It's a Wonderful Thing...

...to be three years old when your curriculum box arrives in the mail!

As I've pondered each child the past few weeks and begun to design programs of studies tailored especially to each of them, Katie has been my easiest to plan.  This child just plain exudes joy.  Everything is happy!

In so many ways, she reminds me of her "biggest brother."  I have a picture of Michael when he was her age posted just above my computer monitor. He is covered in fingerpaint, with his arms spread wide and his smile spread wider.

It serves two purposes:  to remind me to back away from the computer and to remind me of a time when I wholeheartedly encouraged giant messes of creativity. This is my blond-haired, blue-eyed golden boy's last year at home.  We've begun the process of finding a college and I think I can safely claim to have some perspective on home education. That perspective certainly colors plans for everyone else.

I don't want to push the stages of development, nor do I want to fold one stage into another without stopping to really notice and savor it. One thing I find is that the younger children in a large family tend to get folded into the school-aged crowd. The veterans tout all the benefits of "trickle down" and advise that we teach to the oldest when we take the whole family as a group.  If we are not careful, they miss all those wonderful early childhood treasures that we cultivated so happily for our first children.  I am determined not to let that happen, if for no other reason than I LOVE early childhood and all the good things it holds.

Mounted with the picture, just above my computer monitor, is this poem, taken from the Five in a Row website years ago.

If I had my child to raise all over again,

I’d finger-paint more, and point the finger less.

I would do less correcting and more connecting.

I’d take my eyes off my watch, and watch with my eyes.

I would care to know less, and know to care more.

I’d take more hikes and fly more kites.

I’d stop playing serious, and seriously play.

I would run through more fields and gaze at more stars.

I’d do more hugging and less tugging.

I’d build self-esteem first, and the new house later.

I would be firm less often, and affirm much more.

I’d teach less about the love of power, and more about the power of love.

For the most part, I lived that philosophy with Michael and I have few regrets. So, with the poem and the picture as my inspiration, finger paint became the focus of Katie’s “official pre-school,” at least metaphorically.  And how silly is this notion of "preschool" when you know there is no school at all planned after a “preschool” that isn’t even school itself?? Ah, but  I digress.

Finger paint really is a glorious medium! We’ll unpack the rest of the box tomorrow.

Comments

[Karen E.]

What a delightful post! I've often had the same thought ... it's so easy to let time slip by when you're focused on the oldest and on trickle-down ...I've been more aware of it, too, going into the coming year with my Ramona. Here's to lots of fingerpaint! :-)

[Christine]

Thank you for sharing Elizabeth. I needed to read this post. My younger children have been on my mind a lot lately.

[Jenn Miller]

Thanks for the beautiful reminders! I just made handprints yesterday and thought about this very thing...we don't do too much hands on art. I get bogged down on serious aspects of life that we forget to have fun together!

[Kim]

Katie has that same oh-I-am-going-to-explode-if-I-don't-make-something-right-NOW look I get when my scrap mag comes in the mail lol!

And you know my thoughts on preschool. I still think we can almost go that whole advice backwards.Start with the little ones and add layers as we go for olders. I figure if *I* am still learning everyone else can too.

[Kelli]

I'd love to know where you ordered that big box of goodies. My son would love something like that!

[Theresa]

My little one has been my focus recently as well. I really hope I can keep that focus on her as the year progresses. I really want to be able to enjoy her kindergarten year.Thanks for the reminder to keep it light and fun!

[Genevieve]

This post really spoke to me. Thank you for reminding us how important it is to enjoy childhood and to have fun!

[Ebeth]

Kelli,
That box came from Lakeshore Learning. If you click on the "fingerpaint" link in the post entitled "The Art Box" it will take you there and you can click to your heart's content and fill a box of your own!

[Rebecca]

Elizabeth, She looks so happy! I bet it was so worth it just to see the look on her face!

[Shawn]

Ditto of all of the others! My 4 yo DD says she wants school and instead of planning a curriculum, I want her to have the same joyous exploration as your son. Thanks for sharing!

[TOSPUBLISHER]

How fun! Good reminder!

-gena
www.TheHomeschoolMagazine.com

[Loni]

Such a good reminder to us HS moms as we begin another year of homeschooling. I've read that poem before, and I think I will post it up somewhere too as a reminder.

This was an inspiring post.

THANK YOU!

[Denise in Ohio]

Does fingerpainting with Breyer's Creme Saver yogurts count? :) Mark (our 3 yo) seems to prefer this medium!

Blessings!
Denise

[Tosha Schiffli]

Where did you get your "curriculum box" for your daughter? It looks awesome!!!