Lifestyle “Preschool”
By Stacey | Posted on May 13, 2010 | No Comments
From the time I was a first-time Mom with one child, I dreamed of providing “preschool-like” experiences at home for my toddlers and preschoolers. I used to drool over those daycare supply catalogs that somehow made it into my hands. I had been collecting children’s picture books since before I was even married!
When my oldest was three, I read a fantastic homeschool catalog that had lengthy segments to train newbie homeschool parents and provide thoughtful recommendations on many products. I was captivated and bought many things that they recommended. One of those was a preschool/kindergarten curriculum which was very basic and affordable. The author laid out a great plan on how to teach “preschool/kindergarten” simply and easily in the home. I was pumped! Unfortunately life set in. I would start boldly with each new preschooler, and meet defeat every time!
Now, I would recommend this book to anyone. It wasn’t the book’s fault. It was mine. When I only had two kids (close enough to do the curriculum together), I wasn’t organized and disciplined enough to do it regularly. As we added more children, just doing life and keeping the older ones learning always seemed to prevent me from carrying out a regular preschool time with the preschool-aged children.
I felt so bad! My shelf full of cool preschool supplies and activities seemed to mock me. When would I ever fit it all in?
The rigors of teaching a large family at home cannot be understated. In my house, the older children often eat up almost all my teaching time. Now, I know there are large families out there where the Mom schedules 30 minutes or so with her littlest members for a “school time” to get their little love tanks filled before she switches focus to the older kids. I have tried this, but I’ve never been able to keep it up.
So, are my little ones deprived, empty-hearted and way behind when they enter kindergarten or first grade? No! I’ve learned to make “preschool” more of a lifestyle. That’s in no way a put down for the Moms who clear time for it on the schedule. I applaud them. But if you are like me, I want to encourage and inspire you on how to accomplish the same things as you go. Be sure to come back for the next installment of Lifestyle Preschool.