One of our big projects for school was moving the school room downstairs. Previously, we had been using the downstairs living area as a master bedroom. It was the only way we could sleep near the kids. But we decided with a baby monitor and kids that usually sleep through the night it didn’t matter that much. The upstairs attic room makes an awesome master bedroom, and the downstairs living area makes an awesome school room. It was a good move. (Minus the occasional two-flight of stairs in the middle of the night to adjust Mr. C’s blankets and tell him to go back to sleep.)

Now we can paint on already paint-stained tile:

I’ve been picking red a lot to paint with it, and I have no idea why. It reminds me far too much of blood and has the greatest tendency to stain. I do like only giving the kids one color to paint with, it is just a little more simple.

The kids also made a cool hat with piper cleaners and a colander.

Now Mr. C is going to time travel past his whiny, crying far too often stage. (Or I can hope. He is a sweet kid, just recently he is discovering he wants things he can’t get and he doesn’t like it.) Speaking of wanting things, nothing gets the kids into the kitchen like announcing that I am making cookies. They love, adore, and nearly worship cookies. Here is Mr. C covered in cookie dough.

One final picture of a contact paper collage. The collage was worked and re-worked for a couple of weeks. PB is now old enough to cut out his own shapes too.

I made a list for a friend of many of the resources I use for at-home school with PB, who is currently 4 and two years away from kindergarten. Thought I would share.

Books:

Creative Resources for the Early Childhood Classroom By Judy Herr:  I bought a past edition off amazon for the cost of shipping.  The book organizes activities based on themes. It has art projects, finger plays, sensory activities, music, and more. It is probably what I use the most to plan our school.

Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons: My mom had this book growing up. I remembered it. I’m 18 lessons in teaching PB to read and we are enjoying it. It is helping PB get used to a little more structure than we often have, and as a side benefit I think it is also helping Mr. C in his language as he listens to us. A lesson takes around 15 minutes, it is phonetically based. PB was ready for it at four. And he is learning to read quite rapidly, just doing one lesson a day.

Activity Blogs:

Fun at Home with Kids: This blog is very popular, and for good reason. Her kids are similar in age to my own, and she has a lot of fun activities and ideas.

Growing a Jewled Rose: More fun activities, and check out the baths too.

Play Create Explore: This one isn’t updated anymore, but has tons of fun ideas in the history:

No Time for Flashcards: This one had more traditional educational activities on it, along with book recommendations.

Other Websites:

Teacher Tom: I read this blog for a while. It has some preschool activities, lots of thoughts on preschool development and some political posts.

Printable Packs: I print out packs here. There is also a link to simpler tot books at the end of the page.

Here’s 71 Things Your Child Needs to Know Before Kindgarten

I also sometimes look up Montessori and like activities, although haven’t found a website or source that I always got back too.

I’ve never felt the need to buy a more formal curriculum (well except the book listed above). I try to keep a play-based environment, and lately we have room devoted to school activities. There are many more resources out there, but this is what I use and give anyone interested a place to start. Hope it helps!