Discussion forum: Curriculum

Hello, Anyone out there have good suggestions for teaching 3 year olds? I have two older children and our 3 year old basically just listsens to what we do. I began to work through a very basic writing book with her, but she’s lost interest and I find myself glad to have the time to spend with the older ones. Sometimes we just read books, but I’ve found that the books at the Library for 3 year olds are basically empty of quality learning…any ideas?

My boys are practically 4 years apart. While I was busy tutoring my oldest the youngest was busy getting into everything and anything not good for him. I tried many, many things to keep him busy so my oldest and I could get on with learning. The first place to start is to confine said child. The high chair or the play pen was in constant use. While there, the child had plenty of crayons and plain paper to draw on. If in the play pen I had tons of educational TV or movies playing. There were also big Duplo blocks, Rescue Heroes, and such in the playpen. If that gets boring, give her her own “school” supplies and books and let her sit at the table with you. Wherever the youngest was, I also made sure we were in the same room. Interestingly enough, by the time he was 5 he was more than ready for school because he had heard everything I taught his brother. Hope that helps!

Rachel,
Here are some things I’ve done with my THEN 3 yr old while teaching the older ones.

Kumon books! They are fabulous! they have mazes, crafts, letter, numbers etc. Tons of little books to work on so they are doing “school”.

I have different containers filled with separate activities pulled out only for ‘school’.

- A box full of tanagrams.
- Foam blocks
- Play money
- Velvet Art
- Flashcards
- Legos or megablox
- “Sandbox” – a large underbed container filled with “moonsand” on top of a cheap, plastic, table cover.
- Same thing with rice (it’s so great)

I’m sure I’ll think of more. I also have a little DVD player that they get to watch something on.

Room time is fabulous when you need some uninterrupted time to focus on an older student.

Waving HI Rachel and Tad!!!