I am thinking of going the homeschool route with DS who is currently only 10 months. I have been reading all about homeschooling, the benefits, the drawbacks, the methods, etc and I am fairly certain that it is the way to go. What can I do now, with my baby? We typically play during the day and read when he lets me. Should I be doing anything else with him? Or just let him live/explore/ etc? It seems that is all that is important- just letting him learn on his own (and reading to him, of course) but I just want to make sure.
Too early to homeschool?
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This is all IMO and what I would do if I had a baby right now -
1) Don't start a TV habit. It's really tempting when they are young but just don't go there. I recommend getting rid of them all together : D
2) Talk all the time
3) Read all the time. The library will be your best friend. I've been working through the books suggested in "The Read Aloud Handbook".
4) Have open ended toys. I don't agree with every thing in it, but a good place to start is "You Are Your Child's First Teacher"
5) You might like "Slow and Steady Get Me Ready" for a back up plan. It;s got an activity a week from birth to the fifth birthday.
Other than that, it's all free play. Sometimes we do a circle time which is just doing nursery rhymes and movement games like Pat-A-Cake.
1) Don't start a TV habit. It's really tempting when they are young but just don't go there. I recommend getting rid of them all together : D
2) Talk all the time
3) Read all the time. The library will be your best friend. I've been working through the books suggested in "The Read Aloud Handbook".
4) Have open ended toys. I don't agree with every thing in it, but a good place to start is "You Are Your Child's First Teacher"
5) You might like "Slow and Steady Get Me Ready" for a back up plan. It;s got an activity a week from birth to the fifth birthday.
Other than that, it's all free play. Sometimes we do a circle time which is just doing nursery rhymes and movement games like Pat-A-Cake.
It's never too early! Learning just happens, follow your baby's lead.
Just paying attention to your baby rather than leaving him lying in a crib or playpen all day makes a HUGE difference!
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Once he knows a few words, start in with a second language. It's amazing how fast they pick up new things! All you gotta do is point him in the right direction, and try to keep up.
Just paying attention to your baby rather than leaving him lying in a crib or playpen all day makes a HUGE difference!
Once he knows a few words, start in with a second language. It's amazing how fast they pick up new things! All you gotta do is point him in the right direction, and try to keep up.
Sounds like you are off to a good start!
Take your child places, sling him, talk to him, play with him....get down on the floor and build with the blocks and let him knock them down. Get silly with the dolls and stuffed animals, dance and sing beautiful and silly songs.
My dh is a music teacher and has studied the effects of music on the development of young children. He seems to think there is something to mindset that "classical" music such as Mozart, Bach, etc. does improve mental concentration and learning. I don't know how much I buy into that, but it does set a nice enviroment and is pleasing to the ear.
Just enjoy your child and every moment of the day!
Take your child places, sling him, talk to him, play with him....get down on the floor and build with the blocks and let him knock them down. Get silly with the dolls and stuffed animals, dance and sing beautiful and silly songs.
My dh is a music teacher and has studied the effects of music on the development of young children. He seems to think there is something to mindset that "classical" music such as Mozart, Bach, etc. does improve mental concentration and learning. I don't know how much I buy into that, but it does set a nice enviroment and is pleasing to the ear.
Just enjoy your child and every moment of the day!
Thanks so much everyone. One question about a second language though. Do you hire an instructor for that? Get kids books in a second language or what? I know some Spanish and can read it well, but don't know enough to speak it well. Thanks.
Quote:
I don't have an opportunity to immerse my DD in a second language (Spanish) but through books and songs and 4 months in a once a week informal class in one mom's home, DD has picked up a fair amount of Spanish and enjoys learning new words. I can speak it somewhat (am rusty!) and read it, so that helps, but we consult our English-Spanish dictionary for vocabulary I can't remember or never learned. It's been fun for me, too!
| Originally posted by melaniewb Thanks so much everyone. One question about a second language though. Do you hire an instructor for that? Get kids books in a second language or what? I know some Spanish and can read it well, but don't know enough to speak it well. Thanks. |
'free at art' is a great book that will help avoid the coloring book, 'must-stay-in-the-lines' pitfalls that can come when it's time to let your little do some scribbling.
just talk and spend time. we listen to great music commercial free with our tv tho', (and our international channel is helping dd learn german & spanish), so i'm a fan
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suse
just talk and spend time. we listen to great music commercial free with our tv tho', (and our international channel is helping dd learn german & spanish), so i'm a fan
suse
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I am working with my girls (2 and 4) on learning spanish. We go to the spanish section of the library and get picture books labeled sp/e which have both spanish and english. We also get cassette tables and videos - we found the spanish version of Are you my Mother (Eres tu mi mama) and it has 3 short stories that are easy to make out. There is also a great video series Muzzy which I have borrowed from a friend.
We just try to learn a couple of new words or phrases every week and then use them a lot. I don't know much spanish but we are all learning together.
Kids are such little sponges that they just eat it up - they can already count to 12, and know many animals, colors, and household things.
We just try to learn a couple of new words or phrases every week and then use them a lot. I don't know much spanish but we are all learning together.
Kids are such little sponges that they just eat it up - they can already count to 12, and know many animals, colors, and household things.
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