Getting started

AHHHHHH!!!! My baby needs more than snuggles and toys! He is 4 and ready to start preschool, but not old enough to be in a "real" preschool in our area. As I am new to being a SAHM (I worked until his baby brother was well on his way) I haven't had much practice with keeping older kids entertained. Babies are easy, so here goes...

Step 1: Develop a plan

I know when I was little I LOVED crafts. We happened to have been given a book "365 things to make" but its not hard to come up with your own projects or to find ideas online. But arts and crafts isn't enough for this age! He'll be starting preschool and needs to be able to do more than just count. So we need a mix of craft, learning, and other fun activities. As it is spring here I am adding in spring activites, like nature walks, as well as things like reading time in the morning.

Step 2: Get supplies

This doesnt have to be exspensive or time consuming. I got most of mine at the local Dollar Store, but you can get lots at Walmart too. I am starting out with crayons, markers(more for me than him), construction paper, a $1 sketch book, glue, saftey scissors, a folder for worksheets, a binder for crafts, penmanship paper, and stickers. You should be able to get all of this for under $15. I also went to Staples and got 2 workbooks for $5.99 each (Letters and preschool skills) but you can get ideas and printable worksheets online if your little one is old enough for this.

Step 3: Get organized

Make yourself (or print out) a few week long calendars. Fill these in at least 1 week in advance with what activites you will be doing. My calendars run Mon-Sat and I simply write what we will do; story time, workbook page, nature walk, craft, craft Journal and other activities such as practicing writing names, numbers, and letters

Step 4: Take Action

Once you have it all set up get started! (I just spent a few hours making simple copy worksheets with his name, numbers, and letters on them, and making the schedule for the current week and the next week. For the first week I started with what I was comfortable with and also just dipped our toes in the water) If you are ready mid day mid week thats ok just jump right in and get started they will have fun regardless and its easier to start now than to wait, just rememeber to be ready with supplies...

Step 5: Just keep swimming

This is my life motto and it applies here too. Tehre may be days and activites that just don't work. THAT"S OK! Just keep swimming. Don't give upo, just tweek it til it works for you. Did your nature walk bomb out because your mini me was too tired? try going a different time of day, or make them shorter, you may even want to just start out exploring the back yard first. If you all have an off day and just don't follow the schedule at all thats OK too, just get back on track tomorrow. But most of all, have fun, and remember it takes time to establish a good schedule!