. We also practiced phonics (saying the letter, the word, and the sound), making it more than a simple matching game.

My sons are not the only ones learning this year. I am learning as well. Learning how to juggle their educational responsibilities and needs with my own. Learning how to navigate the sometimes overwhelming amount of information out there about how to teach and what to teach my preschooler. Most of all, I'm learning to give myself credit where credit is due. Life isn't perfect and neither are we. It is a journey and my goal is to enjoy the ride and make it as enjoyable as I can for them too.

I hope you will join us on our adventure. Share your advice and trials, discover helpful tips and resources, or just simply find solace in the fact that you are not alone.