She’s been asking a lot lately if I have any homework for her to do. I’ve ended up printing a bunch of random worksheets from various online resources… she can sit for an hour doing worksheet after work sheet. She gets so excited too… “I did it!”
Hopefully this enthusiasm lasts through high school and college.
Does anyone else print “homework” for their kids?? What are your favorite resources? I’d like to have some variety.
I am not a fan of worksheets, although if she likes doing them, it certainly isn’t a bad thing. I just wouldn’t force it if she got tired of it (not that I think you would).
You will never see a worksheet at an accredited preschool. You would see more hands on learning (you do that stuff all the time ’cause I’ve seen your posts on lego’s, playdough, etc.) I think social skills are tons more important at that age and are often overlooked (again, I’m not talking about you because it is obvious from your many conversations that Bridget is advanced in that area as well).
So, there’s my two cents from a geeky girl with a degree in preschool education (who doesn’t really want to teach preschool…just be a mom).
My favorite resources are preschool sites with open-ended art activities (not crafts), and field trips to the store, library, or pretty much anywhere. Obviously with a baby it’s hard to get out, so if she likes the worksheets, then it certainly makes life easier for you!
Here is an address to a list of preschool activities that I posted on another blog. http://aprongirls.blogspot.com/2008/08/preschool-activities.html
Felicia – I’m with you. I don’t particularly like worksheets either… but she doesn’t seem to view that as “homework” and sometimes has an aching to do homework. I think it stems from seeing daddy do homework (on paper) as well as going to the “Ready Set School” program at the family center… they ALWAYS send her home with worksheets (most of which I just throw away).
At any rate, if gives her something to do while I make dinner, and she seems to like it.
I’ll check out that link you sent. THANKS!
Ooh, one more idea. This one is right up your alley. Check out this website: http://www.createsticksandstones.com/?gclid=CI6ajJyPjJkCFQ_yDAodOT_zkg
A mom started this awesome business by taking her kids on walks and looking for letters in nature. She wanted to document their time together by taking pictures. I could totally see you doing this with Bridget. It’s so much more fun than a worksheet, but teaches letters AND social skills AND uses energy, etc. That’s the kind of stuff I love.
I saw your comment on my blog. You’d be surprised at how fast you can collect that dramatic play stuff…and art supplies for that matter.
My kids used to get a dramatic play kit for every birthday and Christmas. A lot of them are full of homemade stuff (like the campfire made out of paper towel rolls and orange tissue paper).
When I started the preschool in my home (I only did it for a year before we moved to Hanbury) I spent $100 bucks on art supplies. We seriously JUST ran out of construction paper last year, so it lasted for almost 7 years! I’m still using the washable paint that I bought back then…so it’s a one time investment that paid off for a long time.
I remember the beautiful junk room :o) I went to Ricks, but we took a tour of the USU and BYU facilities. I’m not very good at keeping that kind of stuff around anymore…no space. In fact, I’m not very good at doing any of that stuff with Dillon. My older two were “all preschooled out” by the time they went to school, and sadly the third child has been shafted. Sigh.
I think it’s adorable that Bridget wants to do homework like her dad :o)
I love it! I’m sure she just sees what is important to Dad and wants to do it herself. I’ve always felt that if my kids think “homework” is a fun thing to do they should do it. I’d love it if you would share the website you use to get the letters they can trace.
One of my fav sites is http://www.dltk-holidays.com They have more than just holiday stuff it’s a ton of different crafts, games and worksheets.
Angie – all of the worksheets seen in the pictures came from http://www.tlsbooks.com/preschoolworksheets.htm
They don’t have every letter to trace though, I noticed.
Sandra – thanks for the link. I’ll have to check it out.
Sorry, I don’t have any links for you to check out, but it looks like you have a bunch of great ones already. Andrew is never interested in the worksheets his teacher sends home, and he rarely wants to color or practice writing – so I think it’s great that Bridget has an interest. It’s like you said – at least it keeps her busy while you cook dinner!!