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Tips For Keeping Children Safe Online: Undercover Underage
Easy Ways to Teach Letters to Your Homeschooler
When our son was about two years old, my husband and I made a very tough decision. That decision was to homeschool him and any other children we may have. I did not take this decision lightly and started researching and planning immediately. By this time, my son could already recognize letters, but I knew there was still work to be done with learning letters.
I created a curriculum that I would change weekly. It would include specific things to do each day, as well as activities specified for each day of the week. It worked well and it sank in rather quickly. We often found ourselves learning more than one letter a week. My daughter has a much different learning style and with her speech problems, it took her longer to learn the letters. I made the curriculum work for her as well.
Over the years, I have found some must-have items for teaching letters; most- if not all, are very hands-on.
1. Magnetic letters are a must-have. Not only can you use them right in the kitchen, but they grow with your child and can be used for alphabetizing and spelling. Also, being shaped like letters makes it easier for tactile learners to grasp the shape of each letter.
2. Sheet protectors and dry-erase markers make tracing letters a breeze. Write it (or print) it once, and your son or daughter can trace it to their heart’s content. Later on, this same tactic can be used for vocabulary, math, and so much more.
3. Bulletin board letters can be used for many different purposes. I created lacing cards out of them and even use them for flashcards. One of our most fun activities is to spread all the letters on the floor, and she gets me the letter I tell her.
4. Magnetic drawing boards have been our favorite thing for learning. These toys have so many purposes; we use them like a blackboard, magic tracing (lay a paper over it, trace, move paper, and see what you made), and more. Because they are toys, that adds even more of an element of fun into learning. Plus, they are made for kids, so the wand is also more comfortable for kids to hold than a pencil.
5. Alphabet beads are great for learning the order of the letters. Each week, when we switch letters, we just leave the previous letters on the string. They help the kids relate to the order in a fun way.
Naturally, many of the same “school supplies” for older kids are a must and will get your little one excited about school. Grab some pencils, glue, paper, scissors, and crayons. Present your child with these items and explain that they have a class like big kids. I’m always amazed at how this will get a little kid excited.
One of the first things I bought for my son was an alphabet classroom border. I cut them apart and used each letter one at a time. When we finished each letter, I hung them in his room. This is an excellent way for the kids to be reminded each day of the letters, even during playtime. Plus, it is a simple way for them to relate the upper-case and lower-case letters.
With these simple tools, creating learning time and a learning environment is much simpler than it seems. However, the tools do not provide it all. Over the past 10 years of teaching my children and helping family and friends teach their kids the alphabet, I have learned some other things that help little ones learn.
Put yourself in their shoes- yes, this may seem so simple to adults, but to toddlers, the alphabet is the hardest thing they have ever tried to learn.
Make it routine- even if it is three times a week, keep a schedule. Learning a routine is also an important thing the kids are learning during this time.
Find a trigger that says “school time.” This could be a notebook, a hat, background music, or even sitting in a particular area. When you work this into the routine, the child knows it is time to learn, not play, sleep, or eat. They also know that during this time, mom is their teacher.
Point out what the child is learning away from home. Standing in the grocery store queue, on road signs, and even on billboards stuck in traffic, pointing out the letters can help your child relate to what they are learning.
Of course, this is not an all-inclusive guide, but hopefully, these tips and tricks can help you get started and even give you some confidence when starting your child on the journey to learning the alphabet.
Must Watch: His Only Son #EasterFilm
His Only Son recounts one of the most controversial moments in the Old Testament—when Abraham was commanded by God to sacrifice his son Isaac on the mountain of Moriah. While traveling to the place of the sacrifice, alongside Isaac and two servants, Abraham is flooded with vivid memories from the years he and Sarah spent longing for the son they were promised—the son he must now lay upon the altar.
The Confession Musical
Who is your favorite comedian?
Mine is Chonda Pierce. I saw her many years ago speak at a convention I went to with my mom, granny, and some ladies from the church. She has a wonderful humor and it is nice and clean. Believe me, we laughed until we had tears in our eyes.
I had no idea she was making a movie and as soon as I heard, I knew I had to see it.
Now, you have to see it too!
Order your tickets now to see The Confession Musical Movie with John Schneider and Chonda Pierce. You will Sing, Dance, Laugh and Gasp in this new film from Blue Gate Musicals! ONLY IN MOVIE THEATERS ON FEBRUARY 20. Get your tickets here.
What If Jesus Was Never Born? Special DVD/ Video/ Book Offer
Disclaimer: I received free copies to facilitate a review. All opinions are my own and were in no way influenced by the client.
Asking questions is something I do quite often and it is an amazing trait (although annoying at times) that I have passed on to my children. There is one question I have recently come across that trumps all questions.
What if Jesus Was Never Born?
What a question, right? Have you ever thought about all the areas in life that are affected because Jesus was born? I didn't really until I watched the film. I guess I took for granted that Jesus lived and died for us.
Did you know that his life had an effect on art, science, medicine, and so much more? It goes deeper than that too.
You can receive the video (DVD or digital), and/ or book with your choice of donation. Just click here
9 Steps to Create a Wellness and Self-Care Routine
Image: Pexels
9 Steps to Create a Wellness and Self-Care Routine
Are you feeling overwhelmed with all the tasks you do every day? As a working mom, it can be challenging to manage your workload while still taking time for yourself. It’s important to prioritize self-care, so The Palmetto Queen shares nine steps to create a wellness and self-care routine that will help you stay balanced and productive.
Get Plenty of Sleep
Sleep is the most important part of any wellness routine. Aim for 7-9 hours of sleep each night and establish a regular bedtime routine that works for you. This could include reading, listening to music, or meditating before going to bed. Make sure your bedroom is dark and comfortable so that your mind can rest properly.
Keep a Healthy Diet
A healthy diet is key for maintaining energy levels throughout the day. Eating nutrient-dense foods that are high in lean protein, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables will give you the fuel you need to keep going. If possible, try to cook meals at home rather than relying on processed or fast food options.
Exercise Regularly
Exercising regularly can help reduce stress levels and boost your mood, as well as improve muscle strength and joint flexibility. Find an exercise plan that works for you—it could be anything from running or cycling to yoga or Pilates—and make sure it fits into your daily schedule. Exercise should not be treated as an obligation; it should be something enjoyable.
Connect with Family and Friends
In this busy world we live in today, it’s easy to forget about our relationships with family and friends. Take some time out of each week for socializing with people who bring joy into your life. Even if it’s just catching up on the phone or texting back and forth, go out and spend time with others. Keeping in touch with loved ones will help give you perspective on life outside of work responsibilities.
Spend Time in Nature
Spending time outdoors has been proven to have numerous health benefits including lower stress levels, improved mental clarity, increased creativity and productivity, better sleep quality, and improved physical health. With this in mind, take advantage of nature whenever possible. Even if it’s just walking around the block or sitting on a porch swing during lunch break—any amount of time spent outdoors can do wonders for your well-being!
Unplug from Technology
Take some time each day away from screens, whether it's watching TV after dinner or scrolling through social media during lunch break. Try reducing these activities to give yourself more time for other activities like reading books or going outside more often. A digital detox every now and then can do wonders for your mental health.
Keep Your Home Clean and Clear of Clutter
Keeping our homes clean is essential when trying to maintain a peaceful environment that allows us to recharge after long days at work. Make sure there are no piles of clothes lying around or dishes left unwashed. Simple tasks like these can make all the difference when creating an inviting and positive atmosphere at home.
Gauge Your Career Track
Taking some time out of each month (or maybe once every quarter) to reflect on how things have been going career-wise. Where are you headed professionally? Where would you like things to go? What changes could potentially benefit both yourself as well as others? Analyzing one's professional trajectory helps provide insight into how best to course-correct one if needed.
Consider Going Back to School
Now that online education has become increasingly popular (and often more affordable than traditional schooling), consider investing in yourself by going back to school. While this may seem scary at first, having additional credentials such as a master’s degree always looks good on resumes.
Creating a wellness routine doesn't have to be overwhelming; start small by incorporating one or two activities per day into your schedule such as getting enough sleep, decluttering your home, or exercising regularly. Then gradually add more over time until eventually, you'll find yourself feeling refreshed and energized throughout the day. Every person's routine will look different but hopefully, these tips provide insight into what could work best for yours.