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kbfsc
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| Posted: Oct 19 2010 at 3:08pm | IP Logged
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My #3 is newly 4 and has decided that he wants to "do school." I don't want to discourage that! But I'm a bit embarrassed to say that I'm not quite sure where to start. I'm all about gentle and sweet but because my others went to preschool and received much of their reading-readiness, etc. there I'm not sure how to go about it. He's also a different personality, so I'm uncertain as to how to package the things we have done with big brother and sister for him. I imagine there has been discussion about this here before but I wasn't sure what to search for... So - advice or suggestions for past discussions to refer to would be most appreciated. Thank you, as always!!
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Kiera
happy mama of ds '02, dd '03, ds '06, dd '09 and little ones in heaven
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SeaStar
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| Posted: Oct 19 2010 at 8:12pm | IP Logged
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To start very simply, just make sure he knows all his letters. (He may already know them  ). Then once he can say them all and name them, you can very gently progress to teaching him the letter sounds.
Things like fridge magnets and tracing letters in sand (or a shoebox lid filled with corn meal) are fun for that age, as well as sorting different items into groups. Simple art projects (water color set, crayons) and fun finger rhymes are also great at this age.
You can make your own "story time" by putting several seasonal books into a basket and letting him choose a couple each day for you to read.
A lot of Montessori projects are great for this age and so easy to make at home. There is a sticky note at the top of this forum with links to many great resources and ideas.
What a fun age- have fun!
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Melinda, mom to ds ('02) and dd ('04)
SQUILT Music Appreciation
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JodieLyn
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| Posted: Oct 19 2010 at 8:16pm | IP Logged
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If you're ok with the occational dvd viewing.. I can't recommend Leap Frog Letter Factory enough. It taught one of my kids the sounds of letters when NOTHING else was working.
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Jodie, wife to Dave
G-18, B-17, G-15, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, B-7, B-5, B-4
All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
-Sir Walter Scott
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guitarnan
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I think this is a lovely time of year to start, with Thanksgiving and Advent just around the corner...you have so many wonderful picture books to choose from!
You can also have him count various types of items (cans in the cupboard, coins, etc.) and sort items by shape.
Playing with an eyedropper and water (moving water from one container to another via the eyedropper) is excellent for developing fine motor skills, and children love to do this!
Sigh...I miss those days... 
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Nancy in MD. Mom of ds (24) & dd (18); 31-year Navy wife, move coordinator and keeper of home fires. Writer and dance mom.
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Erin
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Kiera
You have already received some solid advice, and Melinda suggestion of the 'Sticky topics' is wonderful, it was to there I went myself when recently planning what to do with my 4 & 6 yr olds.
Thought I'd share what I came up with after combing through here, I'm using block periods to be flexible with the attention span on the day, working around the older dc and whether my little ones have had their interest caught elsewhere.
Block A - Prayer time/hymn (with olders)
Faith Time - My Jesus and I chart, Simple Catechism discussion and Bible/Faith story (Saint of the day if we have book). Singing-20 Religious Songs.
Block B - Seat time
Puzzles and Mont. type activities.
Ideas listed at bottom.
Block C - Sandpit/Outdoor Play time
Block D (MTea)- Nature Hunt
Bring back finds and display, label
Block E - Picture Bk Time, Poetry
@30 min. Theme based
Themes: Spring 3 weeks
Australian 4 weeks
Advent 3 weeks
Block F - Art/Craft (Pic study)
Playdough etc
Block G (after lunch) - Handcrafts, Board Games
Seat time Ideas:
Stringing Beads
Stencil Work
Pink Series Reading Cards
Sorting Nature Finds
Letters with Playdough
Coloured Sand Trays
Numbers to Object Amounts
Lacing Cards
Fabric Cards
Colour Cards
Cutting
Baster
Stamping
Shape Sorting
Letter Sound Boxes
*I'm going to be really honest and admit that in two weeks I have managed only three days of my plans, and we have only ever made it to Block E. However we have a plan, just in case 
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Erin
Faith Filled Days
Seven Little Australians
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kbfsc
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| Posted: Oct 23 2010 at 1:48pm | IP Logged
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So helpful, Ladies, thank you! I will spend some time looking through the resources. I like your "blocks" especially, Erin. It makes good sense to me to have some things in place and ready for him when the opportunity arises. I tried a few things this week and it just didn't materialize in between the needs of the "big" kids. My mom suggested that I spend one-on-one time with him with the others are at soccer practice - and I think that might be a great idea. He's feeling bored and unnoticed, I think, and his behavior is reflecting it. So some just little man and mommy time sounds like just the ticket. Plus we'll be learning. Hooray! More ideas and wisdom are welcome, too...
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Kiera
happy mama of ds '02, dd '03, ds '06, dd '09 and little ones in heaven
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Susana
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You may also want to look into Hooked on Phonics for kindergarten. Also, There's a book called Montessori Read and Write that has some great suggestions and was written for use in the home
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Mami to ds12,ds11,ds10,ds8,dd7, dd4, and ds 2.
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dolorsofmary
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I would highly recommend starting with a charlotte mason based approach with 'For the love of literature' by Maureen Whitman. I love this book list and there are other great book lists out there too like Books that build character. Now if that is not enough you can try Little Saints preschool program. I got it 1/2 price off of cathswap and my son (well he is a young 5, very rambucious and did not want to do K work yet but wants to do school) loves it. I am enjoying it too. Little saints can be very Mom intensive. I understand that those who had least amount of stress with it did all the prep work in the summer. I have an one and only so I do the prep as I go along because I can. Good luck and God speed.
Rosemarie
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SeaStar
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I second Little Saints. We didn't follow it exactly, but we used many of the ideas and books listed. My dc enjoyed it.
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Melinda, mom to ds ('02) and dd ('04)
SQUILT Music Appreciation
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Willa
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You probably already know this, but it might be good to find out what "doing school" means to him. He might have very definite ideas.
Also, it's important to remember that what seems like a tiny bit of very light academic work to an adult can be quite taxing to the brain and nervous system of a small child. I think that's why Erin's block idea with a Montessorian choice of activities is so good.
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AMDG
Willa
hsing boys ages 11, 14, almost 18 (+ 4 homeschool grads ages 20 to 27)
Take Up and Read
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4Real Forums : Nurturing the Years of Wonder
Topic: advice for starting from scratch, please
