Language and Thinking for Young Children

Rating:
Summary: Not the Best Resource
Review: I gave this book 3 stars because it is average. It isn't a rotten resource, but it isn't one of the best I've seen either.

I suppose if you aren't planning on homeschooling and are looking for ideas on how to help get your pre-schooler ready to learn in school and want to maximize what little time you may be able to spend with your child, this book would be good for you. If you homeschool, you may find this book a ho-hum resource.

It is redundant considering what we have already been learning as part of a well-rounded curriculum in our homeschool. The book suggests things most homeschool families already do-- they already read stories together, try to memorize worthwhile poems, talk WITH children (not AT), cook together, shop together, look for opportunities to learn together, etc.

The activities this book suggests that WOULDN'T be routine family activities for a homeschool family WOULD be covered in homeschool/preschool during readiness games, lessons and workbooks, pre-school math, etc. They would also be more thoroughly done in that medium, with less work on behalf of the parent-teacher.

One last note: I found the stories at the beginning a little too rough to share with my pre-schooler. I feel some fables/stories will never be worthwhile to share with that age, no matter how long they have been around. (How do you read a story ending with most of the characters having their head snapped off by a fox to a 3.5 year old? I know I don't want to be up with a child having nightmares, and don't want to see the child acting it out in make believe play, so why bother with those things when there are so many other wonderful stories available?)

I will be returning this book, knowing I'm not going to take the time to dig it out and flip through it for the handful of ideas that may be useful to our homeschool.

I think for people who are just making the switch to homeschooling or want ideas for things to do with their young children, this book will do just fine. For people who are looking for a real curriculum (as this book claims to be for the younger set), remember you get what you pay for, and 8$ for a year's curriculum probably will not be what you are hoping it will be. You will find a better bang for your buck with other sources.

Rating:
Summary: language, thinking and more for everyone
Review: This manual can be used for the entire family. The author's give real-life examples and, thus, make learning fun. For example, when one is introducing someone, my children dressed as an older person, a dad and mother. They would then practice introducing several people in orderof importance. I.E. older people first, ladies and then men. The author's suggested doing this as a way to add fun to the practice. A second example, is practicing prepositions. In this activity, the author suggested making a circle on the floor with a jumping rope. Then using commands with prepositions. For example, I told my children to put their hand in the rope. Other activities include reading classic fables, which are included in the book, vocabulary and thinking skills, language games, memorizing, learning about telephones, enjoying poetry and learning on trips. My children, ages, 3, 7 and 8 have enjoyed this book.