We’ve been off of homeschool for so long, it really is time that we get back into it with a renewed vigor. Unfortunately, I’m pretty sure someone swiped and threw out my homeschool papers I’d had printed out. We won’t name any names or anything, because in all seriousness, it could have been me (on accident). But, luckily I found my documents saved on my computer and should have them all reprinted by the end of this week. And, this time? They’re going in a binder. I’m going to go ahead and start a Lorelei binder and a “Teacher’s” binder (2 separate ones) for each grade/age class she completes. I’m really excited about it! Some things will be nothing more than me journaling in her binder and a photo of her doing some new things, but there will also be artwork and the like.

Anyhow, I have a list of things for each age group (from 3-36 months), and while it’s not really “curriculum,” it does give me a good idea of where we stand and what we both need to work on. I use it more as a guide. But, if L doesn’t know how to do some things that are classified as a younger age, I don’t sweat it either. It’s a guide. Nothing more.

So, our new list (she’s 18 months) looks kind of like this:

Cognitive:

1. Match a cut out piece with its outline. We’ll practice this by cutting things out of construction paper and having her try to fit it. At first, we’ll start with just one choice and move on to 2 or 3, so it’s like a puzzle basically.
2. Practice completing simple 1-3 piece puzzles.
3. Match geometric shapes. I plan to just use some cut outs for this, and maybe even make some flash cards, as well.
4. Distinguish same from different. I will use small clean meat trays to feature things like macaronis and then a raisin and ask her to identify what is different. Eventually, we’ll be able to move up to things like farm animals vs. sea creatures but that’s farther down the road.
5. Trace and match shapes.

Motor:

1. Clip clothespins onto a rim. She KNOWS they clip, but seems more interested in taking them apart. We’ll have to work on this (or buy less cheap clothespins!)
2. Putting objects in and out of a pocket booklet.
3. Taking lids on and off of things. She can do this with some lids already, but not so much twisty lids…
4. Unwrapping objects. We haven’t really practiced with this lately, although last weekend at the grocery she knew how to unwrap the plastic off of the raisins. This will be great for Christmastime
5. Picking objects up with a magnet.

Sensory:

1. Identifying colors. This will be great with our new color magnets we made!
2. Matching pairs of objects by color.
3. Identify 10 basic parts of the body.
4. Identify objects by feel.
5. Take a theme walk.
6. Match objects by pattern/texture.
7. Work with playdough!

Language:

1. Practice the 10 body parts.
2. Retrieve named objects and practice learning new names for objects.
3. Name pictures in a book, perhaps trying to learn a new one every week?
4. Name colors.
5. Begin Basic Counting (1,2,3)

Social

1. Explore a treasure bag (bag filled with random goodies) in a group
2. Imitate facial expressions
3. Watch and imitate body movements
4. Listen to and follow instructions
5. Identify and name others

Practical Life:

1. Unrolling and rolling up work mat
2. Wipe up spills
3. Sorting and matching utensils
4. Using cookie cutters to cut bread into shapes
5. Sweeping up
6. Cut soft food into pieces

To be honest, the language part is what gives me the heebie jeebies. Lorelei KNOWS words but either refuses or hasn’t mastered them yet. And she gets really really quiet in front of people she’s not around alot (even if she knows them). At some times, she is totally ready to practice repeating her ABCs or trying a new word, and other times she’ll act like you have 80 eyeballs or just ignore you. I’m a little sensitive about her language skills as is, but I’m trying to keep in mind that between 18 and 24 months, there are some HUGE changes regarding language she’s going to go through. On the other hand, despite the fact I’m a SAHM and playdates are hard to come by (since we live in the middle of nowhere) Lorelei has all of the things listed for Social down. All of them. I’m keeping them on the list for now, though, just to keep her practicing them. She’s pretty social as it is, though, especially with other children and kids. As far as the other areas go? I’m delighted to start trying them with her, she generally loves trying new things and absolutely LOVES the practical life stuff. We REALLY need a mini (but well made) broom/mop/cleaning set for her.

Welcome back!

I found out rather quickly that there was no way one of the stepstools (stepladders) we already owned would work. Although they place her high enough, Lorelei still can’t reach the faucet – and, since we won’t be installing a child-sized sink (with running water) – she may just have to use a wash cloth to get the whole “washing of hands” thing down. Unless of course, someone can find me a mini sink that uses a pump and jug of water to continuously pump water in and out of a kid-sized sink. That I could refill and empty. Or…um if you want to make one for her…like um if you are her handy dandy Grandpa or Granny or something. *cough cough* (Hint hint) Ha ha. (Wondering if the pump would be similar to what you use for a water pond and then just use a large covered bucket with a hole in it? )

Anyhow, after much research and looking around, I’ve found a good “curriculum” for us to go by – Montessori Infant/Toddler style. Keep in mind, this isn’t really set-in-stone, basically just a list of things we will try to do during our days/weeks. (We’ll try it for the rest of this month and make changes as needed.)

Care Of Self
- Assisting with diapering – The kid already does this by handing and unfolding the diapers for us. Once, she even put the diaper creme on herself. With her clothes on. Made for some greasy spots (at least she knew WHERE it went). We’ll also begin trying the diapering thing standing up (at least some of the time).
-Calming self to sleep – She already does this, too.
-Washing and drying hands
-Taking Clothes Off – You know, I’ve heard horror stories about this. Where the kid is dressed and ready to go, and then you come back and they are stark nekkid. Oh crap. If she learns to do this, then that means she can take her shorts off and the diaper and leave poo on the walls? We might actually skip this one for a bit. Or, only learn to take shirts off.
-Using a fork and spoon at meals – She roughly has the idea of this. Just a matter of A) not picking it off the fork to eat it and B) poking the fork just right so it catches food.
-Using cup to drink – We’ll still use sippy cup for non-meal time just so I don’t lose my sanity. She knows how (in theory) to use a cup but doing it ALL BY HERSELF usually ends in her getting a little too excited about it and pouring too much too fast and not in her mouth. She’ll be drinking water with meals because of this.

Care Of The Environment
-Clearing their space at the table after meals
-Adults model using a towel to wipe up wet spills
-Adults model using care when handling work

Language
-Please, Excuse Me, Thank You, Mine
-Greeting Others (Hi, Bye)
-Recognition of Name (spoken)
-Practice Saying Own Name
-Adults use action words to describe routines
-One piece puzzle
-Two Piece puzzle
-Basket with different textures and shapes from outside
-Shelf with books
-Basket with farm animals *** (need to get these)
-5 min of Foreign Language DVD and practice (?)

Songs and Finger Play
(a variety of songs like Row Your Boat, Five Little Monkeys, Baa baa black sheep, etc.)

Books
-Together, we’ll read books and have story-time

Practical Life
-Dropping Balls into Ball Popper
-Dropping Clothes Pins in a jar
-Insert shapes into corresponding openings
-Transfer objects (ice with spoon, etc)

Sensorial
-Maracas
-Drums
-Tambourine ***(need to make this)
-Color Chain Links *** (need to make this)

Manipulative
-Pull Toy *provide cause and effect*
- Toys with buttons and music/sound

Pre-Math
- One ball in a basket
-1,2,3 Counting

Stationary Work
- Crafts

Large Motor: Indoor
-Up and down stairs
-Obstacle course made with chairs and pillows (or boxes)

Large Motor: Outdoor
-Pushing toys (play lawnmower or riding toys)
-Water Table
-Swing
-Watering Garden

See? Not that much different than what parents already do – it’s just my way of organizing things to make sure she’s getting well-rounded experiences. And, the “curriculum” will change almost every month to reflect what she’s learned to do and to add new skills in! I plan to either remove the mattress from her crib or make a nap mat (trouble will be finding one she finds appropriate) so she can lay down for naps when she gets tired. I kind of want a separate “mat” or small mattress, though because I really do not want to encourage night time middle of the nighters. So, mat it is.

I’ll post some photos later of things we do and make.