We are very excited to announce that we are launching a new magazine for homeschooling families in May!! The Joy of Homeschooling will feature engaging, family-based articles and exciting hands-on projects. As a family, we have a very multi-media approach to homeschooling and we will be working that directly into the magazine with links to instructional videos, printables, pinterest boards, and downloadable audio files. We look forward to sharing our homeschooling journey with you!

If you would like to be notified of launch, you can sign up for our newsletter at http://www.thejoyofhomeschooling.com/sign-up/
While you're there, be sure to follow our social media links to "like" us on Facebook (we have some awesome giveaways going on) and follow us on Pinterest and Youtube.

Happy Homeschooling!

Sarah

I have a very strong musical background and I have to say that I am VERY impressed with LM!! We are currently in the midst of the free trial and all of my girls (ages 5,3, 2, and 16m) are really enjoying it. I have been really surprised to see that even the baby, at 16 months old, is clapping to the beat and singing the right notes!

I am so inspired by LM that I fully intend to not only purchase the full version, but to become an affiliate!

Thanks, BrillKids, for such a fantastic product! 

One of the benefits of having a wide range of interests is sharing them with your children. I make fused glass jewelry (https://www.facebook.com/SarahReidGlassDesigns) and because my oldest three girls (ages 4, 3, 2) see the results they are VERY interested in the process. They're, unfortunately, not allowed in the room to watch me work because of the danger of the glass cutting and the equipment involved in the jewelry making process.

Today, I was supposed to go pick up some new glass and the girls were very excited to help me. When I called ahead to make sure they had what we needed, they didn't and the girls were VERY disappointed.

We made the most of the hiccup in our day by staying home and doing an art lesson. I let each girl make their *OWN FUSED GLASS PENDANT*! They were so excited - we had a really cool art time, got to talk about the science behind glass fusing, worked on their fine motor skills, and are now having an exercise in patience (a full fuse takes 16 hours)!

I'm so excited to be able to share my passions with my girls!!

The "BRILLIANT" code is invalid.

Hi everyone!

I just came across a new site that's about to launch and it looks AWESOME! It looks like the Groupon of educational products - so cool! Anything that can save a buck educating our kids is worth a look! Since I'm already signed up if you can follow my link and get $10 free in your account. Enjoy!

http://educents.com?source=rimxjpcsv

Our girls use it and really like it!

I made that myself with MS Publisher. I can't access the files now bc I no longer have the programme.

I do have PDF files for piano though - if you want - but these are the very few I have only:
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B2pdfVqbrHwzajRLai1KY2tVYzg/edit?usp=sharing

Thanks! It made me "request access" so if you get a request from "Teach, Cook, Love" that would be me!

Sarah

I actually think there is a secret. All of our children had a full (100+ words) vocabulary at a year old and could have a very clear conversation with some fairly advanced thinking by two years old. I would say the following would be the main tips to follow:

- Talk to them constantly.
- Teach them things. It doesn't have to be formal, but from birth, I've gone around the house with our girls on a colour hunt, named body parts while we were sitting together, etc.
- Read lots. You can read to your babies almost from day one. You get to spend time with them and you're expanding their vocabulary.
- Perhaps most importantly, don't talk to them like they are stupid. Use real words and thorough explanations. Encourage asking questions about the world and looking up answers when you have none.

I suppose there is no formula, but I really feel like these things have worked for us!

My son just turned 2 last week and got a tiny (1/16) violin as birthday present. Ever since he started little reader a couple of months ago he has been obsessed with violin. Everything is violin eg his chopsticks, his socks and anything he will combine with a stick and play the "violin".

I took him to orchestras and he was very excited with the string instruments.

Now he's got his violin he asked for it all the time and wants to play.

My question is, should I start violin lessons with him now? He hasn't been very good with following instructions and I don't want to put him off learning if I start with this young Age...

Yes; our girls start at about 22 months and love it! You can start with proper playing position and rhythms on the open strings. Progress to first finger patterns and so on. Good luck!

Sarah

Karmie,

Where did you get the large-print music? I've been meaning to make some for my girls but haven't found the time!

That's great!! I'm sure you've given her a lifelong love of learning!

Sorry! I meant "be sure to let me know how it works". Late nights...

Be sure to know how it works out for those of you who ordered. They did a fantastic job getting out stuff here to Canada!

I see that this has been read lots of times - awesome! I hope you're all finding lots of great books! Our first order arrived today - so excited!

Hi there!

Mine is at www.teachcooklove.blogspot.com . I've been on a break while we adjust to having three under three and look for a new house but I will be posting again very soon!

HUGS!