“…the mother must not miss this opportunity of being outdoors to train the children to have seeing eyes, hearing ears and seeds of truth deposited into their minds to grow and blossom on their own in the secret chambers of their imaginations.” Charlotte Mason, Volume 1, page 45

Getting outside is so important for children.  Exploring Nature is to be appericated at all ages.  New research has been suggesting a Nature deficit disorder in children. Research is also showing that getting children outdoors is helping ease attention disorders.  I know I am not an outside person at heart. I have had to force myself with my children outside. I have really enjoyed it to my surprise. So if you are like me start slow.  Good Grief this sounds like therapy doesn’t it?

Here are some ideas to get you started:

Don’t be afraid to get dirty. I remind myself of this every time my kids go outside.

Print out some coloring pages of flowers, birds, butterflies.  Make a Nature Journal.  Glue or tape in leaves or flowers you have found. Note the weather and where you were each time you collect something.

Pick up a Field Guide from used book store, or online.

Take a little stroll around the yard or local park.

Check out the birds and listen for them. Here is guide to help you identify the calls.

Collecting and sorting, sticks, leaves, acorns.

Note the difference in leaves. Leaf rubbings are fun with all sorts of different crayons. Collect acorns and sort the different ones. Make Acorn Soup! Take the caps off and make a craft.

Visit a local Nature Center provided by your parks and recreation. (They have FREE programs or low cost)

Have a Scavenger Hunt (Find a stick, acorn, pine needle, ant, butterfly)

What’s that you say? You live in the CITY. Well if you live in the city and have  nothing but buildings and streets your out of luck. JUST KIDDING!  If you must,  bring the outdoors inside.  Get some dirt and seed packets and plant those seeds! Have your toddler help water and tend to the flowers.  Make a journal every week of your flower growing. Talk about the sprouts coming up. Make a garden activity pack. Include coloring pages of flowers, parts of flowers, different tools used in a garden.  Whatever you decide to do enjoy spending time with your toddler.

What is your favorite outdoor activity with your Toddler?

Kelly is a mom of 4 girls. Homeschooling day by day in God’s grace. You can visit them over at Believe.

We’ve wrapped up a year of preschool at our house (majoring in algebra and anatomy), so we’re kind of experts.  At least we’re at the stage where we’re thinking about what worked and what we want to do differently for our next official year of preschool.

So we thought we’d share our lessons learned.  Freshman preschoolers, these are for you.  Sophomoric Experienced preschoolers, we’d love to hear your own lessons learned!

Create and post a detailed routine at preschooler height.  Use clipart so your preschooler can follow along and keep you in line.  “I CAN’T do my reading lesson now.  See, this schedule shows I have to play outside first!”  Yeah…

White-out the print button on your computer monitor.  Metaphorically, of course.  There are millions of awesome free preschool printables online on every topic under the sun.  I’ve printed enough to last us through third grade, assuming we are still reviewing shapes and colors and farm animals then.  My ink cartridge rebates cover our grocery bills some weeks.  So now I’m wise and simply save all the stuff, printing it on the day I need it.

Teach your preschooler to recite on demand the answer to 12 times 12.  This will give you a public boost whenever you’re feeling a little unsure of your teaching ability or homeschooling decision.  We’re working backwards on the 12 times tables at the moment.  Overachievers can throw in a few Latin words as well.  Or exotic country capitals.

Don’t overplan.  And don’t overspend.  At this age, your little student will change and grow so rapidly that his learning needs change overnight.  Keep plans simple and flexible.  Some of the best experiences we’ve had are impromptu tea parties, bear studies in an under-the-table den, outdoor frog hunts, and science experiments gone awry.

Do surround your preschooler with learning opportunities.  A nature table, lots of writing tools, books and more books, learning games, adventures and excursions - whatever she finds engaging.

Put it to music.  We’ve effortlessly learned continents, days and months, Bible verses, and a whole lot of other things with music.

Treasure these days.  I’m pretty sure these are my favorite years of childhood, and they are whipping by ever too fast.  Every day shows evidence of more learning than I ever thought possible, though not always through the lessons I had planned.  Don’t rush the growing up.  “When they tell you to grow up, they mean stop growing.” (Tom Robbins)

Do you have any tips to share with those planning their preschool year?

Jane and 4yo Esmé write about their daily adventures at Mozi Esmé.

Educating Layton

This week The Homeschool Village decided to share some fun preschool links from our blogging friends!

Delightful Learning - Mirette on the High Wire (Five in a Row) be sure to check out the circus fun in the backyard!

1+1+1=1 - Tot School Letter K -  print out your Kk printables!

Meet the Dubiens – Handprint Ballerina Tutu - a-dor-able !

ABC & 123 – Farm Themed Learning Activities –  everything you need for on the farm fun !

Itsy Bitsy Learners – Under the Sea Preschool Pack – get close to these cute sea animals!

Mama Jenn – Rainbow Pancakes – enjoy breakfast in style!

Our Country Road – Adding Postage Game – Free Math Printables!

Possibilities and Peas – 5 Reasons to Love the Library – there is much to do with your little one too!

Rockabye Butterfly - Feelings Count Lapbook - share the importance of feelings!

Homeschool Creations - Do-A-Dots Alphabet - print out these cute alphabet sheets and practice fine motor skills by coloring in dots!

What is your favorite preschool site?  We’re always on the hunt for a fun project to share!

We haven’t been hitting the books very hard lately.

What we have been doing is talking about graduations.

I know – it’s a bit early to start this conversation.  (Then again, much to my South African husband’s annoyance, we are all about graduation celebrations here in the US – from preschool, kindergarten, and all the way on up.)  But I do enjoy the celebration of milestones.

I’ve been thinking how the things we celebrate are the ones that shape our children’s lives:  as little ones, they start looking forward to their own graduations; their own weddings.  Not everything clicks for every kid, but that one dance recital, that one valedictorian speech, that one championship game, that one baptism, makes them think – I want to do that – be that – someday!

And so I’ve also been thinking about being more intentional in celebrations with my preschooler.   I’ve got no intention to dictate her personal goals, career choices, and aspirations, but the environment we create will set the bar, plant the seeds, light the path for her future.

• Explain the celebration. If attending a graduation or recital, discuss the steps it took to get there.
• Celebrate the everyday. I’ve spent so much of my life anticipating the next thing – living for the future.  It’s time to celebrate the first tulip in spring, the freshly-mown lawn, perfectly-ripe watermelon, the new shoe size.   I want my child to find joy in the moment.
• Celebrate excellence. Don’t mistake the everyday for the mediocre – excellence in the everyday is what’s worth celebrating.   Set the bar realistically high as you celebrate the well-set table, the first book, the flawless recitation, the grasping of a new math concept, the meeting of a deadline.
• Focus on the people. As kids, the focus of celebration is the presents.  As we get older, it shifts to the food – at least in our family.  Somehow, I’d like to shift the focus to the person, the achievement, and the people who contributed to the achievement.
• Be generous. Demonstrate giving to those being celebrated.  Don’t be stingy – and I’m not (necessarily) talking about money, but about time, attention to detail, and a host of other – more valuable – resources.
• Celebrate a variety of things. Attend a range of sports events, recitals, and parties in your friendship circle.  You never know what activity will spark your child’s interest.
• Mix traditional and new. It’s nice to have solid, meaningful traditions included in our celebrations that can be passed on to future generations.  Appreciate our heritage.   At the same time, many of my favorite memories were the exceptions that stood out from the traditions.  Don’t be afraid of trying new things.
• Support passion. Especially when they are little, it’s easy to brush off the excitement of twirly ballet dances and colorful picture essays.  When you see a passion develop, pay attention – and celebrate!
• Give God the glory. Acknowledge the Giver of all good gifts.

How do you teach your son to lead well?

Cheryl loves the Lord and prays He will be glorified in her imperfection. She currently homeschools four boys (three teens and a toddler). She’s drowning in testosterone but enjoying the journey. You can find Cheryl at her blog Somewhat Crunchy.