aven With divorced, single parent and other non-traditional family structures, today’s preschooler can experience a much more fluid upbringing than their peers in traditional family situations. Their actual number of family members, for instance, can increase dramatically (and very quickly) with a remarriage. A post-divorce break-up, on the other hand, can do the opposite – aside … Read more
Offering choices teaches life skills and can actually improve behavior. Preschoolers need to practice decision-making skills and parents need preschoolers to stay on schedule, clean up and brush their teeth, along with a number of other issues. When parents offer age appropriate choices, both preschoolers and parents get behavior benefits. By following simple guidelines, parents … Read more
Trying to keep preschoolers safe, without quashing their need to learn through hands-on exploration, can seem an unending and utterly nerve-wracking exercise in disaster management. Most parents of preschoolers baby-safe their homes before the onslaught of crawling, walking, running and climbing (all coming in quicker succession than seems possible), which is likely the best approach. … Read more
Cookie Monster, the lovable Sesame Street character who gobbles up cookies by the fistful, is an adorable furry creature. Of course, he’s a puppet, a toy – he never gets fat, and he’s blue to boot. Gift Monsters, on the other hand, are our very real children who consume presents and toys – whether expensive … Read more
Playdates offer more than just a few hours of fun with other kids. The opportunity to interact with other preschoolers and adults in new and exciting settings builds important skills. Preschoolers who regularly attend playdates benefit from improved social, emotional and physical development. Social Development Gathering with other preschoolers gives kids a chance to learn … Read more
Think about how you responded the last time your preschooler asked for your attention. Were you busy with something else so you ignored him? Did you listen for a few seconds, only to have your thoughts wander? Or did you focus 100 percent of your attention on your preschooler? Of course, preschoolers don’t come straight … Read more
Many preschoolers struggle with separation anxiety when they are dropped off at preschool. Preschool is often one of the first experiences that preschoolers have away from their parents or primary caregiver. Some preschoolers will scream or cry when they are dropped off at preschool. This could go on for weeks without any improvement. It does … Read more
Rattletrap Car Written by Phyllis Root Illustrated by Jill Barton From the Book “Poppa turned the key, brum, brum, brum, brum. Clinkety clankety bing bang pop! They were off to the lake in their rattletrap car. They didn’t go fast and they didn’t go far when…” About the Book Rattletrap Car is the humorous story … Read more
As you begin your homeschool journey, you will have many questions. One place to find what you need is through support organizations. Homeschooling has been a vital and thriving educational alternative for over 25 years, producing many knowledgeable people just waiting to help you succeed. Homeschool organizations usually include membership and contain resources to support … Read more
Preschooler Learning Styles Many people have discovered that one-size-fits-all education often found in institutional settings does not serve all children equally. Often, families homeschool in order to customize an education that better fits their child’s needs. To create the optimal learning environment for your homeschool, you should take several things into consideration; personality, temperament, strengths, weaknesses, … Read more