Friday, June 23, 2006
Pre-Kindergarten Curriculum
Here in Florida, there is now universal Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten (VPK) offered. Makes me kinda wonder when it'll become mandatory. Jeff and I have pretty much decided not to do it with Parker, even though his 3 close friends will be going to various pre-Ks. The question we are most often asked is what curriculum we plan to do this year for his education, which I find a little odd for 4-year olds.
So, no, we are not planning on any formal curriculum, though we do get the Brighter Vision Learning Adventure boxes each month (Parker asks EVERY DAY if there is a new box in the mail for him!!) which are really cool. I just take what we normally do in a day and figure out a way to make it into a life lesson. And, of course, we are doing additional things now (like his O2B Kids classes) that help with socialization and learning to listen to another adult.
I also keep track of what he's learned, is learning, and keep making sure he's progressing:
communication: reading, telling stories, describing pictures, logical progression, (need to work on writing and drawing), computer skills;
mathematics: logic/order, shapes, addition, subtraction, sets, time, (need to work on fractions);
motor skills: puzzles, legos, gross motor movement (Karate class), spreading peanut butter, playdough, (need to work on writing, drawing, scissors);
independence: dresses self, uses bathroom on own, washes self (for the most part), starting to feed self (getting food from fridge, etc.) and pour own drinks, (can't think of anything to work on -- independence isn't an issue around here!!);
social skills: participates in classes three days a week, participates in playgroups two days a week, plays with sister every day (working on sharing and NOT fighting), initiates play with others at park/mall/etc., can play well on own, understands waiting, taking turns, standing in a line, working on listening/patience, still working on best ways to express/handle emotions (having younger sister makes this harder, as she's just getting into expressing emotions!!).
Labels: community, homeschooling, Parker, playgroup
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