Zoo-phonics

[BabyMonkeys]

Does anyone have any experience with the zoo-phonics program? It looks like a great program for pre-schoolers, but the website said that it works with younger kids too. I just ordered it for my toddlers, but there is very little info on adapting it for them.

[mamamanda]

I love zoo phonics! My 2 year old knew all of his letters and sounds and really enjoyed the program. The movement keeps the toddlers involved and interested. I don't think you really have to adapt much other than just introducing the letters at a slower pace than you would with preschoolers. I think you will enjoy the program.

[sharlan]

Ask "daycare". I believe that she has taken special classes for it.

[MissAnn]

My favorite!

[Michael]

Zoo Phonics is a great program. You can buy Zoo Phonics from our Products page: http://astore.amazon.com/daycarecom-...g=UTF8&node=93

[midaycare]

I do it. It's okay. I'm not super high on it. The kids enjoy it, but they don't necessarily put it all together. Yes, they know "Allie Alligator goes "Ah, Ah, Ah" and can do the motion, but they don't make the transition to the letter "A". Necessarily. Some do. I have younger ones. We do the motions anyway.

I consider it a parent pleaser.

[MissAnn]

I do it. It's okay. I'm not super high on it. The kids enjoy it, but they don't necessarily put it all together. Yes, they know "Allie Alligator goes "Ah, Ah, Ah" and can do the motion, but they don't make the transition to the letter "A". Necessarily. Some do. I have younger ones. We do the motions anyway.

I consider it a parent pleaser.

My kids have learned to read with it. I do a lot of activities with it though.....I put the cards together to make words.

[midaycare]

My kids have learned to read with it. I do a lot of activities with it though.....I put the cards together to make words.

Like I said, I have younger ones. 1-3 year olds. If ZooPhonics was the only curriculum I did, I would put more into it. I just do the sounds and flashcards. It's still fun.

Some of my kids learn with it, some not so much.

[MissAnn]

Like I said, I have younger ones. 1-3 year olds. If ZooPhonics was the only curriculum I did, I would put more into it. I just do the sounds and flashcards. It's still fun.

Some of my kids learn with it, some not so much.

I think success of a curriculum has to do with the excitement level of the teacher. If you love it.....they will "catch" your enthusiasm. We are all so unique in our personalities and way of teaching. If you find something you bond with....its magic.

[midaycare]

I think success of a curriculum has to do with the excitement level of the teacher. If you love it.....they will "catch" your enthusiasm. We are all so unique in our personalities and way of teaching. If you find something you bond with....its magic.

That's probably a big part of it. I thought Zoophonics was going to be amazing. I was disappointed. I didn't care for the music, I don't like flashcards. My kiddos are too young for the older activities.

[BabyMonkeys]

That's probably a big part of it. I thought Zoophonics was going to be amazing. I was disappointed. I didn't care for the music, I don't like flashcards. My kiddos are too young for the older activities.

That's exactly how I feel at the moment. I think it would be great for older kids, but I'm not seeing how it is going to work for my toddlers. My oldest is 28m and the youngest is 20m. I was hoping that someone would have some ideas to make it more fun for them.

What curriculum do you use for your toddlers?

[Blackcat31]

What curriculum do you use for your toddlers?

Play. Nothing but play.

[midaycare]

That's exactly how I feel at the moment. I think it would be great for older kids, but I'm not seeing how it is going to work for my toddlers. My oldest is 28m and the youngest is 20m. I was hoping that someone would have some ideas to make it more fun for them.

What curriculum do you use for your toddlers?

Mother Goose Time with a big BUT...as BC said, lots of play. I do the curriculum as a fun add-on, rather than the focus of our day. We also do a lot with Spanish, limited Zoophonics, and so.many.crafts.

I change our day about every 6 months, as the kids age and their needs change.

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

I use it. My 2-year-old daughter is here during all 4 of my work days, obviously, and so she knows all of them. My older kids know all of them as well. It's great!

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

Play. Nothing but play.

Same here. My 2's are allowed to participate, if they want to, but more often than not you'll see them playing, coming around for a few minutes during Circle Time, then going back and playing. They're all very smart.