How to Make Your Day Flow Peacefully So You Can Enjoy Your Preschooler Inside: Practical ways to help you with that energetic happy preschooler plus a Bonus Naptime Training Game {Printable} First and Foremost. Preschoolers grow up really, really, really quickly. Those hugs and kisses they offer so frequently are numbered. There will be a day that you are chasing them down, so, listen carefully… Hug and kiss your preschoolers a lot! Tell them you love them- More. Second.Take a few days to assess your life. Do you already have a schedule and daily routine or are you like me when I had my second child, snickering behind my back at the suggestion that a preschooler can be scheduled (and love it!). Third. For the sake of the desperate, I am going to assume you are new to parenting preschoolers and homeschooling. You are trying to figure out your older child’s math lesson while your very busy, yet delightful tot is running around. Your delightful little munchkin does not want to sit and wait for school to be done for their fun to begin. They will create their own fun and include glitter and nail polish-so you need a plan. Without a plan, that delightful little munchkin will play with your carving knife, hide in your dryer, or paint your bathroom with nail polish while you are feeling great about your homschooling abilities in the other room. Yes, I am speaking from experience. If you do not have it built into your day already, spend the next week or two establishing a rhythm to your children’s day. Photo by Alicja Colon Create: Rinse and Repeat Schedule. Here’s kinda what I did with my boys. Psst: Anyone who tells you “This is the exact recipe for success for scheduling kids” is lying. Or they don’t have kids yet. Kids definitely need a schedule, love a schedule, thrive when living by a schedule, and can mess up a schedule before you can set a timer. There is no such thing as “one size fits all”, so use this as a guideline to get you started. Sample Rinse Repeat Schedule: Homeschooling with Babies, Toddlers, and Preschoolers Wake I woke up kids at 7:00. LOL. Who am I kidding? One of my boys woke up at 5:30 every day. I had to train him to stay in bed reading quietly until 7. Yes. You can do that.) Clean room I had my boys make beds and get dressed, even if I was helping them every step of the way. By the way… This is parenting for the win. Have your kids work alongside you while they are incapable of doing it right and train them up in the right attitude/heart. Eventually, they will be able to out work you, but they can also “Out Attitude” you. Train for heart first, ability comes later. Eat breakfast Yes, mama. You too! Calendar Time. 15-20 Minutes. This is a public school term. But my kids loved it. Gather near a calendar or activity board. This is a time of “Repeat after me” or “let’s sing…” Find today’s date. Sing Seven Days in a Week song. Count the dates up to today. Recite the months of the year. Use calendar time to work on any memory work pieces, like bible verse, poetry, or phone numbers. Sing silly songs. 2-4 a day. Mama, don’t roll your eyes. Embrace silly… your kids need it, and frankly so do you. Use Youtube if necessary. Your kids need silly songs. Here are Some starters: Stand Strong, Love my lips, I am a pizza. Need More? Here you go. Memory work: month’s of the year, bible verses, poems, your address and phone number Real Alouds. I know it’s more comfy to cozy on the sofa, but adding a circle time reader is good for teaching sitting still. Weather: talked about the weather, graphed weather, dresses “weather bear“ Counting: Count to 10, or 50, or 100. SKip Counting. Calendar time will quickly turn into a favorite part of your kids’ day. Table activity/ Baby-Toddler 1st Nap Time Cut and paste activities with the little ones. Prepare yourself for, “mommy help me” a bazillion times. Older kids work on things like handwriting, copy-work, spelling. Think, “What can my olders work independently”. Math time for “olders”. 5-15 minutes of instruction, then they work independently. This will not work when the math lessons are tough, they get confused, or you are holding the math lesson sideways hoping that the change of view will help it make sense. Snack Outside whenever possible. Outside play 15-45 minutes- all kids. If you have a picnic table, you can work with older kids while littles play. Let them play for a few first. Please embrace the Danish Motto, “There is no such thing as bad weather, just inappropriate clothing.” Snuggle and Read time, followed by… Roomtime/playpen time Train your littles to play independently. 15-60 minutes. No electronics. Put on music, Pull out a special toy/set of toys, Bring Down the Blocks, Present a fun activity- The key is you help set up a fun activity. Use a timer. When timer dings, sing the clean-up song and teach them to clean up their mess. Help mommy make lunch Oh, mama. Let them help you- at least 3 times a week. The other days, let them play near you or just outside (if safe). Lunch Yes, mama. You too! After lunch.This is a good show time while you work with older kids. I used car seats, high chairs, and playpens to wrangle my squirrelly boys. They Loved the baby Einstein videos:). Pro Tip- Streamline your kid’s meals. When you limit breakfast and lunch choices you bring peace to mealtimes. Take the “What’s for breakfast/lunch question” off the menu. Choose 1-3 healthy things that you will always have for these meals. Nap-time/quiet-time Perfect time to work with older students! My boys napped/rested for 1.5-2 hours every day until their 5th birthday. Kids need this downtime. Mom’s need this downtime. If you are like me with my oldest son, and you find that you never lovingly enforced nap/quiet time- Start tomorrow. [leadpages_leadbox leadbox_id=1455e0246639c5] [/leadpages_leadbox] Art/ errands Free play Dinner prep (include kids in prep- setting table, mixing, measuring, etc- at least 3 times a week) Family time A.K.A.- this time of day moms sit on the sofa and doze off. Bedtime routine (no electronics) All my kids went to bed by 8:00, most were in bed by 7:30 until they were ten. We send older kids to bed before 9:00 to read for a bit, then lights out. Sleep Kids need sleep. Moms need sleep. Dads need sleep. Repeat. Every Day. Click here to Enroll: [leadpages_leadbox leadbox_id=1467bfd46639c5] [/leadpages_leadbox] In this FREE 7-day course, you’ll learn to filter your homeschooling and parenting through the lens of character training. Get on the roster TODAY (it’s FREE!) before the doors close. WHAT YOU’LL GET Stop measuring success by grades, achievements, awards, and worksheets. When you enroll in this course, you’ll discover: The Best Measure of Parenting and Homeschooling Success The #1 Mistake Homeschoolers Make with their Kids One Powerful Phrase that will change the way you homeschool forever But let’s be honest. You’re already rockin’ it as a mom and homeschooler. Lazy moms do not take free Character training courses to improve their parenting skills. Just sayin’. What I hope you glean is that sometimes we all focus on the good things, rather than the best things. That’s what this course is all about. Helping you focus on the BEST. Click here to get on the roster today: [leadpages_leadbox leadbox_id=1467bfd46639c5] [/leadpages_leadbox]
Yes, I Have Blind-spots Yes, I Have Blind Spot is a post from Bekki @ A Better Way to Homeschool where we learn to train our children to become lifelong learners. If you have enjoyed this post, be sure to follow Bekki on YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, and Google+! Did you ever walk right by something really interesting, but miss it altogether? I do this all the time! (Just ask my poor family) Actually I am quite clueless to my environment. I say this with the confidence that this “blindness” helps me have more grace with others. I am able to focus on people’s hearts and attitudes rather than what they are wearing or what their house looks like. Yes, that’s right. You can invite me over to your house when it’s a mess and I would not see it! (I will share some of my most embarrassing blind spots below.) With myself in mind, I would like to give you a slow tour of the right side of this website. See those little colorful squares to the right of my articles? I have you in mind as I partner with each and very one of those companies. (This is where I would say, wow… I never saw those before!) Those squares are called “buttons”. When you click on them, they take you to a valuable resource. Well, I think they are valuable! That’s why I chose each one. We all love sharing resources right? I am going to do a “Meet the Sponsor Monday” Series. I am really excited to spotlight each merchant and share my favorite products, homeschool resources, or cool facts about them. While I do have a business relationship with most of them, I think it’s a good match. I remain committed in my mission to come alongside and encourage and equip new and frustrated homeschoolers. I will only partner with companies that offer stellar products or services that I myself would use. So get ready to meet these amazing companies! Up first, Melissa and Doug… I can hardly wait until next Monday! Top 4 list of “Bekki’s Embarrassing Blind Spots. (In random order) ************************************************************ One of my dearest friends told me once that her husband had shocked her by shaving off his beard. I casually said, “He had a beard?” She almost died laughing at me (In love, of course). Our families spent years together. Apparently even she had never seen him without a beard. ************************************************************* Once I walked into my mom’s house to visit. I walked through the entry, passed the huge open living room and into the kitchen. She looked tired and was pouring a glass of iced tea, so I asked her what she was up to that day. She gave me a funny look, grabbed me by the arm and walked me back to the open living room I had just passed. Yep. That’s right. Christmas tree, piles of lights and about 20 boxes of decorations and village sets All Over the Room. I didn’t even see them! ***************************************************************************** Same dear friend as above asked me to run and get something from her van while she watched the kids on the swings. I looked at the parking lot and then back at my friend. I had no idea which one was hers. I could not even remember what color it was! (Yes, she laughed at me again!) ***************************************************************************** I was giving a new friend directions to my house while sitting in a parking lot. She asked me, “what color is your house?” (Big sigh). Even though I had lived in this home for 4 years, I honestly had no idea! ***************************************************************************** Did You Enjoy this Article? Subscribe here to make sure you do not miss a thing:)
Homeschoolers Have Imagination Homeschoolers Have Imagination is a post from Bekki @ A Better Way to Homeschool where we learn to train our children to become lifelong learners. If you have enjoyed this post, be sure to follow Bekki on YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, and Google+! I was sipping on a hot cup of tea as I watched 4 of my 5 boys run and play in our open backyard. The 14 year old had constructed a wildly creative game which included characters, superpowers, challenges to overcome, and evil to defeat. It was amazing to watch them play, but what struck me most was the 14 year old. He was fully “in character”: crouching, running, pressing imaginary buttons on an invisible control panel, and leading his younger brothers. He proved, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that it is “cool to play make-believe”. Even when the youngest (7 years old) became bored, the older son was quick on his feet. “You want to quit now? Awww, I was just about to find a magic power disk that would allow you to use all forms of magic.” And just like that, the game was extended. Years ago I had a fellow homeschool mom share with me about her oldest child. She said he was frustrated with his public school friends because they had lost their imagination and forgotten what it was like to run around and play. At the time he was about 17 and still loved running and imagining. His friends thought he was crazy. What a thrill it is to have children who not only have active imaginations, but who feel the freedom to actually act on them! Let me ask you a few questions. Do your kids play make-believe? Do your kids entertain themselves without a lot of direction from you? Do you marvel at their creativity? Is the “default mode” for down time at your home electronic (TV or Video Game related?) Would your kids have fun or kill each other if you sent them outside right now for 30 minutes? Be sure to follow my next few posts as I share how we have nurtured our “inquiring, inquisitive, talented, and imaginative children. Did You Enjoy this Article? Subscribe to receive our latest and greatest: right here
Chores Update About two years ago I tore a tendon in my right elbow. Of course, I am right handed, so this caused me to be at a huge disadvantage in life (due to pride). I am a “do it all myself” kind of gal by nature, so asking my family to pick up my slack was not on the top of my list. I had surgery to repair my arm last year, and about a week ago I had that “Super Mom” come over and help me reorganize chores. Enter my life today. On the chore card for today was “deep clean mom and dad’s bathroom”. I took the child with the chore into the bathroom and began to instruct him the proper way to clean. Since it had literally been over 2 years since I had done it, I was right there, up to my eyelids in Comet. Did you know that a bathroom gets really dirty in two years? Before you report me to the health department… While I have used those Lysol wipes to tidy things up each week (or more), and I have periodically scrubbed this that, it’s been a long time since the whole bathroom has been spotless. Whew! Why do I share this with you? Without those chore cards, this bathroom would have been neglected longer. The cards have become the authority, not mom. Interesting. The kids have total respect for the laminated chore card. They do not complain. Go figure. They simply read their card and complete the task. We began the new chore cards on Monday. (click here to read more) After 3 days the kids and I have deep cleaned the laundry room, the refrigerator, the oven, the microwave, the floors, the living room, the entry, one bedroom, all the ceiling fans, and the master bath. The kids have commented that they love the cards and they can feel the house getting cleaner each day. Amazing! I would invite you to rethink your chore-list (or team-player duties). Do an experiment. Organize the chores, divide them up, and laminate the cards. Take on a no-excuses attitude. If the chores are on the card, they get done. period. More on Chores.
Homeschool Videos Homeschool Videos is a post from Bekki @ A Better Way to Homeschool where we learn to train our children to become lifelong learners. If you have enjoyed this post, be sure to follow Bekki on YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, and Google+! Hi everyone! I wanted to make sure you knew that I have a YouTube Channel where I record videos to help you in your homeschooling journey. If you look a the menu bar at the top of this blog, you will see the tab How to Homeschool Videos. You can follow the link on that page right to this channel. I have recorded over 40 videos so far, and I try to add at least one video a week. My heart is to share with you the good, bad, and ugly of homeschooling from the perspective of a veteran (I’ve homeschooled for almost 15 years). I have 5 boys, ages 20, 15, 11, 10, and 8 as of today. Often times, I find it easier to record a video rather than write and edit a post here. I’d like to encourage you to: 1. First- Subscribe to this blog. Simply add your email in the box to the right and click subscribe. When I post a new idea or thought, you will get an email letting you know there is new information for you. (That way you do not miss anything) 2. Second- Follow the link to my YouTube Channel. Subscribe to the channel by clicking on the red subscribe button on the top right. You will get an email with a link to any new videos I record. 3. If you have any questions or ideas that I can address in an upcoming video, simply email me:). Here’s my latest video: Did You Enjoy this Article? Subscribe here to make sure you do not miss a thing:)
Electricity and Magnetism Electricity and Magnetism is a post from Bekki @ A Better Way to Homeschool where we learn to train our children to become lifelong learners. If you have enjoyed this post, be sure to follow Bekki on YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, and Google+! Don’t you just love YouTube? I am using a cool hands on kit to teach the kids about electricity and motors. You can see the actual kit here: Elenco Snap Circuits UC-40 Upgrade Kit SC-100 to SC-500 (affiliate link) What is unbelievable is that even I can teach them about electricity using this kit! I know nothing about electricity and even less about motors and physics. This step by step, easy to snap and operate kit makes me seem brilliant! I do not know about you, but I love things like this. Every time we complete a simple project, we do YouTube research. Did I already tell you I love YouTube? We found a neat little instruction video that taught us all about electricity, magnetic fields, and the homopolar motor. Enjoy learning along side your kids! Did You Enjoy this Article? Subscribe here to make sure you do not miss a thing:)