I understand. I'm teaching MFW1 to my nearly-6 yo (he did K last year) and CTG to my 8 and 10 yos. My 3 yo constantly is vying for attention (usually in not so nice ways). I won't suggest more toys, you've got those. Here's what's helped (some!) in our family:momto4boys wrote:I'm hsing 2 ds and have a 3yo and 10 month old. I would love to do more w/ my 3yo, but by the time we get school in, I nurse a baby and regular everyday activities, he gets left out. He's not the type to just sit and play while we're having school either. He's my "swing from the chandelier" child or "bouncing off the ceiling" child. After evaluating the last month of hsing I've decided that I need something that he and I can do together.
I bought the 2-3yo package from MFW and we do that some...what I'm wondering is if the 3-5 yo package w/ book would be better since it actually has a teacher's manuel to tell me what to do....anything that doesn't require me to think right now is greatly appreciated.
Is he too young? Have any of you tried or done something different? We have playdoh, wooden train set, blocks, a kitchen set, animals, books....Lauri toys........so I don't want to add just a new toy thinking THAT will occupy him for a while. Help!!!
Tiffani
1. Set aside date times with the little one. My three bigger kids go to 3 hours of classes on Wednesday so the 3 yo and I do special things. This week, it was the zoo. I'd rather clean and pay bills then, but she needs the attention then.
2. Look for old workbooks that are colorful so that the three year old can sit and "do school" with the older ones. We've got an old math workbook that didn't click with one of my older kids and now my younger one sits there and circles and doodles the drawings in the book. The book is way above her level, of course, but she feels important "getting out her math" when the others get out theirs.
3. Make extra copies of the ECC or CTG (whatever) pages for the 3 yo. My little one likes coloring in ECC flags or CTG history pages.
4. Give the 3 yo school supplies. All my bigger kids have their own colored pencils and real pencils and a glue stick in a special zipper pouch. So does my 3 yo.
5. Give the 3 yo chores along with the rest. At least, get the 3 yo a kiddie broom and dustpan or a dusting glove (we use the throw away Pledge brand ones).
6. If it helps, assign the bigger kids time slots to read to or play with the younger one. That will give you time with just one of the older ones for concentrating on tough math or spelling, etc. Or, use the time to nurse baby, etc. Sometimes attention from a sibling does the trick.
I'm going to be following this thread because we are definitely not "there" when it comes to an occupied preschooler.
HTH (and I would love other ideas too...)