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A while back I asked our Facebook Group friends for all of their “stupid” questions – all of those questions that you may be embarrassed to ask.
It is finally time for me to share my thoughts! (If you missed questions #1-5, be sure to click back to read them.)
Question #6: Is there a curriculum you recommend after a child
“graduates” from ABCJLM? If the parents want to continue homeschooling
for kinder (and possibly beyond).
Our children go
to public school so I am unable to suggest or recommend any curriculum
past ABCJLM. This is a question for the ABC Jesus Loves Me group as there are many homeschool
families in our group. Unless the Lord leads differently, I do not have
plans to further the curriculum into the elementary years.
Question #7: My
3 year old did great when starting the curriculum. But after the 2nd or
3rd week she has absolutely no desire to pay attention or try. When I
ask what letter or number this is her response is “blah”. She’s very
well mannered and learns quickly, but only when it’s in her timing. Any
ideas on getting her motivated?
This
is a question that I am asked a lot. Most importantly keep the
learning fun and active. Hide the learning into play so the child
doesn’t even realize learning is occurring. Secondly, decide if the
lack of desire is a heart or age response. If the problem is a heart
issue (disobedience) you will see this kind of reaction towards many aspects of
the day. This would need to be handled as sin. If the response is
because she is three, you may need to change your timing or approach.
Question #8: What if your child starts being silly during school time and you want to get them back on track?
Oh
those sillies. My son’s teacher at church tells him to put his sillies
in his pocket. Obviously we need to get bigger pockets in
preschoolers’ clothes because preschoolers get silly a lot! I think you
have an important learning opportunity in this question. There is a time for
sillies and there are times when being silly isn’t appropriate. I would
suggest starting the “non-silly” time with a reminder that all sillies
need to be placed in the pockets.
Secondly, sometimes children (and adults) get
silly because they don’t know what else to do. It may be that the
activity is too difficult or the child doesn’t fully understand the
directions. Watch for patterns to determine if this is the case.
Question #9: Elementary school starts at the year
the child will turn 7 in my country, with 2 yrs of kindergarten before
that (which is not compulsory). I saw that the 5-yr
curriculum is for pre-k. My question will then be: what’s the age for
elementary in ur country? In my case, should I then go directly to
year 3 curriculum and supplement any from yr2 if necessary?
It
sounds like your Pre-K is our Kindergarten and 1st Grade in the
States. I would think of the curriculum according to ages instead of
“years until Kindergarten.” Thus, I would use the 2 Year Curriculum with a 2 Year old….5 Year Curriculum with a 5 Year Old.
Question #10: What do you do if your preschooler is protesting and snaps crayons in half because she doesn’t want to color any more?
This question is similar to Question #8. I believe it is important to look at the big picture. Is the disrespect happening across the board or only during school time? If the behavior issues are throughout the day, then behavior modification needs to occur. If it is only happening during school time, then you need to try and figure out where the frustration lies.
Either way, destructive behavior needs to be dealt with. We talk a lot at our house how Daddy works hard to provide for us and we are dishonoring him when we don’t take care of our things (crayons). Also God has provided for our family and we are to take care of that which He has blessed us.
Crayons have become the icon of preschool. This causes many moms – including me – to be surprised when a child doesn’t love to color. What I have learned is that using crayons takes a lot of fine and gross (core) motor skills. Many children shy away from crayons because it is hard. And no one wants to do something that is hard if they don’t see benefit in it. I would encourage you to strengthen the child’s fine and gross motor skills. You can find many ideas (fine, gross) on the ABCJLM website and in the curriculum.
Secondly, place the coloring sheet on a wall or easel and have the child stand to color. This will increase core strength. Start small and increase the length of time that the child colors.
Tomorrow, question #11. And I need your help answering it! Please be sure to join our discussion.
Do you agree or disagree with any of these responses? Let us know!
