Catholic Mamas - a question:

[elanorh]

I'm wondering whether I should look for a homeschool program (or something like it) for my kindergarten daughter.

Our parish doesn't start CCD for kids 'til first grade; they have the 3-5 year olds leave the 10 am mass and go to basically a day care during mass, instead. I think kids are part of the Body of the Church and there's no reason to remove them from the celebration of the mass. And, besides, we go to a later mass since we keep a later schedule at our house.

I had looked forward to Ina starting CCD this fall - in part, because of the socialization. We are homeschooling her, and I was looking forward to her hopefully meeting some kids from church who'd be playmates for her. I had also thought that it would be nice to just start the CCD program for her, too.

I've taught her a few prayers, and we pray together every night before bed and at meal times. She has those prayers memorized. We have some religious books (some Tomie de Paolo stuff, Jan Brett's Noah board book, The Tale of Three Trees, etc.). I sometimes talk about what is happening at mass with her, etc. too ... we talk about Easter or Christmas etc. from a spiritual perspective.

Do I need to do more? Is there some sort of at-home easy little program I could incorporate into our week? Or just keep up what we're doing and wait 'til next year?

Thanks in advance for thoughts and advice.

[Ofwait]

Catholic Children's Treasure Box by the Maryknoll Sisters

My kids love it, it has little stories and activities. I found it at emmanuelbooks.com

[Truvie]

We use Catholic Mosaic (a Charlotte Mason living books approach) and Home Catechesis Manual for Ages 3-5 by Moira Farrell (Montessori, really great, available from Our Father's House).

[kdabbler]

Although CCD doesn't start in our parish until 1st grade as well, I learned that the publisher they use now has a kindergarten program with videos:
http://www.webelieveweb.com/

[Bluegoat]

What is it that you want her to get out of it? If you do it at home, the social aspect won't be a factor. What do the kids do in nursery?

I think the things you are doing now are most important at that age, habits, a way of thinking, stories that shape the understanding.

The reason programs don't start until first grade, is that first grade is when formal education is thought to best start. Primary education has, until recently, just been about learning social skills and getting used to the routine of school. In many places it was actually optional - rather like what pre-kindergarden is now.

Only recently has there been a move in some places to make it "academic." How wise or successful that is is questionable.

Why not begin to work systematically through a good children's bible, maybe do one or two stories a week. You could do it chronologically, according to the church seasons, or read on an OT and a NT story each week.