All School Should Start with Homeschool

Homeschool vs. Public School vs. Private School vs. Charter School - and the list of opportunities for your child's education can go on and on. Is one better than the other in regards to your child's education? 

As a teacher, I could argue points as to why a public school education could benefit your child. After working in the private (Catholic) sector for the last 5 years I could give you pointers as to why you would want to go this route. As a parent to three young children and observing family members who have decided to homeschool, I can explain the benefits there as well. The debate could go on forever, egos would be bruised, countless points would be proven and yet the decision still remains in the hands of the parents.

For today, we are going to set aside our differences in opinion and discuss the most important education of your child's life- the formative years before school; before they are able to read or write; before they can find the circumference of a circle. Those years belong to you, the parent.

You, {believe it or not} the parent, are your child's first educator...................

Regardless if you are aware of your role or not, your child is a sponge soaking up information that you share. When you announce to your child "Now, roll me the red ball!" You are not only interacting with your child, you are also teaching him in countless ways. First, you are giving him a lesson on how to take turns and illustrating cause and effect by rolling the ball back and forth. Secondly, by describing the "red" ball, you are also teaching your child colors.

The human child's mind is literally a sponge; soaking in and processing new information each day. When children are young they are not only willing but capable of learning various concepts that we present to them. Then why don't more parents put the cap and gown on their children and send them off to Harvard by age 3? 

Right now their main job is simple- to play. Play can provide so many great experiences- learning how to share and relate to one another, imagination and creativity, not to mention physical exercise. Teaching your young child does not have to be done by workbooks, flashcards or other formal learning systems. Young children learn best through self-exploration and play.

".....preschoolers learn differently from school-age children: play is essential to early learning. Play is the main way children learn and develop ideas about the world. It helps them build the skills necessary for critical thinking and leadership. It’s how they learn to solve problems and to feel good about their ability to learn." (Source)

Games, puzzles, books, crafts, free play and life experiences should all encompass your child's early education. Make each moment special as you interact with your child- remembering that is quality and not quantity that matters.

Don't forget that teaching the basics also include learning your address, phone number, full name, birth date, and manners aside from their ABC's and 123's!

The education that you chose for your child for their formal school years is solely based on what works for you and your family. Regardless of what educational path you chose, all school should start with your young child being homeschooled by you, his parent. You can provide your child with the ability to succeed, the self-esteem to conquer obstacles and the drive and determination to help them live out their dreams.

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Classified: Mom suggests (but not limited to) fun learning products:
Books that teach letters, numbers, colors, shapes, etc.:


Board Games:


Puzzles:





Also, make sure to visit my Arts and Crafts and Resource Page for some learning craft and activities!

Mom Craft: Creating a Decoupage Valentine's Day Vase or Candle Holder

Do you have some empty candle jars or a vase that you would like to spice up a tad? Well, get them together and dust them off- we are going to bring them back to life! This is a very simple craft to do, takes little of your time and is perfect for the Valentine's Day season!

As Candle Holder

What you need:
Tissue Paper in various shades of pink, purple and red

Tinfoil
Sponge brush
Scissors
Modge Podge
Some type of vase, jar or candle holder

What to do:

1. Tear pieces of tissue paper into various sized squares.
2. Cut hearts out of both tinfoil and tissue paper in different shapes and sizes.
3. Using the Modge Podge and sponge brush, apply the glue onto a small area of the selected glass container.
4. Randomly adhere pieces of tissue paper.
5. Repeat until the entire glass container is covered.
6. Apply a layer of Modge Podge then add the heart cut-outs randomly.
7. Again, apply another layer of Modge Podge over the entire glass container. (Repeat if needed.)
8. Dry.
9. Decorate with flowers or add tea-light candles.

Important: Make sure that no tissue paper hangs over the rim if you are going to use as a candle holder!

Kids Craft: Valentine's Day Luv Puppy Puppet

My children had a lot of fun creating and playing with their Valentine's Day Luv Puppy Craft. Reinforce the shape: heart; colors: red, white, black and pink and spacial concepts, such as: over, under, left and right.

Classified: Easy and fun to do with ages 2 and up!

What you need:

Step 1 + 2 more hearts for paws

1. Red, pink, black and white construction paper (either 9x12" or 12x18")
2. Paper lunch or craft bags.  I used white for this project.
3. Scissors
4. Glue
5. Black marker
6. Pencils

What to do:
1. Cut various size hearts according to the size of your paper bag. I had my preschooler cut out his own heart face for practice. See Step 1 photo for guide. You will need 1 large heart for face; 2 long hearts for ears; 2 small white hearts for eyes; 2 medium hearts for cheeks and back, 3 small hearts for nose and paws and 1 crescent shape for tail. Allow your child to select the colors they desire. Great time to talk about (reinforce) the colors red, pink, white and black!

Step 2

2. Assemble face as shown in Step 2 photo. Give directions such as "glue nose on top of his cheeks." or What color do you want for your Luv Puppy's left ear?"
3. Glue face to fold on bag and glue paws to the bottom.
4. For an extra touch, I cut a heart out of the center "spot" on the medium heart for the back. Glue to the "back" of the Luv Puppy.
5. Bend tail at end of crescent and glue to the back. (See step 5 photo).

Step 5

6. As always- Enjoy!

My kid's Luv Puppies!

Kids Craft: Learning Your Address House

Looking for a craft that teaches name recognition, shapes, numbers, and basic architecture all while introducing your child's address? Here is the one-stop craft that can do all that.

I have taught my first born his address when he was about 2 and half years old all by memorization. He has an awesome memory! My daughter is now reaching that milestone, and is a different type of learner than he is. (Check out: http://www.infed.org/thinkers/gardner.htm a good overview of Gardner's Multiple Intelligences). As most children are visual learners at this age, this craft will help aid in teaching them their address by constructing their own house out of basic shapes and creating an envelope with the child's full name and address.

Classified: Easy

What you need:

1. Various colors of construction paper depending on what your child's house (or apartment building) looks like.
2. 1 12x18" sheet of white construction paper to make envelope
3. Glue sticks
4. Ruler
5. Pencil
6. Scissors
7. Crayons
8. Black Marker

What to do:  

Step 1- fold

1.  Parents/teachers- for envelope, fold the 12x18" sheet of paper in half (the long way) leaving a 1" flap at the top. See photo.
2. Glue the outer edges together with glue sticks. Dry.
3. On the outside of the envelope; write with black marker your child's first, middle and last name on line 1; their street address on line 2, city/town on line 3, and state on line 4.

Prep for house-

1. Discuss with your child what their house looks like? Asking:

• What color is your house? Does it have bricks, windows, and a porch? (We obviously have a red-bricked house)
• What color is your roof? Brown? Gray? 
• Is your house big or small? (It's funny to hear what they come up with.)

Live in apartment building?- not a problem! Have them describe what the outside of the building looks like.

• Are there a lot of windows? Doors? Is it a tall building or long?What color is your building?

2. After your chat about their house, either have pre-cut, or cut on the spot, a 5"x5" square for the house based on the color that your child's description - or - a 5"x8" for an apartment building.

3. A triangle (usually brown, black or gray) for the roof. The roof should have a 6" wide base for a 1/2" over hang on either side. You may want to make an isosceles triangle for an apartment building roof.

4. Cut an appropriate size door and windows using colors of your choice.

5. Assemble and glue.

6. Have your child draw in details with crayons (examples: bushes, a portrait of them in a window, flowers, etc.)

7. Dry.

8. Place the complete house inside the envelope. 

Lesson Ideas:

It is awesome if your child can memorize their address, but can they recognize it as well? Here are some ideas that can help with both.

1. Have your child recite their whole name and address, including city and state. Once they are able to do so they may hold onto their house (memorization).
2. Give your child their house. If you are a teacher working with a group of children, place all the envelopes (name up) on the floor and have the children find their address and put their house in the envelope (one at a time). If you are a parent, create about 5 additional envelopes and have your child complete the same task (recognition).