Videos and Games for homeschool

I personally do not like my son spending so much time using the internet or even just watching videos or TV. Here are things I go by so I'm assured he's not too media soaked:




1) He only should use 20% of his waking hours on media during weekdays. And only a maximum of 30% on weekends.


2) Media goes after more important things like lessons and special classes.


3) I choose the sites he goes to and he can never use the computer without any qualified adult. In our case, his dad and me. Yaya is not very much knowledgeable in the internet but is getting there.


4) If my son is not behaving well, we make sure we don't use the computer as a tool to make him follow requests. I believe this will only encourage more unfavorable behavior in the future.


5) I make sure that media plays an important role in his cognitive development by making sure I select the videos well and make sure they are all educational. As for movies, I try to research if not watch them ahead.


6) Mental games that he play should particularly target on one or more cognitive skills and should not just be plain fun. Otherwise, he should just go and play other things physically.


Media is a great instrument in my homeschooling with Mikel and it is my desire that he too will be as equipped in IT as we are or even better. I try my best to pick what is good and age appropriate at all times.


Here are some sites for games and some fruitful content:


http://www.coolmath-games.com/


http://www.primarygames.com/math.htm


http://kids.discovery.com/


Here are some videos he likes to watch:


Little Einstein



Backyardigans


Flying House


Super Book


Mickey Mouse Clubhouse


My Friends Tigger & Pooh


Dora


Barney
 

Little Seed

It's so nice to just know that I can do so much to minister to my son. As early as now, I can make him see the goodness of the Lord and how great it is to have a relationship with God. As part of his homeschooling, we read a book entitled The Big Book of Questions and Answers About Jesus by Sinclair Ferguson. I got this book through OMF online. Yes, a few months ago, I bought books online when other people just go straight to OMF bookstore which is actually just 20 mins away from my place. I just did not have the time then. 

When I got a hold of the book, I realized that the content was for kids in higher primary. It was definitely not for preschoolers. But then I thought, I could work it out. I am a teacher after all. I assured myself that I could actually make it simpler for Mikel. The book had so many great teachings that I didn't want Mikel to miss out on. So there goes our journey...

Day 1 : Mikel was wondering why we were reading this book. He asked me what it was about and why it had so many words in it. He had the bored look on his face as we were going through the first paragraphs. He just could not focus. We were both crawling through the passage (question 1). Answering the questions was out of the question. I thought, we could just try again tomorrow. 

I prayed for patience and wisdom for both of us. I prayed that Mikel will have an open mind and he will start to want to get to know Jesus.

Day 2: We read Question 1 of Chapter 1 again.  What does the name Jesus mean? By God's grace, Mikel was more attentive this time. We were successful at answering the questions together. But most of the responses were initiated by me. Mikel still had the puzzled look on his face. He seem to have no clue of why how to answer the questions. He made the drawing that was an activity in the chapter.

Day 3: Mikel asked me about the book. I praised the Lord. We started Chapter 2 and he started reading the questions aloud. I didn't even have to ask him to help me read them like I would when I wanted some participation from him. 

Day 4: Mikel did not want to read. He complained about how long it was going to take. I tried to explain that this was something I would like to share with him because I want him to be happy. Of course, it took a lot of talking. He said he wanted to do something else that day and asked if we could do it another time. 

I prayed for him. I prayed that he would have the desire to read the book again and find the value. I really hoped it would be soon.

Day 5: A few days after Day 4, I showed Mikel the book and he agreed to read it. I thanked God for that. Mikel and I alternately read the paragraphs. And when there was a dialogue, we would act it out. That was really amazing! We started reading the book as if it was another one of his favorite line of storybooks. He loves books by Mo Willems and he adores Piggy and Gerald. 

Day 6: We started reading the passage from the bible that were suggested in the book. It was quite long and I had to summarize afterwards. He started to pray the prayer at the end, all on his own. I felt so glad. I praised the Lord.

Day 7, 8, 9: Mikel has grown to love the book and considers it part of our everyday schedule. He likes to read it at night before he sleeps. He loves doing the activities prescribed in the book. Sometimes he would ask to read it in the mornings too.

Day 10, 11: He has started to read the bible passages with me. We actually referred to a bible. We took turns as they were usually long. He said the prayer at the end of the chapter and we would both add to it.


Day 12: I'm just amazed at how he answered the questions and that he would also ask me what my answer was. What a leap for him!  He of course owned the book now.

Mikel and I still have a long way to go in reading this book. And he has an even longer way to go reading the word through the bible. But I am one happy mommy that he has started doing so. Just the other day, he asked me what book I was reading in the bible. I said it was Isaiah. Then he replied, "I like Isaiah". I know he just knows the name of the books now and not really what's written. It is my hope that one day, on his own, he would actually read and understand the bible. My prayer is that he would take the word as food that he needs everyday. I trust that God would just continue to pursue Him the way he pursued me. I thank Him for that blessing.

1 Peter 2-3 

  Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you   

may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord 

is good.

Is Your Child Gifted?

So you really think your child is gifted? He just knows too much or does things so well. It's just not usual for kids his age. You often wonder if you should have him assessed or you should at least be doing something about it. In fact, there are times when you're a bit scared. You want to make sure you're doing the right thing and not breaking that giftedness. You want to make sure you satisfy his curiosity well enough, as you have read from articles about giftedness. Here are some characteristics of a gifted child according to Parenting Gifted Kids by J. Delisle Ph.D. Check if you can relate:

• Gifted children often prefer the company of adults or older children. The reason is obvious: They don't need to explain who they are and how they know what they know.
• Your son's teacher sends you a note that reads, "Although I love Joey's enthusiasm, he must stop shouting out his answers in class. Also, please talk to him about the incessant tapping of his pencil, and his need to sit down when he is doing his worksheets. "
• Your kid does not always get high grades in regular school. Although he is extremely good in specific subjects like art, math or music.
• A gifted child has the sense of humor of an adult. 

Here are some good reads if you suspect your child is gifted:

http://www.austega.com/gifted/preschoolers.htm

http://giftedhomeschoolers.org/articles/IsYourYoungChildGifted.html

Homeschool Ideas

So, you've finally decided to homeschool your kid. It's normal to feel a bit clueless on how to start. How about trying to make a weekly schedule. You don't necessarily have to follow it strictly especially if something unexpected comes up. It will just serve as a guide for you as you are only learning to organize your homeschooling routine. Here is a sample schedule that you can use as a guide. Of course it's best to add the things you and your kid like doing together. You are free to change your schedule when you feel the need. Have fun!

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

8:00-9:00	Morning Prayer BREAKFAST	Morning Prayer BREAKFAST	Morning Prayer BREAKFAST	Morning Prayer BREAKFAST	Morning Prayer BREAKFAST	Morning Prayer BREAKFAST	Morning Prayer BREAKFAST
9:00-10:00	Questions About Jesus (Book)	Bible Story	Questions About Jesus	Bible Story	Questions About Jesus	Swimming Class	Piano Class
10:00-11:00	Math & English	Filipino & Civics	Science	Filipino & Civics	Math & English	Watch a Movie on DVD	Play Games on Galaxy Tab
11:00-12:00	Play	Music Video	Science Experiment	Bible Video	Math Games/Play	Bonding with Daddy	Bonding with Daddy
12:00	LUNCH	LUNCH	LUNCH	LUNCH	LUNCH	LUNCH	LUNCH
1:00-2:00	Nap/Rest Quiet Activity	VCIS for Special Class in Art	Nap/Rest Quiet Activity	Nap/Rest Quiet Activity	Nap/Rest Quiet Activity	Nap/Rest (if at home)	Nap/Rest (if at home)
2:00-3:00	Learning Grammar	Play	Reading	Learning Grammar	Reading	Play group	Play Area
2:00-6:00	Trip to the Mall or Grocery	Soccer Training Play	Trip to the bookstore or library	Play Wii or Magic Sing	Timezone!	Trip to Museum or Any Activity Center/Mall	Church
7:00-8:00	Dinner	Dinner	Dinner	Dinner	Dinner	Dinner	Dinner
8:00-9:00	Bonding with Dad	Bonding with Dad	Bonding with Dad	Bonding with Dad	Bonding with Dad	Family Activity	Family Activity

The Bee is not so Buzzy for Homechoolers

I homeschool at an average of 2 hours a day. If you count in those teachable moments which can happen as often as we're together, then it's so much more than that. What I love about homeschooling is that it's so flexible and it really targets Mikel's specific needs. They say you are your child's best teacher. And of course you know and love your child more than anybody does.

We can be at a mall and be learning about grocery prices and money. There's also always a chance for him to interact with different people not necessarily kids his age but vendors, waiters, baggers, cashiers, etc. I just love that I don't have to bring him so far to get that experience. But it won't hurt if we did go far, with all the savings we made from not putting him in regular school. Say, Beijing or Bangkok for some cultural exploration. 

Honestly speaking, I've thought about enrolling him in regular school. And though God has blessed us with the finances, I felt He was really calling me to do this for my son. We went to two schools and they both said he is quite advanced for his age. You see, he started reading at 3 years old. Now he can read texts that are meant for kids in grade one. And he spells like a 7 year old as well. This is according to one of the teachers.

Although academically bright, I know Mikel needs so much support, emotionally. He still is quite the preschooler that he is: moody, active, loud, adventurous and utterly persistent (or in tagalog, "makulit"). That is not to say that those aren't good traits. They in fact can be beneficial. His mood swings and loudness warn me that I may not be engaging him well enough or he is not getting enough rest and sleep. If it gets too much then it tells me he needs a PEP talk. I'm just glad to be involved in disciplining my own child. 

Mikel is so active and adventurous, he can run around like a monkey. It's totally alright until I become the tree and my arms and legs are the branches. Again, this is a reminder that I need to get him into something physical like sports or exercise which again could involve some money, but remember we saved so much by homeschooling. Thus, we are free to choose. So we chose soccer for him. I just pray he likes it. 

He is also enrolled into two other special classes right now which we can afford to do with all the savings we made. He in fact will be socializing more than he would be in a regular school with all the hours spent in those classes. Mikel is utterly persistent about things he want to do but I know how to handle that now. He reasons out like a teenager to get his point across. I actually find it funny most of the time but I try my best not to show it. He usually gives in to what I tell him to do after much discussion. It doesn't mean that he won't try to ask me again next time. Like asking that we include Timezone in his weekly schedule and add more hours to playing Angry Birds, every chance he gets. This quality just tells me he won't be easily bullied in the future and he exactly knows what he wants from life. He seem to never give up. 

On top of all this I get to share my faith with my son and hopefully impart the joy in having Jesus in my life. Once we were at Bonifacio high street and it rained so badly that we couldn't get to the open parking lot, as we didn't bring an umbrella. He was shouting and telling the rain to stop. I told him to try to pray to Jesus instead. I told him about the passage when Jesus stopped the storm in front of his disciples. In my mind I was praying to God to just give me a window of no rain so I could go to the car and pick them up after. It was probably the first time Mikel had prayed for something as big as that and it would certainly build his faith. In less than ten minutes the rain stopped. I got the car and picked up Mikel and my sister from the covered area. Then, it started raining again. There was a typhoon that night. Mikel told me,  "Mommy, Jesus stopped the rain so we could go in the car". I almost cried, tears of joy. 

I may be so biased in saying all this. I love homeschooling but there are certainly struggles too, like anything new.  And really homeschooling is not for everyone. But if you feel that you are called to do this, don't be afraid. God is with you in all this. After all, you can never do it alone. There are so many homeschoolers and they can help you too. Get connected and seek advice. Have fun and cherish every moment.  =)

Happy Homeschooling Folks!

Aiyi

P.S. 

Special classes are free at VCIS Homeschool. If you want to know more please call Victory at 8171212.