Lately, it’s really hit me how willing and capable Maddie is when it comes to learning. Her mind is truly like a sponge so I have a huge responsibility and opportunity, especially as a stay at home mom, to fully engage and expand her mind.
With that said, Maddie is officially in K1! More information on this in a future post as I work out the full details, but basically I’ll be striving to do certain activities with her daily (i.e. reading, drawing, etc.), in addition to a developmental activity as well. Yes, I do a lot of this already; however, I’d like to have a plan and be a bit more structured (on my end, not hers)!
It is my goal to ensure that all of this learning takes place in a way that is nothing but fun from her perspective!
Hence one of our recent activities…
What we used:
Five containers of various sizes.
Pitcher (as one of the containers) full of water.
What we did:
I poured water into Maddie’s cup and each of the containers.
I then showed her how to pour water into different containers.
We started with the biggest bowl (on the far left) as I knew it would be the easiest.
She, of course, was eager and hurriedly poured the water everywhere with some making it into the bowl.
We did this a few times until I felt that she understood the concept then we moved on to the smaller white bowl, the pitcher and finally the jar (the hardest).
We also spent time pouring from bowl to bowl.
Don’t you just love those cute little squatted poses!
She wasn’t able to get the water into the jar without help so that’s something we’ll be working on once the sun reappears in our area!
Of course, it’s best to do this activity outside with no regard for getting wet and making a mess. I even encouraged Madison to place her hands in the water and towards the end we found objects to put in the water like leaves (to discuss floating) and rocks (to discuss sinking)!
What she’s learning:
Tactile stimulation – Her sense of touch.
Upper body strength – Building strength in her neck, shoulders, arms and upper trunk.
Daily living skills – Hands on experience that can be used to care for herself and/or her surroundings.
Expectations:
Did I expect her to fully understand and comprehend it all? No! But she was definitely intrigued. I could tell that she really enjoyed the activity and I could see her concentration as she attempted to pour the water just right. I went into it with a mindset of just having fun and we both did!
I’m so excited about developing this K1 curriculum and finding new activities for us to enjoy, with her learning and developing all along the way!
I’ll keep you posted on my planning and our activities as we progress.
What are your thoughts on early education (prior to K5 – Kindergarten)?!?
This is super exciting!! I think learning before Kindergarten is vital. I think learning in a fun way is vital too, especially for children. Of course learning won't always be fun, but it helps to build the foundation for that early!! I can't wait to hear and read all about this as you go along. And make sure you take notes, I'm sure they will come in handy in the future!!!
It is, Mionna! I've been pouring through books about this over the past week and I'm just so ready to get started and watch her flourish! I'm so glad I stumbled across a particular resource that lead me to so much information and opened my mind to so many things that I hand't thought about before in relation to the way children learn (especially during the ages of 0-6). I can't wait to share these resources and what I've learned and what she's learning over the next couple of years through this platform. I'm sure I'll be learning just as much as she is! Whoo, that was long :)!!!
It's such fun activity for her. My cousin's teacher made him write on the sand as an activity. Kids should have a connection to this kinda activities.
It certainly is, Areeba! It's even fun for me too :)! I like the idea of writing in the sign, doesn't seem like learning but the littlest things can teach a child and build different skills be it mentally, physically, etc. I too feel that all kids should be exposed to learning in a fun filled way!
Water is always so much fun with kids. My boys still love playing in and with water at 9 and 11. Another fun way for kids to learn is through music. Whenever my boys were having trouble memorizing or learning something, I'd put a tune to it and they'd have it down! It worked great when it was time to memorize our phone number too. Have a fabulous day!
Playing with water is definitely fun with the little ones, Dawn, and I can tell that it'll be something we'll enjoy doing for a long time.
I love the idea of learning through music, especially since I have such a passion for music. I don't know why I haven't thought to do that. Thanks so much for the tip, I'll certainly be using it and letting you know how it goes!
It's amazing how the smallest things can bring ultimate joy to a child. Reagan is an absolute water baby so she would be all over this activity!
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Yes, Lanaya, simple things can bring so much joy all while learning (unknowingly) at the same time. It's such an awesome thing and I hope that I'll be able to continue to find create ways to incorporate learning into our play time.
You should definitely give this a try with Reagan :)!
I had the option of not letting Cameron go to Pre-K or daycare before that…I enrolled him in daycare because I was expecting baby #2 and I knew I wasn't going to be able to give him what he needed. Then Pre-K…he learned so many things and had the chance to interact with other kids of different backgrounds, so I thought it was great for him. But that is so good what you are teaching her, I say its never too early to start your kids education.
I often feel like I'm not able to give Maddie what she needs and go back and forth about putting her in a daycare/pre-K part-time (even if it was just for the social/cultural aspect). But, after doing a little research I figured I could give this an honest try and see where it leads us!
I believe that whether a child is at home or at daycare there is so much that can be learned in each environment so long as the child is given the opportunity to learn (especially through play). It's definitely never too early to educate!!!
I've home schooled off and on because Uncle Sam always seemed to move me during the school year and I never wanted my kids to fall behind. When my 3/4 year old learned the lyrics to a song, I knew how to teach them. I taught through exposure and repetition. By the time my daughter went to first grade she new algebra. Yes, she understood how to figure out what variable was missing. I started out using five beans and I went from there, she didn't know the rules, but she had the concept and all I needed was the light bulb to go off so I could build from there. My curriculum was awesome and as they got older I alternated with an online system.
I've taught my kids more by making everyday activities and questions a lesson.
With baking, we learned chemistry and math, with gardening we learned earth science, picking out our clothes or sorting clothes for laundry we learned colors, patterns etc, etc. Awesome post! I've always taken control of my kid's Knowledge, learning and understanding.
This is so good to hear, Quana! I've just recently discovered how formative the mind of a child is between the ages of (0-6). I knew that children were like sponges, yet somehow it never really registered properly until now that I needed to push her (unknowingly) to learn and develop.
I totally agree with making everyday activities a lesson. It not only teaches them but provides life skills as well! I'm so excited to see find that so many other mothers are taking this approach as well!!!
Wow Nicole. I sooo look forward to these daily blogs and the pictures on instagram. Now I don't feel so bad and don't feel like I'm "missing out". Kiss Maddie for me.
This is so great with you home schooling her this way. I see another genius in the family LOL 🙂 Love you guys~~~~ Nana
That's awesome, Hattie! I'm so glad that I'm able to keep everybody up to date in this way. I'm also happy to hear your approval about homeschooling. I get nervous that people will frown upon this sort of thing, although I'd continue in spite of it since I think it's so important!
Love you so much too!!!
love it! you are doing great. she has so many great teachers i am sure. i am sure you will be hitting up pinterest for some great ideas too!
Thanks so much, Obi! I'm the only teacher actually since this is something I'm doing at home until she starts school. I've definitely be scouring Pinterest and have found some great ideas!!!
I dont have children personally but i found this to be so interesting! your a wonderful mother!
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How sweet of you, Kristen! Thank you so much for such a sweet comment and thanks so much for stopping by. Take care :)!!!
Hey Nicole!
What a nice post. For me, I think unstructured play is important prior to K5. I just let the kids play and explore for themselves. Actually, this is important at any age. I don't think not having anything academic is going to hurt them. In fact, I think it heightens the imagination and encourages a love for learning – in a way that nothing else can.
You know, I am doing a homeschool blogging carnival. The submission deadline is Friday and it's going to be live next Friday. Perhaps you can submit, or stop by next week to see what others have to say.
I am also doing a homeschool link up tomorrow (that's when I blog about what we do during the week). Come and link up this post – and read what others have to say.
There are so many different ways to teach/un-teach children. It's the way it works best for the individual child.
Thanks, Lisa! I think playing and exploring is essential; however, I do believe that it should be influenced by parents in a way that they are able to learn something as they're going about those fun, adventurous activities. The mind of a child is so formidable between the ages of 0-6 and I think oftentimes we don't give them enough credit as to what they are capable of absorbing during those critical years.
I've just read up on your homeschooling blogging carnival and I look forward to sharing this post tomorrow and reading through all of the others as I'm still finding my way in relation to homeschooling (although I have some pretty strong opinions already :))!
This is awesome! I absolutely believe in early education. We teach our baby boy every chance we get and did the same with our baby girl!
I'm certain, Tasha! Emma-girl is so intelligent and I can tell that Poppy will be the same! It's so exciting to see others pouring into their children and to have the support of so many as we're take this journey!
I think this is so cute!! We do activities like this in the bath too!!! I get tons of ideas 4rm pinterest and even though I work full time I attempt at least one structured activity a weekend with Lil Mister! The school teaches but learning starts at home!
A great activity to do with two year olds and older is to take vinegar in small containers and put different color food coloring in. Then on a paper plate put backing soda. Using a dropper let them drop the different vinegar colors onto the soda. It makes awesome color bubbles and teaches motor skills, color and cause and effect! You can find it in my archives for Feb!
Hey again Nicole,
Thanks so much for linking up! I love this post and have pinned it to my homeschool blogging carnival board on pinterest! I am sure that this post will help other homeschooling families with good family friendly activities and lessons!
Thanks so much for linking up!