My DD is three years old and will start learning Arabic through direct instruction and total immersion but I also want her to teach her French, as a third language, for starters (English being first). I'd like her to learn more at some point but I don't know how to get started with her with the French. A friend suggested Hooked on (Phonics) French.  Any suggestions and ideas as far as scheduling, time limits? Please remember, I am not a native French speaker so I wouldnt be able to offer dialog. Perhaps I should look into a private tutor but how many times a week?  What should I have them do/learn together?  What products can you recommend for variety (books, programs, dvds)?

Should I wait until she is well on her way into picking up the Arabic before starting the French or can I start right away?  How much can they overlap? Any suggestions for scheduling? Arabic on these days/week, French on these days, English on these days, etc?

Help please!

Can anyone tell me sites I can order YCCR DVDs, preferrably less than $100. Thanks!

I just started using ReadingEggs with my 2.5yo but was wondering, how far does it go into reading? I see they do sight words too which is great but she needs to work on putting the letter sounds together phonetically now. Is there a table of contents or section that I can find this out? Can anyone give me more information? I was wondering if I could navigate through better if i purchased it.

How old was he when doing the Disney Phonics?

Anyone use any  computer programs teaching phonics or other skills, like Reader Rabbit, JumpStart?

Check out Munchkin Math dvds.

Anyone use HOP to teach their younger than 4 year old to read. I say this because the Pre-K HOP says it's for 3-4 year olds but from looking at the Pre-K videos on youtube, they just go through the letter sounds and she's known them for a while now. The KG videos seem to be more what she needs but the book seems like it might be over her head. Not sure it's worth getting the whole set if the videos are short. I'm thinking the online content as well might be on point but not sure what that's about.

Anyone have any experience or read any reviews somewhere?

Or, does anyone know any LR files or other programs, youtube videos, DVDs that introduce putting the sounds together sloooooowly. We have Leap Frog Talking Words Factory but I think it might not be slow enough. Then again, she might start sounding out words next week, . They surprise you sometimes. HELP! I feel like she's ready and I'm just wasting time.

My 2 yo has done YBCR and some of LR.  She's almost 2.5 now so is the window closing for LR?  I have been on hiatus, esp after having some problems with LR closing all the time and keeping her attention and did the Leap Frog and now some basic phonics dvd.  She knows all her letter sounds for months now and really seems to be ready for the next step (we're sick of hearing the letter sounds around the house, ). She really likes the sounds so I thought it would be good to start somewhat formal phonics with her.

We do magnetic letters and will continue with LR when she can sit long enough, Leap Frog vids but she seems to need a lot of stimulation and activity right now.  So any other suggestions for videos, CD's, youtube vids online that would help? I just see a window open right now to teaching her synthetic phonics since she loves the sounds and feel like I'm wasting her potential by not going the next step.

I had HOP but the one I have is letter names and sounds and she already knows those. Anyone know about HOP KG or 1st grade? I like some of their videos on youtube that show the different rhyming words like this:  <a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/GayEiWqQNFo&rel=1" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/v/GayEiWqQNFo&rel=1</a> I also am looking for a systematic methodology on teaching phonics where I can possibly make my own materials or use some of the powerpoint flashes on here.

Thanks.

Also, make sure to be an advocate for your child.  Have a presence in your child's school but make it a positive one. If your child or their classroom needs things, if you can, volunteer to buy them and make sure those things will benefit your daughter. For example, one of my parents (of a more gifted child) bought our class a printer which the advanced students were able to use more to print out their published writing.  So, when most students only were able to publish a few pieces during their alotted time or in the computer lab, the ones who finished early could always work on their writing on the computer in the class, for example. Also, in general, teachers tend to look out more and make special arrangements or passes for students whose parents they have a relationship with. It's just human nature to have more of a vested interest in children whose parents you KNOW care or seem to care more than parents that you say, never see. 

Hope that makes sense.

Sorry, wasn't finished . . . toddler in my lap learning with me, .

Because each student had a writing portfolio too, they could work on that as well. All students had a required amount of writing material they had to do but they could always do extra and there were ideas in the center. As a parent, you could look for activities, learning games, computer games (if they have one in the classroom or let your child use one elsewhere) that children can use once they are done.  Books, magazines, etc for reading are easy to have for your child as well.  YOu could also may packets of activities each month/week as needed that your child can complete once they are done in school (did this once for one of my nephews).

I don't remember elementary school so much but I did leave the classroom for gifted/talented classes though I don't remember how often. When I did my student teaching in college, I remember, some classes were grouped my ability.  So, you may have to do some research on the school your child would attend to see if she has any options but I wouldn't stop teaching her.  I have this same concern now teaching my daughter especially with the schools where I live. If anything, she can go to to the library or read, read, read on her own. Reading independently does wonders for the achievements of children.

I am writing now as a parent and a teacher. It really depends on the classroom, the teacher and the school. In private school, I taught multi-age classes which works out really well for gifted students if they are in the lower grade because then they can also learn with the older students. In this school, because of the way the grades were arranged, I always had to plan well for activities for students who were more advanced. I always had activities students were supposed to do if they finished early. In lesson planning, though, I was taught (in school) to plan goals that everyone would reach and then some that only a few (more advanced) might reach. So, for example, once all the students finished the mandatory 5 questions, there might be a 6 and 7th question or activity the more advanced students could do and would usually enjoy because it was more creative.  I hope that makes sense.

Now, as a parent, what can you do? I would try to communicate with the teachers as much as possible about having activities in the classroom for gifte or more talented children.  It can be anything from worksheets and workbooks (least desirable) to writing and computer activities.We always had lots of CDs for the computer (Magic schoolbus, encyclopedias or anything related to the theme we were working on at the time), a writing centre, a reading centre/library, etc so no one ever had reason to be bored.

My two year just discovered the letters and numbers are on the keyboard so we're trying to let her practice "typing" and using the mouse. I'm looking for her to be able to do more with the non-basic shapes (trapezoid, octagon, etc), colors and letter sounds, and numbers past 10.  We already use Starfall, Literacy Center Education Network and Fisher Price. Thanks!

I just got the 6-month course because that's all I had enough for on my paypal and didn't want to wait to start with my LO.  If I want to upgrade to 12-month or, probably, lifetime, would I just pay the difference at the end of the 6-months before deactivation? And, is there any benefit if I got the 12-month or lifetime subscription in the next month vs at the end of the 6-month curriculum? 

Also, will I be able to keep files I've downloaded from the forums?  The free and "paid" content using my points once my 6-month subscription ends?

Also, if I want to use the Semester 1 curriculum with my new baby (in a few months), and I purge, will I lose the days I've already covered with my older child??

Thanks!

I took a break teaching towards the end of my pregnancy with my DD (she turned two around the same time I had the baby). I would just do a few "formal" things with her but mostly just be around her when she played. I ended up taking her out a lot more on field trips where I could sit and she could play or I let the trip be the entertainment/teacher rather than me.

Reading laying down together and in the rocking chair became a favorite. The closer I got to my due date, we'd lay down together and take a nap. I can't remember how many weeks along I was but at a certain point, I couldn't stay up anymore without a midday nap without getting terrible headaches. So, that was nice bonding time for us.

Mostly, I would put out activities she could explore on her own like a bucket of shells, colored pattern blocks.  I'd also have her cousins over more often so I could just loaf while she was busy playing.  Playdates!

Also, using flash cards on the computer and programs like Little Reader don't require you doing much. Just sitting and being engaging.  I'm not a big fan of leaving my DD to do the computer alone but I've found since #2 came along, sometimes I need something playing while I tend to the baby. I found making playlists on youtube helpful. I'd make them on different topics or just an alphabet, color, shape, etc a week. The clips were short but would play continously. Good for if you just need a short break.  There are lots of resources on there. I find those especially useful now with the baby if I need to run and tend to him quickly

Also, I haven't used this with my LO now but there is a program called Monkey See Monkey Do that is supposed to get kids up and active, following the kids on the program.

Thanks for the input and suggestions.  I don't doubt my purchase at all!  Only not getting the lifetime! I just wish I had time to learn the system overnight!  Especially since having my second child. This will save me lots of time from trying to do so much work making my own.

I will take the advice and just go through the curriculum  as she may have forgetten and if not, she always enjoys flash cards.  We will be doing another language with her alongside this and I may make a few of my own for whatever theme we're working on for the week so that is easier.  I'm sure she will enjoy the words and, really, it's easier on me to just press "play", . 

Thanks.