Can I help you?

[missyvb98759]

Hi,
I am just wondering if any moms would like any help. I have my degree in Early Childhood Education (preschool-3rd grade), I am a mom to a 6 month old, I have taught preschool, and I have middle school.high school siblings. I have wonderful ideas for all different age groups, as-well as book ideas, websites and different resources. Let me know the age and gender of the child and the topics or type of projects you are looking for. Or also new skills you are trying to get across. I would love to help. I can be busy during some days so be patient and I will write back!!

Melissa

[Mama3A]

My 4 yr old writes with both hands (not at the same time) What activities can I do to help her improve dexterity?

(and do you know is it common to write with both hands?)

[missyvb98759]

A lot of kids at 4 do "write" with both hands. Does she have a preference? Try silly things like playing "Color with one hand behind to your back". Also have her trace things you have drawn, draw things with a highlighter and have her trace it with a pencil. A fun way to do this is after you draw, tape the paper the bottom of a table that she can fit under well. Then she can lay on her back and draw on the paper. Its just a twist. I hope this helps!! Also try putting a sticker on the part of the writing untensil where you would like her to use. This will help the dexterity.

Quoting Mama3A:

My 4 yr old writes with both hands (not at the same time) What activities can I do to help her improve dexterity?

(and do you know is it common to write with both hands?)

[libby18]

i have a daughter who is 3yrs old and is not in preschool or daycare so i try to teach her at home. she can count really well and knows her colors and shapes but we're just starting to work on letters and some phonics. do you have any ideas to help with the alphabet and reading skills?

[missyvb98759]

Take index cards and write letters on them, place them on objects that start with that letter. Do this all around the house and talk to her about them through out the day. Sign her up for your local library story time to incourage her enjoyment of reading.  You can also practice singing the Alphabet using the sounds not the letters (AHH,Ba,Ca,Da....).

Quoting libby18:

i have a daughter who is 3yrs old and is not in preschool or daycare so i try to teach her at home. she can count really well and knows her colors and shapes but we're just starting to work on letters and some phonics. do you have any ideas to help with the alphabet and reading skills?

[libby18]

That sounds like a great idea. thanks!

[momtwo4]

I am a first year preschool teacher (Christian based, three hour program, ages 3-5).  I am looking for some simple & fun games we can play on Valentines Day.  Also I am needing a fun activity for a first grade Valentine Party and a fourth grade party.  Any ideas or websites?  Mostly what I have found are craft ideas.

Thanks,
Lisa

[Mama3A]

We have a great Valentine's Thread going on - check out Cupid's Arrow!

If Valentine's is over when you read this - try our St.Patrick's Day and Easter Threads! Check the directory to find them!

[Mama3A]

This isn't really a craft question - but I thought I'd ask it anyways. My daughter is 4 and in her first year of preschool. She is having a hard time. She isn't really bad but every class there is something. One week she wouldn't stop talking in circle time, another she wouldn't help clean up so she didn't get a stamp,  today she was special helper - wich she has been wanting to do and had that privelage taken away because she was holding open a gate to the stairs as asked and closed it, on purpose, on someone. (hard enough it was an issue)

She doesn't participate fully - if she feels like doing what they are doing she's active and the teacher says she has things to contribute BUT if she's not interested she just wants to sit in the corner and read a book.

The time I have been parent helper I watch her play around the other kids but not really with them. I don't see her engageing in conversations or planning a play like "let's put the doll in bed , then you be the Mommy" etc.

At home I see her engage in play with her sister (6) but her sister mostly leads the play.

Should I be concerned or is this just a maturity thing? I feel like she's "behind" the other kids although she learns the songs, alphabet, shapes etc. She seems to grasp the learning concepts - it's the social behaviors.

The teacher is asking me for ideas on how to manger her and I just don't know what to say. Any advice would be appreciated.

[MamaV_23]

      I am wanting to make welcome mats with my daisies ( 5-6yo) I have carpet samples from the carpet shop ( berber, plush, etc) I was wondering what sort of paint I shoud use. Would acrylic paint work? Thank you in advance for your help.

[sylvyrfoxe]

Some year ago I was a teacher and I taught a child just like your daughter. I used neg- pos discipline.  That is to ignore bad behaviour and praise good behaviour.  the only exception is when the child hurts someone than you grab the child and hold her down and talk to her softly.  When the child calms down praise her for calming down.  this is called the fresh potatoe chip/ soggy potatoe chip rule.  The child prefers the fresh one , but if she doesn't get it that she will take the soggy one.   fresh is praise and soggy is negative attention.  I got this from a book called discipline from crib to college by DR. DODSON.  He is a christian psychologist.   his book is sold in a bible book store.

  Quoting Mama3A:

This isn't really a craft question - but I thought I'd ask it anyways. My daughter is 4 and in her first year of preschool. She is having a hard time. She isn't really bad but every class there is something. One week she wouldn't stop talking in circle time, another she wouldn't help clean up so she didn't get a stamp,  today she was special helper - wich she has been wanting to do and had that privelage taken away because she was holding open a gate to the stairs as asked and closed it, on purpose, on someone. (hard enough it was an issue)

She doesn't participate fully - if she feels like doing what they are doing she's active and the teacher says she has things to contribute BUT if she's not interested she just wants to sit in the corner and read a book.

The time I have been parent helper I watch her play around the other kids but not really with them. I don't see her engageing in conversations or planning a play like "let's put the doll in bed , then you be the Mommy" etc.

At home I see her engage in play with her sister (6) but her sister mostly leads the play.

Should I be concerned or is this just a maturity thing? I feel like she's "behind" the other kids although she learns the songs, alphabet, shapes etc. She seems to grasp the learning concepts - it's the social behaviors.

The teacher is asking me for ideas on how to manger her and I just don't know what to say. Any advice would be appreciated.