This book is a complete course of instruction for children ages 3 - 5, using simple, inexpensive materials that can be found in the home. It includes all of the basic concepts (such as letters, colors, numbers, and shapes), as well as areas such as manners, health and safety, and character development. Each weekly planning guide also includes recommended reading lists, field trip ideas, and snack activities.
Although this curriculum is structured to fit a regular 36-week school year, it is flexible enough to be used in almost any home setting under any schedule. Even working parents can select specific activities for evening or weekend hours. In addition, parents are given introductory material based on solid educational research and are pointed to additional resources to help them as they plan their children's instruction. Early Education at Home is an idea way for parents or day-care providers to stimulate the intellectual development of children in the comfort and security of their own homes.
View a sample weekly planning guide.
" . . . a happy medium which provides some structure yet is not heavy with time-wasters . . . 'Early Education at Home' is one of the few resources that . . . fits the home school situation and appropriately addresses the needs of young children."
- Cathy Duffy, Christian Home Educator's Manual"Even the working parent can use these fun ideas to enhance 'quality time' with their child while teaching valuable concepts."
- Christine Field, Life Skills for Kids"Undoubtedly the most comprehensive one-stop volume currently on the market for all your preschool-at-home needs."
- Diane Schrader, Northwest Baby and Child Newsletter"I'm amazed at how easy and fun it is to educate all of [my children] from the same curriculum."
- Susan Tuback, Blacksburg, Virginia"I am thrilled to have found your book. My four-year-old has taken well to our program. I love the flexibility!"
- Lois Marler, Rolla, MissouriEarly Education At Home is also the winner of a 1999 Practical Homeschooling Magazine Reader's Choice Award
Table of Contents:
- Introduction
- Understanding the Preschooler: The Key to Success
- explains the developmental needs of the preschool child and how easily they can be met at home
- Materials Used in Early Education-and Where to Get Them
- Skills Checklist for Kindergarten
- Suggested Home School Schedules
- Curriculum
- lists of suggested activities to teach colors, numbers, letters, and shapes
- Weekly Planning Guides
- 36 weeks of suggested activities, which the parent selects based on the individual needs and interests of the child
- Bibliography
- Ideas for Homemade Learning Centers and Games
- Computers and Young Children
- Additional Programs for Home Instruction (or what to do after you finish this book)
- Planning Sheets for Daily and Weekly Use
