homeschool cirriculum for a 4yo and 2yo.

[mamamelia]

i've realized that we have reached that critical point where the kids would like some sort of routine to thier day. this unschooling, do what you want thing is not working out. it frustrates me and my eldest craves some sort of order in the place. i also need a routine too or some sort of structure otherwise we end up wasting the day away completely. we already don't go out as it is, so my kids are pretty much home 24-7 5 days a week and this is becoming frustrating for them because it's quite boring at home (due to the lack of activities). they are starting to watch too many movies and it's time that stopped. we only recently decided to set up a home school room/play room but it's still unfinished. our house is small and suffocating and i hate it. we have to stay here until the baby is born though. we hope to move to a nicer, more leafy area with a huge backyard aplenty with green grass and trees to climb. i can only dream till then.

we don't go out much because i have chronic fatigue and a simple walk around the block when it's hot sometimes puts me out of commision for a few hours afterwards (or worse than that, gives me a migraine). i've been dealing (more so putting up) with CF for years. i will try to work around that but in the mean time... we can't go on like this, my kids are missing out on a joyous and enriching childhood. this is NOT what i wanted for them.

anyway, i've thought the hell with budgets and other restrictions that have been holding us back (or more so that i have been using as excuses too), i will start homeschooling like the way i originally wanted and not just keep hypothesizing for another 12 months, like i have been for the last 12 months. i'm tired of that. i'm tired of the procrastination, the collection of ideas, most of which none of my kids have seen yet. that's just BS.

it's over with. we are going to start. i am a bit of a perfectionist (have been since i was a child) so i often try to wait till everything is just right. well, i'm making it "just right" now even if it kills our extra play money for this month.

so anyway, i want something relaxed for them but still stimulating and some kindy "academics" for dd1 so that we don't hear too many comments from family (which only makes everything more stressful).

i've ordered books (some have come already) and art supplies (arrive next week) and written this list out tonight. i hope to start this in 2 weeks time. btw, i know i'm probably making it sound more complex than it should be. i should mention that i have been battling depression for years, add in CF, migraines and i also think i might have ADD (no offence to the ADD mamas, i am being genuine here.. i have a lot of trouble with concentration and i bounce from thing to thing very quickly and leave a lot unfinished)... and you'll see that i'm trying my best.

anyway, i thought on a daily basis we should:

*read from selection in our home library (our public library sucks) - at least 2 books per child (we have about 60 books for ages 2-8). child chooses books obviously.

*storytelling or puppetry

*have creative indoor play

*have active outdoor play (including sandbox)

*do one craft activity

*singing/dancing

*painting

*drawing

*baking and cooking

*one nature walk (i'll have to do this close to when dh comes home so that he can kind of take over afterwards - thankgoodness it's coming up to summer now as he doesn't come home till 7pm)

*puzzles and other manipulatives (we have a lot)

*age appropriate literacy/maths worksheet daily for dd1 - she enjoys doing these, it's not a forced thing.

oh, and i REFUSE to put the dvr on anymore. there is to be no more movie watching unless they are sick. i've had it with the screen. there is so much more they could be doing to enrich thier bodies and minds than watching movies.

did i miss anything on my list? does it sound age appropriate for a 4yo and 2yo?

i don't drive and we don't have much in the way of local stuff. we've tried playgroups and they didn't work out well. sometimes the kids play with the neighbours kids which is ok, but it's only once a week? the girls like to play with eachother anyway, i doubt they feel really deprived in this area. i think they feel more deprived in not having things to do together at home.

ok, please help me with my list. ANY ideas/links/comments are most welcome.

and if you read all of this, i congratulate you!

[mamamelia]

i should add that my main focus right now is on reading and engaging them in stories to help thier imagination flourish, expressing oneself through art and music and third focus is on spending time just being in harmony with nature and the seasons (so craft activities will reflect this but i'm not sure what else).

we don't garden and i don't want to dig the garden up now since the house is going on the market next month.

ok, awaiting the wise mamas thoughts and ideas!

[mommy2abigail]

I think your list is great! I've struggled with CF as well, so I totally understand where you are coming from, it's HARD! With me, it really does help to get outside, especially now that the weather is cooling off. Even just getting the kids to the park, and resting on the bench, it's a nice way to get their energy out without over exerting myself.

I don't think you need a curriculum though, if you aren't really into doing one. I'm a perfectionist as well, and I know if I can't follow the curriculum to a T, I'll get frustrated and discouraged. The thing I love about unschooling or relaxed homeschooling is that it gives you the freedom to have an 'off' day or a 'tired' day. I'm not a fan of the tv/dvd player either, but we do have a 'quiet' or 'resting' time in the middle of the day however, and they are allowed to watch a movie at that time. I figure one hour out of 12-13 isn't so bad.

Some books that have helped tremendously for me are:

Unplugged play - TONS of ideas for play without any batteries, tv, ect. Broken up by age.

501 Science Experiments - BIG binder full of experiments, broken up into categories (astronomy, biology, chemistry, ect)

The Instant Curriculum - Again, just full of ideas, broken up into themes, and also arranged into a monthly curriculum should you choose to follow it. We don't, but I will refer to it when I'm stuck for ideas.

'The Giant Encyclopedia' series - There is one for arts and crafts, one for science, one for circle/story times, and then also ones for infants, 2 year olds, 3 year olds, 4 year olds, kindergarten, ect.


You can either check these out of the library, or get them off amazon for pretty cheap. I would think that if you spent $20 on one of these books, it would give you enough ideas for both kids for a year or two...much cheaper than a whole curriculum! Plus then you could still personalize it, doing more on days you are feeling up to it, and less on days you are tired. It has worked out well for us any way.

[LionTigerBear]

Another great practice you can do at this age that encourages creativity, language arts skills, and self-esteem, is asking the girls to tell you a story they make up and write it down as they dictate it. Then you can let them illustrate it. You can also help them create and compose songs and record them. These will create really special keepsakes that they can keep all their lives.

[mamamelia]

brilliant!!! thanks guys!!!

i will check those books out right now on amazon...

i will add "asking the girls to tell you a story they make up and write it down as they dictate it. Then you can let them illustrate it" to the list! great idea! i need a lot of home based ideas since we can't really go to many places, so this is lovely and very helpful.

recording songs... thier songs drive me crazy. it's usually made up ones of kaka.. yes, poop. one regularly sung is "there was a kaka and it was brown and it was stinky.. and who done the kaka... why it was oogie (dd1's nickname for herself). oogie done a stinky!!!" and 2 year old claps for her sister.. or something else equally disgusting.



do they really want these at 30?

when they start to make up nicer songs, this is definitely an idea to keep in mind.

[umsami]

I think your list is great. One thing that really helped me was lowering my expectations as to what I'd get done in a day Another thing that really helped me was to sign a specific day to certain things...

So, for us, we do reading every day... both working on phonics and reading stories.

DS1 (5) loves to write and work on his letters, so he'll help me usually every day by writing stuff for me. Shopping lists... pretend restaurant orders...
interviewing me about something and writing my response (he likes to play reporter).... etc.

We sing songs every day, listen to music, and play with instruments.

Go outside in some form every day... either to the park, around the block, etc.

Math is on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

Monday is usually drawing.
Tuesday is baking.
Wednesday is painting.
Thursday is something involving cutting/pasting.
Friday is usually play dough.

Academic-stuff usually takes no more than 30 minutes/day, if that. The rest of the day is usually free play... with a regular times for being outside, reading and singing songs, and doing crafts.

[mamamelia]

hmmm good idea! what would i assign to each day though?

i am guessing that most of the activities will have a cap on them - not a forced one, but a natural one by the kids themselves. i don't think they will want to play with playdough for three hours or all day, probably one hour tops everyday, so "playdoh day" might not work out. maybe when they are older though.

i'm trying to keep the day flowing by having lots of different home based things to do.. but after a while i suspect this can probably get un-interesting too.. so maybe i need to have a theme of the week or something like that (e.g nature, people of all colours and races) and i'll adjust the craft activities and rotate the books accordingly too.
that might keep them interested for longer but still leave a lot to do during the day.

good food for thought. thanks!

[CheapPearls]

I think your list is great. I have a 4 and 2 year old also.

I love the book The Ultimate Book of Homeschooling Ideas.

[mommy68]

I agree with everything said so far. With 4 and 2 y o you really don't have to focus that much on a curriculum anyway. They are still very young. My 6 y o still spends most of her days with imaginery play, cooking, drawing, playing games, etc. We spend a lot less time on formal activities/core subjects.

[umsami]

Originally Posted by mamamelia

hmmm good idea! what would i assign to each day though?

i am guessing that most of the activities will have a cap on them - not a forced one, but a natural one by the kids themselves. i don't think they will want to play with playdough for three hours or all day, probably one hour tops everyday, so "playdoh day" might not work out. maybe when they are older though.

It's not a full day of play dough or whatever... probably 30 minutes to an hour. The day thing is just to add some structure. I guess, for us at least, we don't have a set three hour block for school. It's usually a lot of play... with little bouts of activities in between.

So... maybe... wake-up, breakfast, a bit of play...

Then songs, reading, phonics

Lots more play... snack

Math

Go to the park

Lunch

Craft of some sort

snack

play

dinner, bath, etc.

Storytime and bed

[nancy926]

What do you consider "wasting the day away?" They are 4 and 2...they should not be expected to be "productive."

A play kitchen (you can make one out of a cardboard box) and a box of dolls have gone a long way in this house...our kids will play with those things for a long time. Ditto watercolor paints, stringing beads on pipe cleaners, play doh, and cornstarch mixed with water (it makes this amazing goopy stuff - really fun to play with and easy to clean up)....

The more you "guide" them now, IMHO the more they will expect you to do it in the future. As much as you can, just let them be, unless you *want* to do something with them (I like painting and coloring and playing with trains, but I avoid pretend play like the plague).

[UUMom]

One thing that I found helpful when the children were younger was to set the house up in a way that they could help themselves and see what was available. OK, so maybe I didn't keep the arcylics too low for the 18 mos to get at too easilylol, but I did make sure things were out on shevles and ready to go. Fi, a little comfy area set up with a couple of sets of headphones, with the books and tapes etc in a basket.

An area with blocks, little animals, cars etc on a flat floor surface.

The art supplies set up in baskets or a shelf or two near an area that is easy to clean up easiy is a handy thing, too. Glue sticks out, paper at the ready, things like that. Add playdough, butter knives, cookie cutters, & things like that as well. I found that if my kids could see these items they were often inspired.

In Waldorf, they have daily doings, and while you aren't going to prevent kids from doing something they want instead, some kids look forward to special events and like anticipating.

Monday- Baking
Tuesday- Watercoloring
Wednesday- Library
Thursday- Special DVD (well, they wouldn't have this event in Waldorf lol)
Friday- Make playdough

Or something--

You kids are little, not to worry.

[Lillian J]

I have lots of suggestions in my article, A Pre-school and Kindergarten Curriculum, and on this preschool/kindergarten activity page - underneath the articles - you'll find annotated links to websites that are packed full of fun ideas.

There are also lots more good ideas in this article by the editor of Eclectic Homeschool Online - Preschool Homeschooling.

But even with all that, I wouldn't put movies off limits except when they're sick - they can be used in moderation and not feel like too much.

Have fun! Lillian

[Lillian J]

Originally Posted by UUMom

You kids are little, not to worry.

I'm on the run, and haven't had a chance to read through the thread, but this caught my eye - that's really the bottom line.

It's generally kind of hard to realize just how little they are now until they're older. Lillian

[mamamelia]

Originally Posted by nancy926

What do you consider "wasting the day away?" They are 4 and 2...they should not be expected to be "productive."

waking up, eating, watching a movie (they now request - uh, demand - this while eating), playing outside for an hour or so, coming inside, fighting with eachother, asking for a movie again, making a huge un-productive mess (not pulling out stuff to be creative - just making a mess cause they are bored), fighting a bit more, bugging me about tv again when i give them alternatives, eat again, nap, wake up, bath, play inside for 30 minutes but end up fighting again because resources are limited, at this stage we might do paint or playdough for another 30 minutes, watch another movie, continue to be like this till 1am or so every single night.

that IS a wasted day. there is hardly anything that they've done to enrich thier bodies and minds, except the little bit of outside play and eating good food at meal time. and i do believe children's lives should be "productive". your definition of productive is probably different to mine. my definition of productive is that they should be doing things appropriate to thier age on a daily basis - not just fight out of boredom/frustration and watch movies all day, everyday. that is not a life for anyone. and i'm trying to turn things around to ensure that they have lots of play based fun at home.

we've made toys out of craft stuff and it doesn't last long enough to play with well. the 2yo tears them up and they end up going in recycling. the other day we sat outside and made a pond, two ducks and two horses... 2 days later they were in the recycling bin because 2yo decided to take the animals to the bathroom (where no one was looking!) pluck the horses legs, rip the cardboard body up etc. this happens with a lot of the stuff we make. we have no where to put stuff up high (we live in a very small home and have stupid storage solutions), we don't have enough resources/materials for both the kids to play happily together without fighting every single time, we don't have a rythym to our day (it's everything and anything goes around here), we are just not on a good homeschooling/family life path. 4yo dd was quite happy at M school because there was structure and rythym to the day, i could see her changing and she was really enjoying "going to school" as she put it. but she has some sensory issues and it was sending her into overdrive everyday despite the fact that it was fun. on the odd occassion we've had a nice productive day at home and she didn't go into overdrive. it was the abundance of kids everywhere that was doing it and i realise that now (especially since she tells me she doesn't like too many people around her). but she STILL needs some structure, some rythym, not just "wake up and do whatever". i need some sort of structure too. i used to believe in unschooling, not so much anymore after implementing it since the beginning of march this year. i know my kids are young but i don't feel it was doing us any favours - i know 4yo dd NEEDS and craves structure and guidance.. that's her personality, i can't change that and i like to believe that i would do whats best for her regardless of whether it meshes with my own philosophies or not about kids finding thier own way in thier own time, kwim? she can still go at her own pace as time goes on but she needs some structure to "set the pace" or give a base to start on if that makes sense.
and this is coming from a continuum concept mama from the time 4yo dd was born! so i've had a very big shift in perspective i'll say that much.
she has come to me in the past and asked about stuff, right now she is asking me to teach her to read (!), she is equally as thrilled with her asking me and having that need met as much as me initiating a "lesson" and saying "let me teach you something". of course, lessons are short and we continue/stop whenever she would like to. she enjoys the aspect of teaching another person directly.. she even takes some books out and sits her sister down to teach her stuff, but explains everything and actually teaches her properly. she taught her how to count up to 16 about 1.5 months ago. it cracks me up.
the 2yo's personality i'm unsure about, she is more of a free spirit in general.. i believe she would be more of a CC/unschooling candidate. i'll probably have to school them differently as time goes on. right now though, i need to focus on the eldest a little bit more as she is in a more sensitive period than the 2yo would be in.

hence this thread!

there you have it. my life story.

[ABand3]

I'm thinking that a book like story stretchers or Five in a Row (or before FIAR, for your ages) might help you generate activities around a different book each week. One summer we followed BFIAR loosely, and took lots of tangents, but it made our activites feel connected and meaningful rather than scattered and random (though that' s sometimes good too).

[mamamelia]

thanks for all the input! i have a good list of stuff to do everyday, activities that are manageable, in line with what i want to do, not costly and should be enjoyable for both children.

[nathansmum]

One thing that jumped out at me re your most recent long post and being concerned about the crafts that get broken...I have realised that it's not so much the end result which is always important, but the process they go through in getting there. That is enriching in itself (unless your older dd is getting upset at the things being broken), so I wouldn't despair too much over those activities seeming like a waste of time - I really don't think they are. Just another perspective that might help.

All the best

[mamamelia]

thanks! you make a good point actually. dd does get upset sometimes (but mainly over art supplies/actual toys that are broken, rather than craft toys). i'm solving it by getting each dd thier own art supplies to use and take care of and teaching 2yo dd to be more gentle with the shared toys in general. the craft toys usually end up in recycling anyway. i'm thinking we are going to make lots of different funny faces, collages/mosaics with pre-cut peices (that i'll just cut out of coloured paper) and stuff from nature (seeds, leaves, pressed flowers), make wooden bead jewellery, basic knitting and sewing skills with colourful peices of fabric and yarn. they'd love all of that, it's creative and engaging and it isn't anywhere near as messy as the crafts we used to do.

btw, are you from australia? just thought you might be with a son named nathan and "mum" attached to the end of it. i'm an aussie mum myself - from sydney.

[nathansmum]

Hi! No, I'm Kiwi.

Since you guys are going into summer too, how about some form of gardening? Even if you don't have a patch to plant into, what about some large pots and plant some sunflower seeds or peas or herbs? They are both fast growers and you can observe the growth and discuss what's required to make them grow well, do some measuring and estimating etc.

At 4 I started reading chapter books to ds and that in itself has been awesome for the many questions, experiments, and a basis for play (the little house series has done heaps for hands on practical skills here - digging a well, making huts to reinact the houses they lived in, how planks were used to roll logs up onto a sled, cooking as pioneers did etc).