The 2014/15 school year is here, although my son is still only in preschool, it’s a little bittersweet as we get closer to Kindergarten. Lately I have been questioning everything that my son does, and when I say everything I mean…EVERYTHING. As I watch him as he learns and grows, I’m noticing his strengths and weaknesses and wondering where he will fit in, not only academically but socially. How can I encourage him without getting discouraged? It’s been a battle and I have had to set aside my own personal emotions and nerves to help him. So here are my mommy adventures in preschool-part two.

A friend of mine suggested to me that I am a little over barring and too hands on. At first I was irritated b this comment and then I started to look at myself and I found that maybe some of that had some truth to it. Isaac has been with me since day one. We have grown together in many ways. Now he is embarking a new journey and I’m nervous; not only for him but for me too. SO many questions come to mind as I enter this time in my life.

Can I do it?

Is he ready?

Will he make friends?

How will he handle being away from me all day?

Then I realized; these feelings were coming from me. I’m the emotional wreck, not him. He loves to go to school; he has made friends, and asks about it all the time. It’s put him on a routine and encouraged me in many ways as well.

So I researched some ways to encourage and prepare him for this year. I needed to get him up to speed with his writing, patterns, and comprehension. Sounds like a lot for a preschooler, right? Well I’m not just preparing him for preschool I want him to understand some of the kindergarten concepts as well.

On his last day of preschool last year, his teacher communicated some of her concerns and areas of improvement for Isaac. To be honest, initially I was a little discouraged; I did my homework to the best of my ability and took the advice from his teacher and others around me. It hasn’t been an easy journey, but my goal is to teach and motivate him in these crucial developmental years. Although I have had my shortcomings, some of the things I’m currently working on are helping him. And He’s making tremendous improvements. Now we are headed toward the right path, and he’s getting ready for preschool yet again in September

So if any of you mommies out there are anything like me, you may find some of these tips very useful in your own journey. With two other kids and home to run, I have come up with six tips that have helped me over the last two months.

 

1. Make it fun. I battle with this because sometimes I run out of ideas to keep him focused. So I found some new tools to help keep his interest. I bought a white board and markers to teach him the alphabet. I also would let him practice on it as well. He seems to like using markers better than crayons. After this I would have him erase the board, (which he really enjoyed).
2. Be hands on. Teaching him something from preschool or kindergarten workbooks has been difficult. He doesn’t seem interested. So I use things he likes (instruments, foods, basically anything he can touch or feel). He’s still learning but has recognized that apples are red and bananas are yellow, which means they are different.
3. Distinguish what school and learning is. Isaac has had some confusion understanding the difference between play time and class time. I have had to teach him to distinguish the difference in the two. When it’s time to clean up, it means we’re transitioning to “class” or “learning” time. I try and explain to him, now its workbook time, or now its bedtime and so forth.
4. 

   my homemade treasure box. I used a shoebox and filled with goodies for the kids after a job well done.

   Reward system. Kids need encouragement and motivation to do things. Especially at this age of 4 and 5 (so I am learning). I got a great idea from the church we attend and it’s called “the treasure box”. I used a shoebox and placed little goodies inside like candy and stickers. IF they complete their chores at the end of the day they go to the treasure box, same thing for Isaac’s work. Now he understands that if he does this he will get a treat.

5. Setting time with no distractions. I like to do story time after lunch. This is a quiet time when I have them sit on the floor and listen to a book. I allow my daughter Jocelyn to choose one book and Isaac another. Because I am only requiring them to sit for a short period of time, we don’t always get to both books and we take turns. Currently Isaac will sit for a complete 5 minutes with no interruptions. I am no working on getting him to sit 10 minutes. His teacher is asking that I have him sit for 15 and right now that seems to be pushing it. But story time definitely helps.
6. Substitute paint for crayons. Isaac has not shown much interest in coloring. He rushes through it and doesn’t always stay in the lines. So I went to Target and I bought the large coloring sheets and had him color them. Since he gives up easier with crayons his teacher suggested paint. He loves this! I bought him the paint brushes and this will keep him interested for a while. with the help of his sister. I bought a new workbook for him from Costco which has a dry erase printing workbook, and color by number book. This is a great tool for teaching him to follow directions and get used to crayons, the crayons are smaller and he has to work a little harder to color. It’s a great tool for enhancing the muscles in his fingers to write.

                                         

Although I’m still working with him, he’s making a lot of progress. He had some regressions once the baby was born, and it’s been pretty difficult, but now he is starting to understand and communicate things to me.

So if you’re nervous about leaving your baby, just remember that you are not alone. It’s a normal feeling, I thought that I would be so happy sending him off to school and I really am happy because I know that he’s going to love it. I’m also sad. But it’s my job to be excited for his future accomplishments. And to show him I’m on his side and willing to do whatever it takes to teach and guide him.

 

Thanks for stopping in, don’t forget to share my blog with other mommies so that together we can strive for mommy success! J

 

XOXO,

Reina