hi there

i would like to know for sure and to make a decision and purchase of a homeschooling curriculum by the time Sa'ad is 3.

i am already "homeschooling" as i have a schedule going on.

thanks for all the info on curriculums. i found it extremely helpful.

a few people have recommended the clonard homeschooling curriculum. has anyone used the syllabus or have you any idea on whether is a good one.

i dont want my child to just skip grades coz he can read. i want something challenging and something that takes into consideration the fact that we have begun teaching since our kids at a young age.

any idea if the institutes has a curriculum out?

i also just want to follow one curriculum and use other materials to supplement. i find when i am faced with too many options i use bits from here and there and i dont feel in control of the teaching process.

i speak from experience.
i taught grades 2's and 3's for a year before i fell pregnant. both classes together.
the school was a starter school and hence had no curriculum. i was given like 3 boxes full of free resources and i had to formulate a curriculum with all of that.

it drove me crazy! i didnt know it was going to be that way before i took the job. it was an interesting challenge though. i dont want to go through it again. ive bought lots of books for lo on different topics and i tell my self i  can use it as a resource. the book shelfs getting a bit full.

i dont want a repeat of that dramatic saga again so i want to find a good curriculum now and be organised.

thanx for sharing.

in order of purchase.

doman books which taught me how to make my flashcards. my most prized possessions

flash cards in eng and arabic

practica - its a wooden trunk full of games and activities. its not as advanced with reading and maths but it has wonderful ideas to stimulate kids in a physical and practical way.

LM
LR

i have a how to learn french dvd.

the rest of my stuff is homemade

hi there

i still use 2 sets of cards. it make me feel like i am showing my son that books and paper are just as important as a computer or tv.

i am currently in the process of making books as general knowledge resources.
i want to use a picture of say "the heart" and make an entire book out of it using domans 10 magnitudes of intelligence. those will replace the cards in the next 2 months once i have them ready.

hi there

i live in SA and with regards to TV shows we can lagg behind abit.
maybe thats a good thing coz every wednesday afternoon they show care bears!

Sa'ad loves it.

there are some good shows on now though like little einsteins and mickey mouse clubhouse. they teach life skills and team work and stuff.

I googled the patrick holford range vitamins and they look great, but they do not seem to readily available in the US.

you can try reading one of his books first. he has a whole range of them. he also has a recipe book for kids and a book about nutrition for the child.

he is a from the UK but he comes to SA once in a while. he does seminars here and comes on our local talk show. his products are huge here. the book that i have of his is "the optimum nutrition bible"

btw do any of you take goji berries?

i bought some the day before yesterday and i feel so energised today. its suppose to be a super berry.i feel wonderful. not sure if its because of the berries.

hi there

i think that having optimum levels of nutrients is vital because we are growing our kids brain and so we must feed it.

i use the patrick holford range.
it comes in a chewable form which is great. everyday Sa'ad reminds me to give him his vitamin. i give him the omegas as well.

ive just started this week to introduce lots of healthy foods.

thanx trinity papa and joanna07

i guess that is the basic rule. stop before your child wants to.

trinity papa do you do the teaching?!!

have you guys tried problem solving or are you just trusting that they are learning?

i am just placing my trust in Sa'ad and i am hoping that he is soaking up this info. i am very nervous about the maths program and i'd like Sa'ad to succeed in it as i wasnt a great mathematician in school.

right now i am beginning to understand maths and what it means and i just want to do equations. its the weirdest thing!!

im just hoping for the best. atleast we having fun.

hi there.

i have implemented my maths program about 3 weeks ago. i usually tend to not stick to the program and i add my own ideas but for the maths one i want to follow a tried and tested technique.

i am following the doman maths schedule. i have differed from the program only by using mickey mouse as my number quantity icon.

when i used powerpoint for my equations which i made specifically for each day so that they would always be different my son seemed to kinda enjoy it. i always have to call him and then carry him to the laptop or bring the laptop to him. he sits through the equation session but that was enough.

i also didnt see his eyes light up.

now with little maths he loves the equations and sits through all three equations in one session.

i want to stick to the 3 equations per session but i cant help but wonder if it would be okay to show him more. like 8 or 9 purely because he wants more.

i am just worried that by adding more i may take the joy of LM away which i dont want to do. i believe that some people havent had a success with teaching maths

Sa'ad is 2 already so i feel like i am a little late with his maths.

should i show him more or should i stick to three.

i would also appreciate it if you could share your maths methodology with me and your successes and challenges as well

thank you

hi there

welcome to the forums.
just curious about the new zealand schooling system.
is it progressive in a sense where kids are writing and reading in schools by around 4 years of age?

its what ive heard from a friend.

is the schooling system okay with grade skipping and do they look out and nurture giftedness?

hi there.

i am not sure if this could be the possible reason why kids are not receptive to flash cards. i have 3 theories.

1. your child knows the word and is bored.

your child could really know the word and be actually bored. if you flood the child with flash cards they could see it as a chore and not really a fun learning experience or they could take it for granted or are bored with seeing it all the time.

2. the speed is also a factor. can you be as fast as a computer? or dvd

3. i think our kids are exposed to speed and technology. now if your computer can make sound effects, how do we compete with that.

i have LR and powerpoint presentations but i still use flash cards. i like Sa'ad to hear my voice and i enjoy flashing the cards. it helps me stick with my schedule.

things i do to keep Sa'ad interested.

1. when he is walking around aimlessly i get the cards and jump right in front of him and say loudly STOP!!!. his eyes light up and he laughs and i have his attention.

2. i then read the cards as quick as i can in different silly voices. one of a father bear from (goldilocks and the 3 bears) and a laughing one and a clear one and a baby bear one etc. even a french accent.

3. and i then put them away. i do 3 sets 3 times a day and not more.

4. i have a set in my handbag so when im shopping or in the car i use them. the environment is different so it works.

5. i hide away and scream "come find me" and when he comes then i flash him the words quickly as well.

its interesting that you have brought this up

heres my experience

my son was 23 months when i went to visit my sister. he was playing around outside and her neighbour happened to come out at that time.

he told me that Sa'ad has a lazy eye. he has a daughter and when she was small she had a lazy eye. in Sa'ad it is so subtle that i didnt even recognise this. he appears perfectly fine. this man could recognise it because he had experience with the condition.

i am waiting for my pead appointment to get my doctors diagnoses.
its so subtle. i look out for it but i cant see it. once very fleetingly i noticed it but im not sure if its what i saw.

it could be coincidence.
i think it is a coincidence.
i personally dont think the reading could have caused it but it could be

with regards to visions for our children.

i think that it is our responsibility to sift out and find the vision that would be suitable for our child.

say if your child loves playing soccer. then what the parent can do is tap on that and nurture that by giving your child opportunities in that direction.

we have to find our childs passion and do something about it. if your child shows interest in say an instrument then we can try and do whatever we can to make that happen.

i guess this comes with patience and observation. act when you recognise the passion. otherwise sit tight for a while and wait for LO to give you a hint of her vision.

it wouldnt be wise to choose a vision beforehand as you dont know your childs personality yet. each child is unique and they blossom before us. we have to watch     
 and then act

hi there.

thanks for the info.
think im going to print this and stick it up on the wall by my bed because i read so many helpful articles and i forget about them later.
self esteem is soooo important. its one of the keys to a happy life.

thank you and karma to u!

heres some info i came across on encouraging kids to make friends

1. socialise through the senses.

provide skin to skin hugs. sing your baby a love song. use his name alot and keep comfortable eye contact. as he soaks up this delightful interaction through his senses, he'll feel valued and loved. this provides motivation to socialise with others as he grows.

2. Apply the rainbow concept.

teach your child to observe differences and point out other children's strengths. for example "you are good at threading. your friend is good at playing ball. wouldnt it be great if you helped him learn how to thread well and he showed you how to catch a ball?"

3. play big ears.

take turns to talk and to listen with your child. let him tell you the best thing that happened to him that day, and the worst. then do the same. you can encourage him to play this with his friends as well.

4. Affirm your child.

if your child is happy to play alone as this suits his temperament, respect this. if your child is too shy to join in, support and encourage him.
lay off the pressure. understand that rejection can cripple him. teach him to smile. it makes him approachable. provide a play date with one or 2 children at home to ensure the setting is less intimidating.

5. encourage empathy.

put on hats scarves or sunglasses and practice introducing yourselves to each other with a smile. "hello, i like your red hat. my name is peter pumkin, whats yours?" teach him to offer help to shy and upset children. children who relate well to others are more easier to play with.

Why do people always take the "HOME" in homeschool so literally. As if homeschoolers are locked up in the house. While the public school students are in school, we are exploring and learning about science with other children and taking field trips to the capitol. People will ask the "social question" while watching their children socialize with your children at the playground.

The public schools tells their students, "Socialize on your own time! No talking! You are here to learn; not socialize." 

i totally agree with this!!!!