Mommy the Teacher

I think I’ve figured out where to start with Amani’s at home lessons. She sometimes recognizes her letters but I’d like for her to easily recognize each and every letter as well as each and every letter sound. As I mentioned before, I will be using teachmama.com and I just noticed that the grade level for Amani’s abcmouse.com is set to pre-kindergarten and I’m gonna bump it up to first grade level. In regards to ABC recognition, I am going to use the ABC Homemade Alphabet Book. I love the idea because to me, it conquers two different school subjects: reading and arts &crafts.They are books that have a page for each letter of the alphabet: one page with the uppercase and lowercase letter and the facing page with child-chosen pictures, drawings, photographs of images that begin with that letter. Amani will be learning her letters while at the same time independently choosing pictures to go into HER book. I believe that she will be more into it because she takes the lead on this project.There’s also a great way to help her with recognizing her name.Another game I want to do with her is the family playing cards. It’s an excellent way to have her practice her tripod grip. I have decided to maybe start teaching Amani American Sign Language. According to this article that I read on education.com

Laura Berg, a certified teacher and founder of My Smart Hands–an agency that offers information and sign language classes for hearing toddlers and parents–explains that sign language helps to bridge the two hemispheres of the brain. This gives children two ways to access a word and its meaning.

Now, I don’t much about ASL except the alphabet and I have been thinking about learning sign language for myself for awhile. Teaching Amani ASL will help with her vocabulary skills and provide a bonding experience for her and I. It may even give her the advantage in school that I would like her to have. However, I will not get into that until after she has a decent handle on basic stuff. As far as Math goes, it’s always been my worst enemy, but I think I can handle first grade Math. She can count from one to ten with ease but sometimes has trouble recognizing how they look and any number with the word ‘teen’ at the end of it is also hard for her. I want to start her off slow with that and we can practice with a simple worksheet.Once she’s mastered it, then I’ll incorporate some games to keep her focused.

I still don’t have a scheduled time for learning time but I’m going to implement one and stick to it as best I can. I wanted to include structured lessons, games, and free play. I’m going to set up a writing center for her and even a wall for her drawings/ paintings.She’s also talented so maybe I’ll even host a talent show for her a few times and have our family be her audience. I can’t wait to start because I can also flex my own creative muscles of which I have many of.Her learning activities will extend beyond home too. I encourage all of you to consider your own child’s futures and get involved with their education before they even hit the school house.They will appreciate it and they’ll appreciate you for doing it for them.

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