Arts and crafts

Oh that would be awesome, thank you SO much Trudie.

For a while now I have been wondering when would be the right time to send my LG to a creche or playschool but I could never find an answer, but you just confirmed it for me. She doesn't have to go anywhere because I can teach her everything myself!

I've always loved the idea of homeschooling, but I don't know if I really have the brains for it. Not that I did badly in school but that was a while ago! Just couldn't see myself doing all the projects the parents are doing for their (school going) kids everyday. Had to keep myself in when I went to the store this morning - almost bought a workbook for Grade R!

Marijke the best option will be to do the school readiness checks with her. You can also check her according to the curriculum standards for Grade R - I have it and will need to type it up for you as I don't have a scanner to scan it for you . Give me a day or so and I will upload it here for you.

Trudie, I thought of something last night and really wanted to ask you. If I only decide to 'homeschool' B till Grade R and then send B to 'big school', how do I know that I've covered every aspect of development with her? I know they have school readiness checks, which they possibly perform in Grade R but I would like to give her a headstart and I'm no teacher so I'm not sure of all the things they should be able to have mastered apon entering school.

Hope you can help clueless me

Nothing like planning a first birthday party! Love the idea of using hearts as a theme, I also have a winters baby so I know the challenges of keeping things inside and fun! For kiddos their age you don't need to go all out on crafting ideas for them at the party. Kids of that age really just enjoy playing with some fun toys,etc. Get a little swimmingpool and some balls and make a ball pond, get some fun toys and make a few play corners for them. I won't recommend the playdough - trust me, it will get messy!!!! Mikaela is almost 2 now and she is just starting to play nicely with playdough. They tend to make little balls and squish it into your carpets etc.

You can make some playdough and give it to them as their party gift. (in their goodie baggies) They can then take it home and play with it there! Montessori Moments have a wonderful playdough recipe.

www.mommymoment.ca/

You don't need to spend hundreds of rands decorating as well, buy craft foam (so cheap!) and cut hearts etc out to decorate the tables and goodie bags. You can also make some lacing hearts for the little ones to play with and take home.

trudie-jollymommy.blogspot.com/2010/02/lacing-hearts.html
here's the link to my lacing hearts project.

I also save all the balloon sticks that you get at places like wimpy and mc donalds. When M's birthday comes I just buy some cheapie balloons and put them on the recycled sticks.

For your little one and crafts now - I would recommend finger painting (with real safe, non toxic fingerpaint or instant puddings!) I love the pudding one as they can eat away and it won't harm them. You can also use custard,etc Messy but fun!

Get some thick crayons - staedler has some great ones- for her to start colouring in. Soon she will be asking for it!

Contact paper is a firm favourite in our house, you can stick pieces of tissue paper, non toxic leaves, etc on there and best of all - no mess! Just be careful what you give her - at that age they tend to stick everything in their mouths. Always supervise and make sure everyting is non toxic - as I am sure you would in any case.

she is such a silly girl!

There are so many websites,etc out there with wonderful free resources to download and print. Please visit the Tot School site 1+1+1=1, Carissa has loads of free printables and wonderful links to other sites. When I started homeschooling Mikaela I started on Carissa's site and followed links etc to find all the other gems.

It is sad that you don't have support around you, but, most of my homeschooling friends are in the US, I even have one in Cuba and some in Australia as well. The wonderful thing nowadays is that you can communicate via email, skype, twitter etc, you don't need anyone close to you.

I am sure if you do decide to host something like a art and craft playdate in your town that there will be other mommies who would like to join in, they all want something like that, they are just not sure how to implement it!

Sites I love:

www.makinglearningfun.com
homeschoolcreations.blogspot.com
www.apples4theteacher.com
1plus1plus1equals1.blogspot.com
amommysadventures.blogspot.com
confessionsofahomeschooler.blogspot.com
lettersnumbersandbooksohmy.blogspot.com

These should keep you busy for a while!