I'm loving the Table-Time Look & Learn “Mostly Math” learning tablecloth! Can you imagine sitting at this educational tablecloth? Your kids, ages 18 mos. to 6 years, will discover 20 fun, interactive math concepts. Table Time Learning Tablecloth for PreK - K Here's the whole picture of what's on the tablecloth . . . Look how many concepts! Sit here and you'll get to practice your … [Read more...]
My Child is an Advanced Kindergartner, What Should She Read?
Advanced Kindergartner Reader Question Dear Melissa, Hi there! I follow your blog and love it! I have a question for my daughter. She's a kindergartner. She can read just about anything put in front of her, but wants to read chapter books. But, she often gets overwhelmed by a lot of words on a page. Also, the comprehension skills need work. She'll fly through the words, but misses a lot of … [Read more...]
Flash Cards or Finger Paints: Should Academics or Play Be the Goal of Preschool?
by Amy Webb, parent, educator, and blogger at The Thoughtful Parent. If you are the parent of a preschool-aged child, you have probably put quite a bit of thought into what type (if any) of preschool to enroll your child. If you’re like me, you had no idea how complicated a decision this could be until you started delving into the topic. Play Based vs. Academic Preschool One of the first … [Read more...]
Confessions of a Bad Kindergarten Mom (and Bob Books)
As you know, JJ is in kindergarten and I've been frustrated with her school's lack of differentiation and reliance upon worksheets during reading time. I couldn't believe how little JJ could read. We needed reading help. Luckily, Bob Books saved me. When I asked a trusted reading expert to assess JJ in reading and the results shocked me -- JJ was at a preschool reading level and didn't know … [Read more...]
Why I Don’t Want to Send Her (Back) To School
** I originally removed this post after extreme backlash from the school. I am returning the post to my blog because it's my opinion and I have the right to express it and I will not be bullied by veiled threats. ** 9/2011 update on Advocacy and Parental Involvement in Schools I’m dreading sending my girls back to school. In JJ's class, the art activities are something like this: A … [Read more...]
5 Essentials To Be Ready for Kindergarten
Kindergarten Readiness by children's author, Audrey Vernick, of Is Your Buffalo Ready for Kindergarten? As children prepare for their first day of kindergarten, parents everywhere, well, kind of lose their minds. Some of them. Not you, of course. But maybe someone you know. Parents worry. What if their child’s not ready? What if he cries? What if he’s the only one who can’t use scissors or … [Read more...]