SnowCone and her Preschool Adventures

I posted a video of SnowCone beginning to read on my Facebook page, and I have gotten a couple of messages asking what learning materials we are using for her since she is not quite four years old.  She WILL be turning four at the end of this week though.  Click on the link to hear her learning to read. VIDEO learning to read

For at least a year, she has been fascinated in watching any of the Leapfrog videos.  The letter factory video teaches beginning sounds which she picked up very early.  We also make it a habit to watch educational cartoons IF the tv is ever on during school time (which is rare).  We really like WordWorld for an educational cartoon.  We have also downloaded a BOB books app to her iPad.  It has been great to get her prepared to read as well.

We have been using All About Reading Pre-Level 1 to teach and reinforce letters, sounds, syllables, rhyming words, etc.  We started when she was a little older than 3 and used it as she was interested.  I do not believe that at such a young age children should be forced to sit and learn through curriculum because I believe that there are too many other opportunities for them to learn and be taught.  However, given that her older sister sits at the table for her school work, SnowCone wants to do the exact same thing.  It has become more of a daily occurrence now that she is closer to 4. Of course that has been my perfect opportunity to make it fun and worthwhile for her.  All About Reading has done a fantastic job at teaching her the things that she needs to know plus it throws in extra fun and games.  Some games are even played with our favorite zebra puppet, Ziggy.  She LOVES learning with Ziggy.  

I do supplement extras from the blogs & curriculum of Confessions of a Homeschooler and 1+1+1=1.  They are both exceptional blogs to find stand alone curriculum and any add ons to what we are already learning.

SnowCone loves to do puzzles, she likes to put things in number order, color sort, sort by type, and to do fun crafts that go along with the letter that we are using.  We play rhyming games, UNO, Spot It and many others.  Basically, she is a part of our every day education activities.  I have to admit that it has been my very favorite part of our homeschool journey.  The pleasure of watching them learn together and teach each other has been a precious treasure.  Again, she is not made to do school, but she wants to and she thrives in it.  At her age, they are sponges.  They happily soak up everything in sight.  She has also learned at least half of the 50 United States already just from being part of her sister's projects in learning about the United States and by playing Stack the States on her iPad or by watching her sister play.  My mom told me that as the girls were riding in the car with her, Mango asked, "What is the capital of Oklahoma."  Then Mango answered somewhat answered herself and said, "Oh it's Tulsa".  My mom didn't immediately correct her so SnowCone chimed in and said, "No it's NOT.  It is Oklahoma City!".  Amazing.  They are ALWAYS listening and learning.