Christmas 2008

The red and green Christmas boxes were pulled out the day after Thanksgiving and in no time, thanks to our four daughters, the house was transformed into a cheerful Christmas atmosphere. Each item pulled out brings back memories of years past; like decorations made by the children, special items given to us by dear ones and the nativity set that has survived five toddlers. I always display our little porcelain nativity set on a low table so our young ones can see, touch and learn about the best gift of all. It's surprising to me that we have rarely had a piece broken. I think even little children sense the awesomeness of God's gift as represented in these little figurines. Truly, Christmas is another expression of Thanksgiving and both of these holidays are miniature representations of what our lives are to be like. Our lives should be full of God's grace, generosity to others, and thanksgiving for life on earth and the hope of eternal life because of Christ's birth, life, death and resurrection. May everyday be Christmas and Thanksgiving in your heart.

Personal Devotions for Little Ones

Enough people have inquired about personal devotional books for pre-schoolers that I decided to post some things we have used with our children through the years.

For the early years, before your child is able to read, these are some we enjoy:

Bible Promises for Tiny Tots
Psalms for Tiny Tots
Tiny Tots Library
My Bible Friends
My Bible First Sabbath School Lessons
We have also used some of the daily devotional books for little ones from the ABC.
(All of the above can be obtained from the Adventist Book Center online. I hope they are all still in print.)

Some wonderful audios are:

The Ladder of Life
Thy Word Creations (Wonderful illustrated scripture song blooks)
Morning Time Devotions by Janice Smith

As our children became old enough to listen and draw pictures of what they were hearing, we decided to play an audio of someone reading the New Testament, one chapter a day, and have them draw a picture of what they heard. I love this! I treasure the "Illustrated" New Testaments that our three older ones completed years ago.

I'm sure there are hundreds of other ideas for personal devotions with pre-schoolers. These are just some we have used and are using. I would welcome input from anyone on this subject. Devotions should be a never-ending project.

Our Typical Day

This is our “skeleton” schedule. Some days it is adjusted for various music lessons. Our sundays are big project days also. But for the most part our days run on this schedule.

5:30 to 7:30 Rise, dress, & devotional (times vary per child)
7:30 Morning Worship
8:00 Breakfast
breakfast chores
9:00 School begins
1:00 School usually finished
1:30 Lunch
lunch chores
Free time or finish school
4:00 House chores
5:00 Family Time and projects
(optional supper to be finished before 6:00)
7:00 Prepare for bed
7:30 Evening Worship

Pre-School Education

Many mothers begin to think about their child's education when he/she reaches the age of 3 years. We wonder if their is anything we need to be teaching them at this young age. As far as a structured curriculum goes, every child is different. Ellen White says that many children are not ready for a formal education before the age of 10. This, of course, is not the rule.
There are many things your pre-schooler can be taught and must learn.

*Obedience is the first and foremost lesson we need to be teaching our little ones.
* Develop their attention span requring them to pay attention for periods of time and increasing it gradually.
*Capitalize on their wonderful memories and teach them scriptures, songs, and poems. (You can also teach them the names of the states and presidents. )
*Teach them to tell you what they see in a picture; tell the story that, they think, is happening.
*And read, read, read to them.

The best curriculum for , that I have found, is put out by the Critical Thinking Company:
www.ThinkingToLearn.com/113.html. They have wonderful programs that teach your pre-schooler not only to think but to think critically. This really builds the child's reasoning skills and prepares them for structured education. My youngest, who is now four, has enjoyed this curriculum for the last two years. She begs me to do her "school" with her and loves every minute of it.

Charlotte Mason Style Education

Charlotte Mason was an educator in England during the 1800's. Her approach to education is not traditional but emphasizes "strengthening the right". Though we don't see eye-to-eye on some of the suggested reading, much of what she taught reminds me of my favorite author and educator, Ellen G. White. If you are interested in a non-traditional approach and would like to learn more about Charlotte Mason's style of education go to the following websites:

www.simplycharlottemason.com (The free e-book is worth reading also the "Inside SCM" e-newsletter has valuable info.)

www.queenhomeschool.com (This is a homeschool family that publishes a curriculum that is Charlotte Mason Style.)

Curriculum Standards

I have received some questions concerning Curriculum Standards. Curriculum Standards are to be used as a guide. They are set up for classroom education purposes and are by no means the rule. Some children will excel in some areas while having difficulty in other areas, thus the blessing of Home Education. In a home school setting you are able to meet the needs of your child whereas in a classroom environment they may be unchallenged or left behind. Don't allow the standards to be a matter of stress. Use them as a guide. The end product is the most important thing.
For those who are interested in checking out the Curriculum Standards for Pre-k through 12th grade you may go the the following website published by World Book. (Of course, these are US standards.)
www.worldbook.com/wb/Students?curriculum

Some of the Curriculums We Enjoy

These are the curriculums that are currently meeting the needs of our family. I encourage you to prayerfully study the needs of your family and allow the Lord to lead you to the curriculums that are best for you.
If you are just starting out with home education and are unsure of the needs of your child I recommend you go with a “complete” standard education style program such as Rod and Staff, Abeka or Griggs then evaluate your needs at the end of the year.
May the Lord bless you as you prepare your family for Heaven.


Math
Saxon
www.saxonpublishers.harcourtachieve.com
Math-U-See
www.mathusee.com
Rod and Staff
www.rodstaff.com
Learning Vitamins
www.skillsmadesimple.com
The Critical Thinking Company
www.ThinkingToLearn.com/113.html.

Language Arts
Rod and Staff
www.rodstaff.com
Language Lessons
www.queenhomeschool.com
Easy Grammar Systems
English from the Roots Up (Greek and Latin Roots Study)
Learning Vitamins
www.skillsmadesimple.com
Analogies by Continental Press

Reading
Specific Skills by SRA/McGraw-Hill
Rod and Staff
www.rodstaff.com
Explode the Code
Rocket Phonics
ThinkingToLearn.com/113.html
The Barton Reading and Spelling System (For students with dyslexia)
www.bartonreading.com

Spelling
Learning to Spell
www.queenhomeschool.com
Rod and Staff
www.rodstaff.com
The Barton Reading and Spelling System (For students with dyslexia)
www.bartonreading.com

Bible
The Bible
My Bible First!
www.mybiblefirst.org

History
The Mystery of History
www.brightideaspress.com
Learning Through History Magazine
www.learningthroughhistory.com
The Story of the World (Must be used with discretion)
Peace Hill Press
www.ThinkingToLearn.com/113.html.

Science
Biology 101: According to the days of Creation
www.the101series.com
Christian Kids Explore Biology
www.brightideaspress.com
Christian Kids Explore Chemistry
www.brightideaspress.com