Pk2 and other learning programs

cocojack10

My boys (as are all children) are little sponges, and it continuously amazes me the things they know without us really teaching them.  I'd love to sit down with them and teach them a ciricullum, but I'm not a trained teacher, and wouldn't know where to begin.  I do however, want to continue stimulating their brains as much as possible.  I spoke to Pedi last night and she said Gymboree type classes, or a Pk2 program (maybe pt).  I know there is also the UM Music program that I wanted to do before anyway.

Can you all please recommend a progam you have used or are using?  This is just to begin research bc I'm sure they will cost an arm and leg considering it is 2 kids, and I'm working pt... so not sure if a "school" would be feasible now... but still would like to research.

Thanks!

southmiamiwifejen

We're starting our 3rd semester of the UM MusicTime program this Saturday. We love it! I feel that Emma gets a lot from it and it's just nice to have that regularly scheduled block of time where we get out of the house as a family and do something fun and educational together. The only thing that I don't like about it is that most of the "levels" require you to do 4 semesters of that level before moving up (unless the child is a certain age) and it gets kind of old doing essentially the same curriculum over and over again. I'm going to see if the teacher will let Emma skip the 4th semester of her current level and go to the next level for the fall. If she says no, I'll probably take some time off and do something like Gymboree in the meantime until she's a little older and will qualify for the next level of MusicTime regardless.

As for school, we started Emma in "school" in August (she was 20 months old at the time). She goes Monday through Thursday from around 8:45 or so until 11 a.m. We have her at the Little Caveliers program in Coral Gables Senior High. My mom founded the program over 25 years ago and still runs it. Basically, my mom is a teacher for the high school students...she teaches Early Childhood Education. As part of the class, they run a laboratory pre-school that the little kids attend and the high school students get to interact with the kids as part of my mom's class. My mom oversees everything and also has various teacher aides who are overseeing everything all the time. So the high school students are never alone with the kids. But they are always around to play with, interact with, and "teach" the kids. If the high school students take all 4 levels of my mom's class, they can be certified to work at licensed day cares or pre-schools without doing any additional hours of training. I know it's a super personal thing and some people might not be comfortable with the thought of a bunch of teenagers being around their kids all day. I know I'm biased because it's my mom's program and I grew up with it, but I personally think it's great. The kids get so much more one-on-one interaction than they would at a traditional day care or pre-school, and the high school students who choose to take my mom's class (it's an elective, obviously) are all incredibly nurturing and caring with the kids. Again, I know I'm biased, but for me it's been a GREAT experience so far and I know that many of the parents who put their kids there feel the same.

I put Emma in school for the same reason you described - I felt like she was (and is) a walking sponge and although my mother in law takes amazing care of her, I don't think she was getting as much as she could out of just being home all day with my mother in law (and nothing personal to my mother in law...I would have felt the same way if it were me taking care of her all day at home). She has learned so much since she started school and become so much more social and more mature. I feel like it's been a great stepping stone to do this instead of having her go straight from being home alone with her caretaker all day to all of a sudden being thrown into pre-k 4 or kindergarten. I like the fact that I only have her there part time (the school is in session Monday through Friday from around 8 a.m. till 2:45 p.m., so Emma's hours are shortened because it's what I prefer right now...you could put your kids for longer amounts of time). It's a really short morning of fun and learning for her and then she gets to go home with my mother in law to still be babied a little bit (nap in her own bed, eat lunch in her own house, play alone with her own toys for a little while, etc.) The school is more affordable than a lot of traditional pre-schools or daycares because of the fact that it's within a public high school and the high school subsidizes a lot of the costs. Anyway, if you think you would be interested in something like that, just let me know through fb and I will give you more info and/or get you in touch with my mom so that you can check it out!

southmiamiwifejen

Forgot to add that my mom's program has a toddler room and a pre-school room. She takes kids in the toddler room as young as 18 months (actually, a couple are even a little bit younger but my mom made exceptions because they are younger siblings of other kids in the program) and then they get moved to the pre-school room around the time they turn three or basically whenever my mom and her teacher aides feel they're ready (they have to be potty trained to be in the pre-school room).

MrsJOSEnADRI

I did Gymboree and it was nice, but I stopped going because I found it a bit expensive for what it is.  Like the music class that Jen mentioned, the classes get repetetive after a while and Elise just wants to do her own thing right now.  I also found that their schedule of classes conflicted with either her naptimes or lunchtimew.

I'm most likely going to wait until she's 3 (almost 4 bc of her October bday) to put her in preK3 at my school.  I already put her on the waiting list.  Depending on the school you want them to attend, you might be able to get them in early so they have a guaranteed spot for elementary (i.e. private or charter schools).  

For now, I just have our own routine of activities that we do at home and just repeat them often.  But, most of my teacher friends are like that, too, it's just a habit from doing it all day at work.  

MrsJOSEnADRI

BTW, the Children's Creative learning Center at FIU has a great program, too.  I worked there during undergrad.  Most programs teach the curriculum in the morning, then have lunch, naptime, and aftercare.  So, I would probably do half-day preschool if I have to put Elise in school before PK3.

cocojack10

SouthMiamiWifeJen:

We're starting our 3rd semester of the UM MusicTime program this Saturday. We love it! I feel that Emma gets a lot from it and it's just nice to have that regularly scheduled block of time where we get out of the house as a family and do something fun and educational together. The only thing that I don't like about it is that most of the "levels" require you to do 4 semesters of that level before moving up (unless the child is a certain age) and it gets kind of old doing essentially the same curriculum over and over again. I'm going to see if the teacher will let Emma skip the 4th semester of her current level and go to the next level for the fall. If she says no, I'll probably take some time off and do something like Gymboree in the meantime until she's a little older and will qualify for the next level of MusicTime regardless.

I just looked into this yesterday, and noticed the boys just barely qualify for the same class this week.  Dh and I both agree they may be too young for that class right now, so we are going to wait until next semester.  I also noticed the same thing about the same curriculum over and over again which is another reason to wait.  I wonder if there are similar programs out there?

SouthMiamiWifeJen:

As for school, we started Emma in "school" in August (she was 20 months old at the time). She goes Monday through Thursday from around 8:45 or so until 11 a.m. We have her at the Little Caveliers program in Coral Gables Senior High. My mom founded the program over 25 years ago and still runs it. Basically, my mom is a teacher for the high school students...she teaches Early Childhood Education. As part of the class, they run a laboratory pre-school that the little kids attend and the high school students get to interact with the kids as part of my mom's class. My mom oversees everything and also has various teacher aides who are overseeing everything all the time. So the high school students are never alone with the kids. But they are always around to play with, interact with, and "teach" the kids. If the high school students take all 4 levels of my mom's class, they can be certified to work at licensed day cares or pre-schools without doing any additional hours of training. I know it's a super personal thing and some people might not be comfortable with the thought of a bunch of teenagers being around their kids all day. I know I'm biased because it's my mom's program and I grew up with it, but I personally think it's great. The kids get so much more one-on-one interaction than they would at a traditional day care or pre-school, and the high school students who choose to take my mom's class (it's an elective, obviously) are all incredibly nurturing and caring with the kids. Again, I know I'm biased, but for me it's been a GREAT experience so far and I know that many of the parents who put their kids there feel the same.

I put Emma in school for the same reason you described - I felt like she was (and is) a walking sponge and although my mother in law takes amazing care of her, I don't think she was getting as much as she could out of just being home all day with my mother in law (and nothing personal to my mother in law...I would have felt the same way if it were me taking care of her all day at home). She has learned so much since she started school and become so much more social and more mature. I feel like it's been a great stepping stone to do this instead of having her go straight from being home alone with her caretaker all day to all of a sudden being thrown into pre-k 4 or kindergarten. I like the fact that I only have her there part time (the school is in session Monday through Friday from around 8 a.m. till 2:45 p.m., so Emma's hours are shortened because it's what I prefer right now...you could put your kids for longer amounts of time). It's a really short morning of fun and learning for her and then she gets to go home with my mother in law to still be babied a little bit (nap in her own bed, eat lunch in her own house, play alone with her own toys for a little while, etc.) The school is more affordable than a lot of traditional pre-schools or daycares because of the fact that it's within a public high school and the high school subsidizes a lot of the costs. Anyway, if you think you would be interested in something like that, just let me know through fb and I will give you more info and/or get you in touch with my mom so that you can check it out!

I love this idea!  Sounds very interesting, and if we decide to go with school route, I'll def look into it, but wouldn't be until Aug probably, especially since boys are 15 mo (tomorrow). 

Question though - I'm assuming the program is in English, right?  Dh and I are making a lot of effort to speak to boys only in Spanish right now, as they are going to learn English in school so ideally if we go with the school route, I'd like to find a program in Spanish (I know, very hard request).

cocojack10

MrsJOSEnADRI:

I did Gymboree and it was nice, but I stopped going because I found it a bit expensive for what it is.  Like the music class that Jen mentioned, the classes get repetetive after a while and Elise just wants to do her own thing right now.  I also found that their schedule of classes conflicted with either her naptimes or lunchtimew.

I've really wanted to try Gymboree but can't fathom spending so much money (remember, I have 2 tuitions) for not very much.  I too think it is a bit expensive.  I've actually signed up for their free class to check them out a couple of times, but we always end up having to cancel bc of another engagement.

Kidville is very close to the house too, but they are in the same price range as Gymboree.

The FIU program sounds great too, thanks for the info.  However, it is a bit out of the way for us. We are right next to Dadeland mall, and both work right off the Palmetto.

southmiamiwifejen

Jackie, for the MusicTime, we started Emma when she was about 2 months younger than whatever the age for her level is. The teacher was okay with it. Regardless though I think all the classes are probably full for this semester, but if you wait till the fall then for sure they will be the right age.

As for my mom's school, yes it's all English. I mean my mom and all the teacher aides speak Spanish, as do several of the high school students, so if the child speaks to them in Spanish, they can respond in Spanish. But the curriculum is all English. Anyway, you are totally right to have that concern - sadly I've noticed that Emma has already lost a lot of her Spanish since starting at school When she was with my MIL all day my MIL would speak to her exclusively in Spanish and her Spanish and English were more or less equal, but ever since starting school it's totally uneven...she speaks almost exclusively English with a few words in Spanish here and there. It's probably a lot of our fault too because Gaby and I haven't been great about making an effort to speak only Spanish to her. I hope you do find a program in Spanish because that would be great! Like you said, it's inevitable that it will happen when they start real pre-school and kindergarten, but might as well put it off as long as possible.

cocojack10

We see it daily with our niece and nephew.  They barely understand Spanish, let along speak it.  Now they are getting a bit better, but bc the nanny only speaks Spanish and they are with her in the afternoons, sometimes.  But we know BIL/SIL didn't make an effort to speak to them in Spanish either.

Right now, the boys are submerged in Spanish bc they are with MIL and nanny while we are working, and we only speak to the in Spanish (except for a few words that are easier in English for them ie, ball).

I guess the hunt continues.

MrsLeanna

I started Alexis at the parenting place at Nova when she was about a year old, I know that's far for you though. But, those kinds of classes are great, I had her in a music class and an activity type class. I think it was good for her to be around other kids and learning how to follow directions and share, etc.

I started her in "school" at 2.5 part time, it was a montessori program and I didn't like it at all. I liked that she was in school and she did really well, but that was not the right kind of program for her. Now she's at a reggio emilia program which works great for her and I love it! She gets so much out of it and I'm so glad I put her in school. 

Albah

We have Little E in a preschool right now and I think it has been wonderful for him. We really haven't been able to sign him up for any other "classes" because the preschool is expensive enough! The 1 year old class speaks purely Spanish to him which is exactly what we wanted! Once he starts the "2 year old class" though they start to speak more English. We plan on moving him to Big E's school once he turns 3. 

 Big E didn't go to school until he started PK3 this August. We started with summer camp in June half a day for 1 month then started full time school in August from 7:40am to 2:50pm. Despite being the youngest in his class and knowing no English, he did perfectly fine and within 5 months of starting he is speaking English fluently.  We spoke purely Spanish to him prior to that and we still try even though he likes to practice his English with us. 

With that said, I don't think that starting preschool at this age is a "must" but it sure does not hurt! If you want the details of where we send Little E, let me know!  

VandRicky

ok, I am going to be the odd man out here but they don't "need" school to learn and mosdt certainly do not need a curriculum at home or whatever. Spend time with them, READ READ READ READ READ and TALK TALK TALK TALK TALK that is the best "curriculum" you can give them. Our area has a bunch of free story time, arts and crafts time, puppet shows and stuff like that at our local libraries. My favorite class we took was at the little Gym because Sebastian was such a physical kid. Nate never took one single class, and he is my smartest kid (is that bad to say?).

 

MrsJOSEnADRI

I agree with Virginia.  Kids don't really need a curriculum at this age.  They just need role models who foster a love of learning and reading at home.  I had kindergarteners who were with abuela until they started school and they did just as well as kids that went to preschool if their abuelas and parents took the time to read and write with them.  My sole reason for looking into PreK programs is to have a plan b if my mom cant take care of Elise, especially when baby #2 comes around.  I'd be okay with her staying with my mom as long as possible.  I liked Gymboree when Elise was a few months old because I learned different ways to stimulate her senses, but once she became mobile she wasnt interested in what the teacher was doing anymore.  so, I just try to expose her to different experiences at home and different forms of play-painting, playing instruments, playing outside, pretend play, etc. -anyway, most preschool curriculumms just teach letters, numbers, shapes, colors, and then maybe some basic science and social studies concepts like plants, animals, and community. It all depends on the school, too.  Some preK 4 programs can be kind of intense if theyre in a public or charter school that focuses on preparing kids for FCAT!  Ive seen kinder level materials used in some preKs and gigantic hw packets at that level! 

Albah

I completely agree with you Virginia, you're not odd at all.  

For us, like Adri mentions in her post, the reason why Little E even goes to preschool is because of "daycare" arrangements. It was just too much for my mom to handle. She was physically exhausted with the 2 boys at home. And even when Big E started school, I felt my mom needed to take care of herself more, so we decided to send Little E to school as well. She now picks them up from school if I'm still at work and it's worked out great for us.  Otherwise, he would still be with grandma at home in a nice nurturing, learning, and sick-free environment!  

MrsLeanna

I think it depends on the kid. I really think Alexis NEEDED it. She needed to be around other kids and needed the structure that a school environment provided. Even with all the classes I took her to, it was very different once she started school. She definitely needed it. She's a very smart kid and is pretty advanced (not just me saying it, it's coming from her teachers) and I think having her in a school environment helped her in ways that I just couldn't do anymore. I think she would have been fine if I hadn't put her in school, but I think she has benefitted so much from it and I'm so glad we made the decision.

We'll see what happens with Brooke and I'll decide once she gets to be that age, because I do think that all kids are different and Brooke may be more of an introverted kid and be just fine with me until she's older. I don't think there's a one size fits all solution.  

britishbride05

VandRicky:

ok, I am going to be the odd man out here but they don't "need" school to learn and mosdt certainly do not need a curriculum at home or whatever. Spend time with them, READ READ READ READ READ and TALK TALK TALK TALK TALK that is the best "curriculum" you can give them. Our area has a bunch of free story time, arts and crafts time, puppet shows and stuff like that at our local libraries. My favorite class we took was at the little Gym because Sebastian was such a physical kid. Nate never took one single class, and he is my smartest kid (is that bad to say?).

 

 

this! 

cocojack10

VandRicky:

ok, I am going to be the odd man out here but they don't "need" school to learn and mosdt certainly do not need a curriculum at home or whatever. Spend time with them, READ READ READ READ READ and TALK TALK TALK TALK TALK that is the best "curriculum" you can give them. Our area has a bunch of free story time, arts and crafts time, puppet shows and stuff like that at our local libraries. My favorite class we took was at the little Gym because Sebastian was such a physical kid. Nate never took one single class, and he is my smartest kid (is that bad to say?).

V, you are right, and we do this all day long.  By the time nightime falls, I'm out of breath bc I'm talking to them so much.  I'm always explaining to them what we are doing, what each toy is and does.  I'm constantly asking about animal sounds and where each body part is, or what a certain item is called.  I suppose I implemented my own "school" at home w/out even realizing it.  LOL 

However, about the reading... I'd love to read to them more, but it seems they want to attack the book constantly and change pages, and don't appear to be too into the book.  They do like to see the pictures.  They have smaller board books they play with and like to "touch" (has different items to touch).  When they were younger, they were more into me reading.  What do you guys do about reading?

MrsJOSEnADRI

cocojack10:

VandRicky:

ok, I am going to be the odd man out here but they don't "need" school to learn and mosdt certainly do not need a curriculum at home or whatever. Spend time with them, READ READ READ READ READ and TALK TALK TALK TALK TALK that is the best "curriculum" you can give them. Our area has a bunch of free story time, arts and crafts time, puppet shows and stuff like that at our local libraries. My favorite class we took was at the little Gym because Sebastian was such a physical kid. Nate never took one single class, and he is my smartest kid (is that bad to say?).

V, you are right, and we do this all day long.  By the time nightime falls, I'm out of breath bc I'm talking to them so much.  I'm always explaining to them what we are doing, what each toy is and does.  I'm constantly asking about animal sounds and where each body part is, or what a certain item is called.  I suppose I implemented my own "school" at home w/out even realizing it.  LOL 

However, about the reading... I'd love to read to them more, but it seems they want to attack the book constantly and change pages, and don't appear to be too into the book.  They do like to see the pictures.  They have smaller board books they play with and like to "touch" (has different items to touch).  When they were younger, they were more into mereading.  What do you guys do about reading?

As for reading, I made it a part of every naptime and bedtime routine.  I have always read several books to hear in the glider and then put her down to sleep. Then, I have board books and the Baby Einstein Alphabooks in her play area.  She's been "reading" her Alphabooks since she was 6 months old and she still loves them.  A few months ago, I put more board books in the different areas she hangs out in around the house that way a book is always an option.  The nicer books are kept on the shelves in her room.  So, those I only read to her so she won't break them.  But, she's pretty good about turning the pages without damaging them.  I also take her to the Barnes and Noble a couple of times a month and just let her explore in the kids' area.  Oh, and I've always taken abook with us on long car rides, vacations, and even shopping sometimes.   I give her magazines after I've read them and she loves them, too.  She even brings me books now to read to her when we're playing in the family room.  She also has a cloth book attached to her stroller. 

 We basically have books everywhere and read constantly!

 BTW, I started reading to her more frequently around 5 months old.  Her attention span was really short, so I got books with one sentence or so on each page (or I would just sum up the page in one sentence) and books that were interactive (flaps and textures).  The first book she really loved was Friendship Bear by Romero Britto.  She loves it and basically it was the only one I read to her over and over for the first few months.  Then, I started reading 2 at a time before bed/nap, then 3, etc., and now she cant get enough!  

HTH! 

MrsJOSEnADRI

Also, Tomie de Paola has a first Mother Goose book with nursery rhymes that's great for toddlers and preschoolers.  Nursery rhymes are really important for developing phonemic awareness (sorry teacher side coming out).  We speak and read to her in both English and Spanish, though.  And, although I know they're a little young for TV, I do let her watch Superwhy! on channel 2 or 17.  It is a great children's show and one of the best I've seen with regards to how they address all the components of reading.  She loves it!

cocojack10

The boys love books, especially Alex.  They bring them to me and nanny to read as well, but basically just want to flip pages more than anything.  Since they don't give me the time to "read" I make up stories in a sentance or two as well.  I also have 2 small board books for outings, as they find them entertaining.

MrsJOSEnADRI

cocojack10:

The boys love books, especially Alex.  They bring them to me and nanny to read as well, but basically just want to flip pages more than anything.  Since they don't give me the time to "read" I make up stories in a sentance or two as well.  I also have 2 small board books for outings, as they find them entertaining.

 

That sounds great!  She went through a phase, too, in which she just wanted to turn the pages really quickly.  But, just keep reading to them and they'll develop a love for reading or at least value it.  As they get older, taking them to the library and letting them choose books helps, too. 

vane21

The Little Cavaliers Program sounds fantastic!!! Where can I get more information? Thank you so much!