Preschool days....

We've been having a lot of fun learning around here these days.  Perhaps one of the best parts of being a stay at home mom (and parent in general) is getting to watch your child learn.  It really is amazing the zest for learning and practicing new things that a 3 year old has!!

It's funny, because every time I think of preschool I remember that movie Motherhood with Uma Thurman (not a good movie FYI).  She had taken her older baby to the park and there were a few other "snooty" mothers there that began to talk with her.  They scolded her that her baby was not already registered for preschool or on a waiting list for whatever prestigious institution they had chosen...even before their child was born! Seems hard to fathom, but I know that they must to some extent!

When the hubby and I were discussing preschool it came up that neither of us went to preschool and both of us did well academically in school and went on to college, etc.  But as public school employees (past and present) we do recognize the need for socialization, learning to follow directions and function in a classroom setting, and listening to an authority figure/teacher, etc.
We were happy with the opportunities our little guy had for this between Sunday school, Awana, play groups, etc. Plus two 2 1/2 hour days per week at the preschool we considered was $150/month...a pretty penny!!  We thought I'd just continue to work with him at home this year and maybe put him in the Spanish immersion preschool next year if we save up a little money. 

So the story goes that a good friend of mine asked me if I was interested in doing a little homeschool preschool co-op.  I didn't know much about them but with a tiny bit of research and a few standards later I was ON BOARD! 

I immediately rounded up some teacher stuff and math manipulatives we had in our storage room and dedicated a little shelf to materials.  We looked up preschool learning outcomes and standards, mapped out a tentative plan and some goals for the year... and we were ready!! We have a downstairs room that doesn't get a ton of use and was the perfect spot to set up a mini classroom.

 

I really do get excited about teaching math.  Yes, math geek here! Here is Mateo and his little friend sorting shapes.

Fine motor skill practice with dry beans. 

 

Building shapes with straws and play dough to count the sides!

 

Some letter practice.

While some things about the co-op have changed and will probably continue to change, right now there are two 3 year olds, two mamas, and two babies.  It works out really well to have the mom teaching go downstairs with the preschoolers (not toddlers anymore!!!) while the other mom stays upstairs and hangs out with the babies (who are becoming toddlers!!!).  We take turns teaching. Any mom who has two little kids knows how hard doing "big kid" stuff can be with a mischievous baby around.  So...I really enjoy Mateo having some "big kid" time and being able to work with him w/o Alex around.

We meet just once a week for school time and lessons and Mateo is always excited to have his friends over. It's fun to watch them work together on projects, be a team, learn to do cooperative activities, sit at a tiny table, share, etc. etc.  It's a special season, as never again will he have a class of two! 

During the rest of the week I try to have some informal goals in mind from the monthly plan that helps all the mini lessons or informal learning and play time be a little more focused. We checked out lots of counting and shape books at the library i.e. to practice and Mateo wants to count everything, everywhere, all the time.  I love hearing him count in both Spanish and English.  He finds shapes in books, outside, and in his food lol.  Now, since Alex keeps getting taller and can reach more stuff, one of Mateo's favorite places to work on "big kid stuff" is at our kitchen bar. 

 

I do focus on him including baby brother and sharing, but I totally get the frustration of having your puzzle or tower repeatedly destroyed lol. Balance. Sometimes he works on puzzles, does a sorting activity, plays with flash cards, or builds something.  It's high enough that Alex can't reach the counter but low enough that Mateo can climb up there himself and work on "project" whenever he wants.

 

 Mateo having way too much fun telling me about hexagons and how two trapezoids 

make a hexagon too!

 

Another favorite place to "play" is at the old kitchen breakfast table.  It's always covered with newsprint paper to draw on.   I like to have play dough with cookie cutters, crayons, colored pencils, construction paper, and coloring sheets handy.  A new favorite is markers.  Mateo also has a new love for pasting and cutting. He pasted a LOT of shape cut outs last week.  Sometimes he will work on something after he finishes eating, or randomly climb up there during the day wanting to play.  From time to time there will be one of those teachable moments and mini lessons where he doesn't realize I'm trying to teach him something.  Those are the best.  The just regular interactions with your kid and watching their creative minds grow and soak up so much information! And we keep it simple. 

 

And of course what 3 year old doesn't like to look at their work?  I'm sure there is something much more glamorous on pinterest, but I just tied some yarn up and used clothes pins to hang up a few things Mateo wanted to display.  I love seeing how proud he is to show his daddy all the things he's been working on.

So, we are having a lot of fun learning these days.  I'm super thankful for a happy kid who has come so far.  From 4 lbs 4 ounces of preemie baby to 29 pounds of very curious 3 year old.  Blessed beyond description and trying to savor these last couple of years having him home.  All too soon he'll be in school and, despite any of the tough things we've encountered on the journey, I'll miss our time together so much.