Does Your Child Need To Go To Preschool?

Does Your Child Need To Go To Preschool?

There is a simple answer to this complex question. No.

Children don't need preschool to gain admission to kindergarten or to succeed in life. In fact, the wrong preschool experience could potentially set a child back by creating a negative perception of school, learning, and socializing. However the right preschool experience can give a child a head start academically and socially over peers without preschool.

In order to make the right choice for your child you need to look at what a preschool program should do for children. Ideally, preschool should help integrate children socially so they learn about the rules and structures of society in general and school society in particular. In addition, preschool helps students begin a foundation of academic knowledge including literacy, numbers, and culture.

The actual content, focus, and structure of preschool programs varies widely from community to community (and often even within communities) but most programs achieve these two primary goals for students. However a parent can easily accomplish similar goals without the confines of a specific preschool program.

Obviously many families need to arrange some type of day care for the preschool age children and if this is the case then it often makes sense to combine day care and preschool. Children who regularly attend day care programs with other children are less likely to need the social aspects of a preschool education. They likely learned how to play with others, the rules of sharing, and how to follow instructions and other key social lessons. Similarly children who belong to a large family or live in a neighborhood where a group of children regularly interact need less social education than children who do not regularly interact with their peers. Parents can replicate these social situations by seeking out play groups and community activities.

It is fairly easy to create a home preschool program for children. There are packaged curriculums available for purchase, materials available from local libraries, and information available on the internet. You can choose a program created entirely by someone else or create your own individual program to suit you and your child. Some television programs even offer additional material on the internet to supplement programming that would be suitable for a homeschooling project.

A motivated parent can certainly create a quality preschool program for their child that exceeds the results of any professional program. It is simply important to keep in mind your primary goals. What do you want your child to learn? What skills do you want your child to master? Do you simply want to prepare your child for kindergarten or do you have more advanced goals in mind?

The right preschool program can definitely give children a head start on long-term educational success, but not all programs are created equal and sometimes even a wonderful preschool program isn't right for certain children. Some children may benefit more from spending another year or two in a more nurturing atmosphere, such as home or a small day care. When making the preschool decision it is important to consider the individual child as well as the individual programs available. It is not a one-size-fits-all decision.

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Preschool Activities - Sensory Bottles

Preschool Activities - Sensory Bottles

exploring visual and auditory senses. They used different materials in small plastic water bottles that children can shake, tip, roll, and watch. Use the smooth plastic water bottles- without the ridges- that are around 1/2 liter (the mouth of the bottle has to be big enough to get the items in). Here are some for you to try:

1. The Wave Pool- Fill half the bottle with water and put a few drops of blue food coloring. Fill one quarter of the bottle with baby oil. Drop in a few small plastic ocean animals and seal the lid with packaging tape. Let them shake up the bottle and see the oil and water mix and then separate.

2. The Sand Box- Fill a bottle half way with clean play sand. Drop in a few desert animals and seal with packaging tape.

3. Buttons, Buttons, Buttons- Drop in a bunch of old buttons that are different sizes and colors. Seal the bottle with packaging tape. Let them shake it and hear the noise and see the colors all move around.

4. Gooey Stars- Using a bottle of inexpensive dish soap that is a color. Add in star foil confetti. Seal with packaging tape. Tip this one up and down and watch the stars move slowly through the soap.

5. The Fire Bottle: Using gold metallic temper paint (it only works with metallic paints), fill the bottle about half way. Then add water to another quarter of the bottle. Shake and seal with packaging tape.

There are a lot of options for these sensory activities for preschoolers. You are only limited by your creativity. These bottles work at home or in the classroom. Make sure they are properly sealed so no materials escape. You can also ask your preschooler for more ideas.

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Preparing the Essentials For a Preschool Homeschool

Preparing the Essentials For a Preschool Homeschool

So, you've decided your going to home school right from the beginning! But, what do you need? Where do you start? Well, to be honest, every homeschooler will say something a bit different when answering these questions. But, at the same time, there are some common ideas that many families agree were essential homeschooling supplies when they were at the preschool homeschool stage.

Books, Books, And More Books

Easy access to books helps develop a love of reading and is truly an essential of any preschool homeschool. If you haven't already, start creating your own home library and keep all the books within easy reach of your child.

If you need some ideas, take a look around online. There is a wide range of possibilities for excellent books for a preschool homeschool. Look for some reviews from other homeschoolers, and select what you think you and your child would enjoy.

Get Yourself (And Your Child) A Library Card

Along these same lines, make sure you patronize your local library frequently! Get to know the librarian's name(s), and come regularly. Help your child select books, and check out some for yourself too, involving your child in the process whenever possible. It's never too early for a homeschooler to learn how to use the library system!

Libraries also sometimes offer special events (that are usually free!) in addition to regular programs for young children like story hour. It's a great way learn about new things, and sometimes, you might even get to meet new friends there too!

Make Learning The Basics Fun With Board Games

Young children can learn a lot through games. Some board games are obviously educational, but others are just plain fun; and even they can teach preschoolers a lot. In addition to the subject matter of the game, a child can learn things like how to take turns, basic counting, following the game rules, and depending on the game, number recognition and a bit of reading. Not bad for a "game!" You can find some really unique games in homeschooling supply catalogues and online, but regular "old" games like Connect Four, Candy Land, and Checkers are perfect too.

Manipulatives For Math And More

Manipulatives are most often associated with teaching math, but are really any model, block, tile, etc. that can assist a student in working out a problem regardless of the subject. In addition to the wide array of manipulatives available for exploring math, there are also science, and phonics manipulatives that can make learning new skills more "hands on" and, for certain learning styles, easier.

Manipulatives are a great resource for the introduction of these concepts in the preschool homeschool, and are available online or anywhere else where you might find homeschooling supplies.

As you continue on your homeschooling journey, you'll surely find other homeschooling supplies that you would describe as essential. Products are always changing, and of course, our children are always changing.

Each year homeschooling you will also gain a better idea of your child's learning style, and interests, as well as your own homeschooling philosophy. But, if you start off with these tried and true homeschooling supplies for the preschool homeschool, you and your child will definitely enjoy your very first year of homeschooling!

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Preschool Science Experiments

Preschool Science Experiments

There is nothing more fascinating and fun than helping small children conduct preschool science experiments. Watching their delighted little faces as these experiments show them that there may be a bit of "magic," after all, is so entertaining. There are many safe and educational experiments that can be done with the preschooler. They are not overly involved or difficult either.

One such experiment involves some raisins and a glass of Seven Up or Sprite. It is aptly named The Dancing Raisins. You simply take a glass of still fizzing Seven Up or Sprite and let the children drop a few raisins in the soda. The raisins seem to take on a life of their own. They jump around on top of the soda, then seem to dive to the bottom of the glass, only to rise up again. Children love preschool science experiments such as this one.

Another experiment can be used to teach about the parts of plants. For this one, you will need a stalk of celery, 2 cups of water and some food coloring. Add the food coloring to the water. Slice the celery in half long ways and put each end into the water. Within about 10 minutes the food coloring has been absorbed into the celery, outlining the veins of the celery stalk. Children are extremely fascinated with this one.

Now, if you don't mind messy preschool science experiments, you can try this one. The children get to make their very own slime to play with. You will need to get some liquid starch and mix it with a bottle of Elmer's glue. Once it has mixed together, it starts to make a totally different substance. The children can dig their hands in and start to pull out the "globs" to play with.

An easy and fun experiment that teaches about density requires first getting a glass. Next, you will take food coloring and add it to different substances such as water, oil, and salt water. These will be added to the glass one at a time, layering as they go. The different colors help identify each substance. This is one of the more fascinating preschool science experiments, as their little eyes just get bigger and bigger while watching these substances NOT mix.

Preschool is such an easy age to teach scientific things. They are delighted and thrilled by the simplest things. Not only that, you become a magician in their eyes, so you might let them guess at what has occurred just a little bit longer before explaining it to them. Then they will get to feel special that they can make these things happen, too.

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Preschool Learning - Outdoor Activities & Field Trips For Learning

Preschool Learning - Outdoor Activities & Field Trips For Learning

Preschoolers, toddlers and young children are always learning. When they observe, touch, see and smell - they are learning. It is a never ending part of their young lives. This 'learning' fact is a big reason why it is important for children to experience new things and new environments.

As parents and teachers there are a variety of places or activities that we can provide our kids for our kids to learn from.

Field trips or nature walks create wonderful outdoor activities for children and preschoolers to learn new things. Field trips and nature walks etc do not have to be a hassle but can be simple places where children can observe and learn new things.

Possible Field Trip places where you can take your children or students:

*Police station: Children can learn about the police, what their function in the community is as well as details about the work they do to enforce the law etc.

*Fire Station: Preschoolers and toddlers can learn about fire fighters, their job details. They can learn about the fire trucks, how they help pump water and how firemen keep us all safe, plus learn about fire safety etc.

*SPCA or Humane Society: Children learn about the animals in the animal shelters. They learn how important it is to respect and care for animals properly. They can also learn about duties in the animal shelter etc. As a group you maybe able to walk a few dogs or play with a few small animals.

*Seniors Home or Retirement Home: Preschoolers and young children learn to respect the elderly and infirm. They can talk and socialize with the residents and put a smile on many of the faces of those who are confined to these senior's homes. This is a positive rewarding experience for all.

* Library: Children can learn about all the books. They learn why libraries are important, what librarians do and maybe even have a few stories read to them from the children's book section.

* Greenhouse: Preschoolers can learn about what grows and can be grown in greenhouses. How greenhouses work all year long. How to care for plants, flowers, trees etc. They also can learn about different colors found and different smells.

* Zoo: Preschoolers & children learn what zoo's do, what keepers are and their job duties and how they care for the animals. Children may also learn about different animals that are native to their country and those from other countries. The may also learn about different classes of animals like birds, reptiles, mammals etc.

* Garden Park: Children may learn about landscaping, gardening, different types if plants, flowers and shrubs. They may also learn about different colors and caring for the environment etc.

* Splash Park (Water Park for kids): Great for a hot day where kids can play and have fun cooling off. Remember to ALWAYS use appropriate sun block and SUPERVISE children when in the hot sun and around water.

* Walk in the Forest (nature walk): Children learn to observe nature. What they hear, what they see, smell etc. They can collect leaves, pine cones, acorns, chest nuts, pine needles and other things which can be examined using magnifying glasses in the classrooms as a kids science activity or use these things to create an art project of some sort with the children. (*Always stay on the trail unless you are familiar with different poisonous plants like poison ivy and other things that could make things unpleasant or unsafe for you and the children.)

* Conservation Area: Children can learn about taking care of lakes, rivers, swamps, marshes etc. They also learn different tree species, different types of animals that live in the forests. They may learn about animals that come during the day and one's that come out at night. There maybe opportunities to learn about sap producing trees and maple syrup etc.

* Go to a Children's Venue (Play or author): Children can watch a child's play or see a popular children's author when they come to town to read a story or sing music.

* Safety Village: Children learn about safety. They learn why it is important to be safe and various things related to laws and obeying rules and how they will benefit from respecting these things.

* Train Station: Preschoolers love trains! They can learn about trains, they can watch them come in to the station. They may even be lucky enough to hear a whistle, talk to a train operator or have a small tour on a train.

* Airport: Children and preschoolers can see all the small airplanes (maybe bigger ones) depending what size airport. They can learn about air traffic, how planes fly and how they communicate etc. They may get to talk with a pilot or other workers and learn about their job duties.

* Grocery Store: Children can learn about different foods. They can learn about food groups, how food is shipped to stores and learn about healthy food choices etc.

* Pet store: Children and preschoolers love pets. A local pet store may welcome a small tour and show off some of their birds, cats and puppies for the children. They can learn about caring for animals and feeding them etc.

**The list of places where field trips and preschool learning can take place is endless. Use your imagination to think outside the 'box'.

These places usually have some sort of tour, can arrange a tour or would just welcome a visit from some young children or preschoolers who are eager to learn some new things!

Outdoor Activities & Seasonal Activities For Kids:

Different seasons & weather present different field trip opportunities and outdoor activities for children.

For Example:

Winter time may allow for a different type of nature walk or a trip to a conservation area to learn about maple syrup. Spring time and autumn may create different focus on outdoor activities as well.

Summer time may allow more opportunities for recreation activities like splash parks, water parks; trip's to beaches or picnics etc.

Preschoolers love these outdoor activities and field trip activities. They always are eager to learn from the things around them, learn more about the people who make up the community they live in as well as learn about animals and nature.

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Gift Ideas for Pre School Teachers

Gift Ideas for Pre School Teachers

I believe it is quite common for both parents and children to feel a special bond with preschool teachers. These are the men and women who work with our children teaching them the skills that will prepare them for elementary school.

The child teacher ratio is lower in preschool than in elementary school and so one on one attention with both the child and the parent is very common.

As parents, we often want to say thank you with more than words. When the teacher has a birthday, or in December and again at the end of the school year, it’s quite common for parents to look for an appropriate gift to give to the teacher.

I have found many gifts over the years that all teachers seem to enjoy:

• A one year subscription to a magazine you know the teacher reads and enjoys.

• A gift certificate to any local restaurant for a nice meal out.

• A day where parents take over for ninety minutes, so that the teachers can have lunch together. If the teachers can not leave the building, prepare a nice lunch for them to eat outside the classroom.

• A basket filled with either coffees or teas depending on which the teacher enjoys.

• A gift certificate to the local book store. I’ve actually not met a teacher who does not enjoy reading.

• If you know the teacher enjoys going to the movies, purchase a gift card to the local movie theater.

• When my own children were in preschool, all of the parents donated funds for a piece of furniture for the classrooms. We then had each child from that school year place their handprint on the piece of furniture. Both times I was involved in this, the teachers loved it.

Preschool teachers are indeed very special people and deserve those extra special thank-yous.

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Preschool Creative Activities - Fostering the Creative Spirit

Preschool Creative Activities - Fostering the Creative Spirit

Preschool is the time when children are allowed to explore their creative sides through arts, crafts, games, and creative play. As an instructor, it's crucial to incorporate a wide variety of preschool creative activities to every theme so that there's an activity for each child. Some children may choose to explore their creative side through drawing or coloring, while others prefer more hands-on activities like building, while others might express themselves best through games of pretend or other types of creative play.

Try some of these preschool creative activities that focus on the letter "T". However, they are not just limited to the alphabet theme. Many can be used when learning about animals or teddy bears, transportation, or dental hygiene.

Teddy Bear Rank and File

Children love teddy bears, which can often lead to a week-long or month-long celebration of all things teddy, such as Octobear or Novembear. Have each child bring their favorite teddy bear to live in the classroom for a month and meet other teddy bears. This is when the preschool creative activities can begin!

First, assemble all the teddy bears together. Then, have one of the children rank the bears according to a criteria such as size, weight, cutest, funniest, etc. This teaches children to look at pieces of a whole and learn the concept of ranking things. Plus it allows allow them to apply creative criteria to a set of objects.

Taking a Train Ride

When learning about the letter "T", one of the most important categories to explore is transportation. Here's a fun little game called Taking a Train Ride. For this game, assemble all the chairs in the classroom two by two in a line. For each chair, write a number on a piece of paper and tape it to the back of the chair.

Give each child a ticket that corresponds with one of the seats on the train. At the sound of the whistle, each child is to take their place on the train. Then, appoint one of the children to be the engineer, and they go to each child and punch a hole in their ticket with a hole punch.

After each child has taken their place on the train, have each person describe what kind of trip they are taking, where they are going, what they will see, and who they are going with. This exercise allows the children to use their imaginations for planning the fictitious vacations, and shows them what travel on a train might be like.

Tooth Time!

Finally, here are some creative activities for exploring another aspect of the letter "T"- teeth. For the first activity, children make large teeth from plastic bottles and white tempra paint. Give each child a two-liter soft drink bottle that has the top part cut off. Paint the bottles with white tempra paint, and once the paint has dried, each child has a giant tooth that they can practice brushing on.

Next, have each child make their own toothbrush to use for brushing the giant tooth. First, cut a toothbrush shape from a piece of construction paper. Punch a few holes in the head side, and string short pieces of pipecleaners through the holes. Tape or glue the pipecleaners to the other side of the toothbrush. Have each child write their name on the toothbrush and decorate it to their liking. Now they have a toothbrush to brush the large models of the teeth!

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