My Ramblings Concerning Tot School

This really is a bunch of ramblings, so if you intend to read this post, just smile and bear with me.  : )

Every week, I see the new Tot School posts being put up, and I wonder when I’ve ever going to get around to posting about my own.  We’ve been back in England about 3 1/2 weeks now, and so far this year Tot School just hasn’t been easy.  I’m the type of person who works best when everything is organized, and at the minute nothing is!  Gabriela also works best when I’m organized.  When I just randomly throw her something to do, she doesn’t tend to be interested.  So I often end up putting her in front of a video just to keep her out of trouble.  It’s not what I want to do…

Gabriela HAS been doing a certain amount of Tot School, but it’s usually a spur-of-the-moment “here, play with this” kind of thing…not a real “let me spend time doing school with you” kind of thing.  Yes, I did make a nice sensory tub (I had purchased the stuff to make it, and since it was a fall tub, I had to make it quickly), and I even made some nice play dough.  However, the trays and activities have mostly been “grab something and give it to her” type of stuff.

In my heart, I absolutely love doing Tot School, and I want Gabriela to be included in our homeschool.  I will continue as soon as I can.  However, my older two children have to be my top priority in the homeschool simply because they’re legally required to be educated.  The hectic start to our school year made it difficult to get their planning done—I’m still working on some of it as we go!

This isn’t what I had envisioned for this year, but that’s how it goes when part of the school year involves travelling.  It will get better…soon I hope!

Maybe I should explain what I want her Tot School to be, because if I post about it, maybe it will motivate me to hurry and get organized!  Every weekend, I get some organizing done, so hopefully it will be very soon!  I’m also waiting to find some large (and affordable) shelf units to store everything on.  I do love living in England, but one complaint I have is that houses don’t tend to have closets.  Storage is a really a big problem for us.

First of all, I’m planning to use the Letter of the Week preschool curriculum (from Confessions of a Homeschooler).  Yes, I know.  It’s November, and we haven’t started it yet.  But that doesn’t really bother me…she’s only 3.  Once we’re organized and settled into our routine, I will print and laminate what I need and begin the program!

Secondly, I plan to use a book given to me by another homeschool mom.  It’s a Carson-Dellosa book called Mother Goose by the Month: Developmental Units for Preschool and Kindergarten.  It’s basically monthly theme units based on both Mother Goose rhymes and also on holidays/seasons.  While some activities may be too advanced for Gabriela, there enough activities she CAN do!  I’m starting with the November one, so it will carry on to next year when she’s in preschool.

Now, let me say one thing here.  Both of the programs I just mentioned are for PRESCHOOL.  Gabriela just turned 3.  While I feel she is fairly bright, I’m not going to be pushy with her.  She has shown interest in learning her letters and even learned some last year.  I’m going to try out the programs on her, but if they don’t work, then I will focus on the tot trays and Montessori activities only.  I’ll save them for when she turns 4 if that’s the way it works out.  Or I may use just some of the activities in the programs this year and some next year.  We’ll see how it goes!

In addition to these two program, I will carry on with Montessori activities, sensory tubs, tot trays, and educational games and toys.  All of these things require time and organization, which I haven’t had much time to do.  Anyway, it’s really an exciting plan, if I can just get it started! 

I know maybe I’m worrying too much over it, and I need to learn to relax and be flexible.  But Tot School is really something I desire to do, and I hate being unorganized!  Plus, I know Gabriela enjoys doing school with us, but she enjoys it more if I have it planned and ready for her.  I also don’t want to keep sending her to watch videos.

I do have some pictures of Tot School to post, and I will try to do it soon!