The more I read about all these different methods the more I tend to use an eclectic approach. In the early years, until 6 years, without doubt I will use Doman, Montessori and Shichida methods. Slowly, I would adapt to other methods for different streams like WTM and CM for Language Arts and History; Classical methods for languages; Problem-solving based programs for Math; Inquiry based programs for STEM, etc. Btw, I will not be homeschooling just after-schooling.

Thanks for sharing Marialuisa. We enjoyed watching her reading. I have some of the same questions as nuria.

Thanks for sharing about the offer, lelask.

I could not find the Baby can't count app in appstore. Can someone give me the correct links for both the apps. TIA.

Though my 2.5 year old DS can read quite well, he prefers not to read for me. I rarely insist him to read to me. But in the past few weeks, I have asked him occasionally to read beginning readers like Preschool Prep or Usborne beginning readers. He was reading it for the sake of me though he prefers to play during that time. Today when I asked him to read a book for me, he told that 'Reading is NOT fun'. But when I persisted that he finish what he started, he complained that 'iPad is fun and Reading is not fun' and he wanted the iPad.

I am bit unhappy with his words when he said reading is not fun. I want him to love learning and books. I don't know what I should do now. Do I need to stop asking him to read or do I need to put a structure in our daily chart to make him to read (even if he doesn't want to) which will eventually become a habit?

Aangeles and nadia, Karma to both of you. I appreciate your input. I was not aware that number bonds are the basis for Soroban as well. So I can proceed with the facts memorization/automization part now.

Aangeles, I understand your thoughts very well as I too think in the same line. I was worried if my son will have confusions later in life when introduced to two different mental math concepts ie., Singapore and Soroban. Happy to know that Ella can do in both the ways.

Keri, you always find brilliant books and thanks for sharing it with us. Could you please consolidate all your future book finds and other resources in one single thread so that it is easy for us to look through. Thanks.

I use the ipad app Notability by Ginger labs. It works like a charm for us.

Thank you Manda. I am basically looking for Grade 1 Language arts (spelling, grammar, vocabulary, etc) curriculum in British English. Do those books use British spelling?
I want something which is rigorous in nature. I have seen lots of textbooks/curricula and I don't think it has so much content in it since we have already covered several of those. I am just wondering if those excel resources would meet my expectations. Do you know if there are any sites that provide 'Look inside' feature for those books.

I recently purchased some software for math, and was absolutely SHOCkED at the possibilities for teaching very young children abstract mathematical concepts!   This program will demonstrate virtually anything! I am now using for my 2.5 year old in conduction with various math programs... But AWESOME for a 'peek' at advanced concepts, beginning (and advanced!) algebra...all the way to calculus...truly a 'grow with me' software...can think of several tots in this forum that would LOVE this...
http://www.livemath.com/

Keri, can you please tell me how you are using this livemath software with your toddler. I perused the site and it looks more like an advanced calculator to me.

Thank you all for sharing your ideas. Nadia, I like your imaginative conversations on the fly... I will try this as it seems very much doable. Aangeles, I had forgotten about ShenLi's blog and thanks for reminding it.

Though I have read a ton about right brain training and the associated activities, I have not started doing it for my son. It is because I am overwhelmed with the task of creating so many cards and finding additional resources. How do you guys do it? Aangeles, you mentioned in one of your posts that you do 1-1.5 hrs of right brain activities. Do you create all the materials in advance? Do you keep changing them frequently to keep the activities fresh?

Btw, have you guys done the Wink overview course?

I have heard from a local forum that Excel education resources in Australia are the best for preparing a child in English and Maths. Here is the site: http://www.pascalpress.com.au/Excel-Handbooks-Pocket-Books-and-Dictionaries-s/106.htm

Has anyone in Australia or elsewhere heard about their products? Is it that good?

.. I was advised by a teacher in her soroban school to let her memorize only the times tables of single digits because she will be taught x11, x12, and up using soroban and anzan. One of the common obstacles to anzan visualization that they see in their students who have memorized addition, subtraction, and higher multiplication facts is relying on their math facts memory and having a very difficult time visualizing...
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aangeles,
My son is currently solving addition and subtraction problems from 0-10 and we are following Singapore 1A as our spine. He can do it with the help of manipulatives and sometimes can visualize. In Singapore 1A, they suggest that at this point the child should memorize the math facts before moving onto further chapters. But I'm in a dilemma whether to make him to memorize the math facts as in future I might introduce Soroban to him. So can you please give me your opinion on this. Is Ella able to solve problems using both Soroban method and Singapore method? If she can solve problems using Singapore method, has she not memorized the math facts?
Thanks.

aangeles, thank you for sharing the info about DrawWrite now. Ella's drawing and handwriting is completely amazing for her age.