An ABCJLM user posted this question on my Facebook page:
How old should my kids be before I really start doing ”school time’?”
What a great question! A good teacher knows that if one person has this question, probably others do to! 🙂
While creating the ABC Jesus Loves Me preschool curriculum, I tried to make as much of the learning as possible fit into the day instead of the learning ruling your day. I want “school time” to be scattered throughout the day/week instead of a mass sit down time. In my mind, school time starts when the baby is young with songs and rhyme and reading books. It progresses as the child gets older. The ABCJLM curriculum starts at age three but parts can be implemented to younger kids. As the child gets older, writing and computer activities controls more and more of the learning time.
In preschool, I believe it is very important that little “seat time” and “drill” learning occurs. Make learning fun and active for all! With that said, I believe children need to learn to sit still and listen for short intervals of time. Practice this during Bible time or a story time at your local library. Start by holding the child on your lap. Progress to the child sitting beside you. Your goal is to be able to sit near the child but not have to be directly beside them. Help the child understand when it is the adult’s turn to talk and his/her turn to listen.
