For awhile now, I've been feeling like I should have some structured teaching time with the older kids. Both are at an age where they soak in everything and this is a prime time to guide them in the learning process. I haven't forced it because I know Reagan will start school soon and I think free play and learning through play is also very valuable. You are only a kid for so long and I want the kids to remember playing, not Mom forcing school on them before preschool even begins. However, I decided this summer I really want to focus in on some structured time.
Enter "Learning time." Ryan and I discussed a very loose curriculum I will follow this summer. And by curriculum, I mean I came up with a few ideas and we'll learn about them throughout June, July, and August. At the kids' age, it is more important for them to show an interest in what I'm teaching them instead of having a forced time to sit and learn. So with this in mind, I have decided to only do "learning time" Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays each week and my goal is about 15-20 minutes (if I can keep them engaged that long!).
This past Monday, June 16 was our first official day of "Learning Time." I talked it over with the kids at breakfast that morning to let them know what we were going to do that day. Reagan was beyond excited! He kept asking me if the big "hand is straight down?" (I told them "Learning Time would be at 9:30a) because he couldn't wait to start learning. This just reinforced that this was a good idea and it would help structure our day.
I have a tentative calendar of things I'd like to teach them. Some of our subjects are already familiar, but I want to incorporate different aspects into it so they get a better understanding of the subject matter. Below I have a list of things we'll be discussing:
Week Of:
6/16 - Shapes
6/23 - Transportation
6/30 - Weather (not sure if I'll do this or not)
7/7 - Farm Animals
7/14 - Zoo Animals
7/21 - Sports
7/28 - ???
8/11 - ???
8/18 - ???
I'm really excited to do this with the kids and I hope they will enjoy it!
Wednesday, June 18, 2014
Sunday, June 1, 2014
Rylan Update
It just occurred to me that I rarely post about Rylan and the only reason for this is because all of her milestones and exciting things are being entered into her baby book. After she turns 1y, I'll post more about her on here.
But a little update about her will do :) For whatever reason, she has decided to stop sleeping through the night. This began at the beginning of May and I assumed it was just a few nights, but out of the 31 days, she probably slept through the night (8p-5a) only 5 times. Now, a disclaimer: I know I shouldn't complain at all that my 3 month old (that's how old she was during May )was only getting up once a night. Most moms are still getting up at least 2x at this stage. However, when she started sleeping through the night at 7 weeks and then all of a sudden stopped, it has been a hard transition for me! I am much more tired and less patient with the other kids because my sleep is disjointed. I'm hoping this is just a phase and she'll start sleeping through the night again soon!
In more exciting news, she finally rolled over! She's been trying to roll for the whole month, and on May 30th, she finally did it! I wasn't home to see this milestone and I was so bummed. However, Ryan was able to see it and I was happy for him; I often get to see the milestones first, so for him to see it first was special. She rolled over for me today and I was thrilled! And now she's acting like a pro-front to back, back to front. Anytime you leave her on the floor now, she's rolling all over :)
She's growing up so fast, and it's really fun to watch her achieve new things.
Up next...sleep training!
But a little update about her will do :) For whatever reason, she has decided to stop sleeping through the night. This began at the beginning of May and I assumed it was just a few nights, but out of the 31 days, she probably slept through the night (8p-5a) only 5 times. Now, a disclaimer: I know I shouldn't complain at all that my 3 month old (that's how old she was during May )was only getting up once a night. Most moms are still getting up at least 2x at this stage. However, when she started sleeping through the night at 7 weeks and then all of a sudden stopped, it has been a hard transition for me! I am much more tired and less patient with the other kids because my sleep is disjointed. I'm hoping this is just a phase and she'll start sleeping through the night again soon!
In more exciting news, she finally rolled over! She's been trying to roll for the whole month, and on May 30th, she finally did it! I wasn't home to see this milestone and I was so bummed. However, Ryan was able to see it and I was happy for him; I often get to see the milestones first, so for him to see it first was special. She rolled over for me today and I was thrilled! And now she's acting like a pro-front to back, back to front. Anytime you leave her on the floor now, she's rolling all over :)
She's growing up so fast, and it's really fun to watch her achieve new things.
Up next...sleep training!
Reagan and Kyleigh - May 2014
My notes from this month. I don't have as many as I usually do :(
Reagan:
Reagan:
- LOVES reading
- Has many books memorized so he "reads" to himself
- Bedtime is better (in general), but the kids talk to each other for 30 minutes before finally settling down and going to sleep (it's sweet, I think)
- Learning the days of the week and always wants to know what day it is (first half of month)
- Poop breakthrough! Starting going on the potty on his own without even telling me he has to poop
- Very protective of his sisters, especially Kyleigh
- Knows his days of the week (except Wed/Thurs) and calls Saturday "Saturway"
- Obsessed with water
- Wants to see everything (inside cups, or anything you hold)
- Loves to sit on our lap and read stories
- Says "no want to" and throwing tantrums
- Calls motorcycles "goodmorning cycles"
- Gallops instead of walking or running
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