I have been using this with my 3 year old

http://www.criticalthinking.com/getProductDetails.do?id=06913&code=c

http://www.greeknstuff.com/

I would love to teach DS Latin as well as learn it myself.  Has anyone used any materials from this company?  They also have Greek materials.  Thanks.

Did anyone have a child who read early and attended public school?  I would like to hear your experiences.  My just turned three-year-old is reading, and we had been planning to send him to our zoned school for kindergarten.  We have two complete school years before he starts, so I am not sure where he will be when he is actually eligible to enroll.  Thank you.

You sound a lot like me a year ago.  Although my son doesnt have a November birthday (he is 2/16), he missed the birthday cut off for a program that i was considering by 2 weeks.  He woud have been in the 2s class instead of the 2 1/2 to 3s.  I opted to keep him home with me another year.  I didnt feel comfortable placing him in an environment where he knew everything that was being introduced.

This fall, i am placing him in a Reggio-inspired school where all the preschool teachers are Montessori-certified.  He will attend three mornings a week for 3 hours each day.  I think he needs to be with mixed age groups, and at this school, they have several "special" classes like Spanish, music and fitness (which helps me because i have been taking him to Spanish, music and Little Gym at different locations). Plus, since they have some children already reading in this class, i really feel that this school will serve as a complement to all we have been doing at home. 

Would you consider a Montessori program?

My son really enjoyed this series at one point. We do lots of other stuff so it was hard to say how much he got out of it but I know he definitely learned a few things directly from it because he made specific references to episodes.

For instance, we were in Baskin Robbin's once and he said, "Cakes has an 's' so it means there are many cakes - like on word world."

And another time he was singing the "oo" song...

It's true--the songs are catchy.  My son sang the "line and a circle is the letter B, circle and a line is the letter D" when he was very young.

This is my son's absolute favorite show, and the ony one he requests.  He started watching it after he could identify the letters of the alphabet and knew the sounds they make.  I think the show has helped him learn to spell many words in a fun, creative way.

It looks like a standard curriculum for preschool. I just found out that the wonderful Montessori school we were planning to enroll is closing in the summer because the lady's husband is relocating, so we're also looking. To be honest, it seems to me that most preschool list a variation of the same curriculum, and while it looks extensive, depending on your child's level, it may not be enough. Personally, I think the  to look for if you like the teacher (s) because this is what will be a determining factor in school success. Because of this, you have to visit the school and talk to the teacher. For instance, one of the schools we visited in the summer, which was a true Montessori, didn't click with me or my kids right away. They were scared of the teacher, and I just got a wrong vibe, so I knew right away that this is not going to work, regardless of how great their curriculum was. So, don't agonized over what they teach and look for a great teacher, see what the other parents are like in the school because it will determine what kind of kids you child will make friends with. I think this is the key, and this is what we're doing. Just my two cents

I have visited the school twice and DS was reluctant to leave both times.  One time, I had to literally peel his arms of the assistant director's legs and drag him kicking and screaming out the door.  (I was very embarrassed!)  I really enjoyed speaking with all the teachers in the preschool room.  And Ian enjoyed the materials we saw.  We are going to open house in March, and if he still seems to love it, I am 90% sure I will go ahead and put down the deposit.

JamisJS-

One other interesting note...Check to see if you are signing a contract...ours specifically ensures that after a 30-day trial period, we are locked into paying for a year, whether or not A actually attends!  This seems ridiculous, but their logic is that if she leaves, her place remains open for the rest of the year as they do not start new kids mid year! Anyway, just make sure you know what you are getting into!

Yes we would be locked into a contract. I had never heard of this.  We have the option of paying a small amout for tuition insurance though.

[Language development is enhanced through:]

Thank you all for your responses.  I called the registrar at the school, and they said he would be in the preschool class for the 2012-13 school year, and would then move to the 4.5 to 6 year old class the next year(it's a combined pre-k/k class I think.). Here is their preschool curriculum overview:

Language development is enhanced through:
verbally communicating and listening to others
role playing and dramatic play
listening to music and singing songs
beginning to identify meaningful words - own name, etc.
listening to tape-recorded stories along with the books
making books and dictating stories for adults to write

Math skills are being formed while children play.  These activities involve:
shapes, sizes, patterns, and sequencing
sorting and categorizing
counting and comparison
measuring length and weight
graphing

Science concepts are developed by:
observing seasonal changes related to weather, plant life, animal behavior, and activities of people
sorting and categorizing items according to various properties
hiking the trails to observe plant and animal life and collect bugs and other small creatures for temporary observation
learning basic conservation of and respect for nature
growing plants from seeds and bulbs and observing and caring for them
discovering how magnets work

Social studies concepts are introduced by:
learning about similarities and differences in peers and their families
exploring the community on field trips and learning about occupations
sharing family traditions
experiencing a variety of multi-cultural customs
learning how people who have disabilities experience life
role-playing about families and occupations

Creative Art
Art experiences emphasize the process rather than the product.  Time, space, and the freedom to work independently help children increase their attention span, improve fine motor skills, have a successful emotional experience, and a sense of independence.  Art activities include:
drawing with crayons, pencils, chalk, markers
painting with brushes, feathers, sponges
printing with rubber stamps, potato shapes, utensils
cutting and gluing
sewing with plastic needles and yarn on various materials
creating collages from any combination of fabrics, pictures, 3-dimensional items, etc.

Motor Skills
Play time uses open spaces and equipment to build large and small motor development with:
climbers, trikes, wagons, bean bags
balls to kick and throw, sand to scoop and pour
bubbles, sidewalk chalk, painting at easel
simple games and sport skills
hiking and exploring the campus
movement to music

What do you think? All in all, I don't think he will be "bored.". Plus, they do have Spanish and music for 30 minutes each every week.  I wish it were an hour each week, but he would only be there 9 hours total each week.

I have never posted on this board before, but I have read many discussions in the forums.  I am not really doing any of the programs that are discussed on this site (YBCR, etc.)  I would really appreciate some opinions on this matter.

My son will be 3 on 2/16.  I have taken him to various mommy and me classes since he was about six months (never more than two per "semester").  We have done the Little Gym, music and swimming.  I have also taken him to Spanish class since he was 12 months.  I supplement by reading to him in Spanish, and we watch the Whistlefritz DVDs (which he loves).  This is the only class that has been constant.  We go to the science museum, library, etc. regularly.  (I am a SAHM.)

I have never really "pushed" him academically.  I have simply tried to expose him to things, and have let his interests guide our activities.  Currently, he:

*  Can recognize lowercase and uppercase letters
*  Knows the sounds the letters make
*  Can spell simple words like "cat" and "dog"--some I know he has memorized, but he does have the ability to sound out short words and spell them
*  Recognize and recite numbers to 20
*  Count 12-13 items
*  Finish patterns

This fall, I would like for him to start a part-time preschool program approximately 9-12 hours per week.  The school that I like has a Reggio/Montessori approach, and they offer Spanish, Music and Chinese as part of their regular program.  He would be in a classroom with children ages 2 1/2 to 4 1/2.  I have toured the school, and I think it is a wonderful program and a beautiful facility.  My husband is reluctant because he believes he will be around children who may not be as advanced in some aspects, and therefore, may be complacent or more reluctant to continue learning at his current speed/ability.  DH thinks I should continue with him at home, and continue to take him to separate classes (although now that he is 3, he will be able to go to the class and I can wait at the facility).  I am not sure if I am explaining his view thoroughly, but that is the gist.  I would love to hear  some opinions on this.

Thanks!  We love "Fritzi"!

Try looking into the Hohner Kids line of instruments.  Hohner makes instruments for adults, too.  I find that their children's line is generally superior to what you are able to purchase in regular toy stores.  They pay attention to pitch and quality.