Need help from homeschoolers, daycare providers, etc

[twirlerzmom]

Does anyone have ideas on a curriculum geared towards all different ages, but mostly 1-5 year olds? I run a family home daycare and the state is requiring us to ramp up our centers to become more "instructional". I've tried to run a structured program in the past but found it doesn't work well due to all different ages and attention spans that I must incorporate all at the same time. I do incorporate learning each day, but it's based through their daily play. This isn't going to cut it in the future though. I feel sad about the changes. I understand the point is to provide quality care but I do believe you can provide quality care and teach all the while allowing our children to be children. I think these little ones get enough structure once they get to school age. Anyway, any ideas out there? Or any websites you use for reference or ordering lesson plans?

[SharLamb]

Gag me with a pitchfork. This makes me see scarlet. Let these poor little kids be kids for crying out loud.

hmmm....was that too much of a political statement? If so, I won't have hurt feelings if this comment is deleted. Well, they will be hurt, but I won't be surprised.

My DD just moved to a new state where her 5-year-old went to the new kindergarten starting in January. Here they have all day kindergarten with no nap or rest time, no recess, homework expected to be done every night, in addition to reading a minimum of 15 minutes per night. My DD took her out of school after 3 days of this kind of torture. Good GRIEF. What are they THINKING?

[Starlite9711]

Originally Posted by SharLamb

My DD just moved to a new state where her 5-year-old went to the new kindergarten starting in January. Here they have all day kindergarten with no nap or rest time, no recess, homework expected to be done every night, in addition to reading a minimum of 15 minutes per night. My DD took her out of school after 3 days of this kind of torture. Good GRIEF. What are they THINKING?

This is the exact reason I am pulling my 5 yo out of public school. It has gotten out of hand.

As to the original question...being a day-care teacher for 5 years (with 2 1/2 yos), what we did in schools was a very basic lesson plan. Calendar grid with different random weeks focusing on a theme...weather, days of the week, colors, shapes, etc (for example we'd have a blue week...go over blue ALL week) and every day we'd have art, snack, music, story time, counting (different manipulatives each day on theme weeks this would be incorporated) outside play time (UNSTRUCTURED) and pe type play time one or two days a week.
I don't know how strict these rules will be, but if it were me, Id make up a calendar fill in the days with activities-various arts and crafts, pe games, books you will read, label a few themes here and there. If you don't follow it to a tee, at least you have it for when/if they ask. That's just what I would do.

[twirlerzmom]

Ummmm yes, ladies, these are my sentiments exactly. I never claimed to be a teacher. I have claimed however, to be a childcare provider, a loving "nana" to their children while they are away, and to provide them with nutritious meals and lots of love while in my care. I also will teach them the basics of being a good friend, manners and coping skills so necessary when they do reach the school years. I also will teach them the basics such as colors, letters, etc through the act of playing. I wish the state could see how important it is to let me do my job, which is nurturing, loving and teaching but not be so caught up in all the red tape that they require, which leaves me no time to sit and PLAY with the kids. They need that. Ok, just my 2 cents on the matter! Off my soapbox.....

[shhbabymine]

seriously.. check into charolette mason if you want a great way to prepare children for their futures... (and if its required that you have a "source" for educational purposes, all her stuff is online - its classical and i just love it)
and i could easily join you on that soap box... its so out of control when our children cant simply be children...

[kb7496]

Five in a Row has a great preschool book with an easy curriculum to follow. For each day of one week you read the same story. But each day you focus on something different:maybe counting one day, colors another, etc. It is based on classic books and we just loved it.