Preschool Curriculum when your group isn't ready

[SilverSabre25]

Of my 3 dcks, I have to admit that only one of them *might* be ready for a preschool curriculum. He 3 yr 3 months and has some verbal delays. The other two dcks are 2 yr 4 months and 2.5. They are NOT ready for any kind of "sit down, learn this" kind of thing...even play-based activities don't work because they don't understand how to use the material. THey need to just be playing.

But how do I do a curriculum with materials available to suit an immature 3, an advanced almost 4, and two 2s who have no business getting anywhere near the preschool stuff right now? ARGH.

(FYI, I'm doing a curriculum that is home-grown 'cause I rebel against boxed curricula. It's Montessori-inspired, play-based, child-led sort of thing...but no matter how hard I try the only one "getting" how to use the school materials is my almost-4 yo--the rest take them and wander off and dump them into the play kitchen, the trains, the sling-style bookshelf...)

[CheekyChick]

For your little ones, I would work on their ABC's, colors, shapes, etc. Learning through song also works well for this age group. I know (from experience) that workbooks are a waste of money at this age.

[Squirrel]

I just put out new material and teach the kids how to play with them. I'd redirect and show how to properly use materials if they were constantly using them incorrectly. If they are destroying materials I remove the materials and bring them out in a few days and see if I can get them to use them properly then. If it's a big issue and I want it out for the older ones I set up specific space for it and disallow the younger ones either by gate or just explaining that the area is now only for older kids.

[Blackcat31]

Can I ask you an honest question? Why are you even trying to do a curriculum then? Kids learn just as much, if not more, from playing.

Why can't the kids simply play with you over seeing their activities? I don't mean any disrespect but I sometimes feel as though 'preschool curriculums' and the expectations of them are so completely over rated. Why can't kids just play when they are that young?

These are the years that they need to learn to simply get along, play nicely, learn to share and be social. I think the learning numbers, letters and shapes etc comes developmentally if the environment supports the natural process.

If you have a few younger kids who aren't mature enough for art supplies and activities that are "preschool" related, then don't give it to them. If they want to play with the blocks all day or the trains, let them. Alot can be learned in those areas. I think doing that is more closely related to Montessori style learning. Child led. Age appropriate

I think your dck's are leading you in the direction they want to go.

[SilverSabre25]

Can I ask you an honest question? Why are you even trying to do a curriculum then? Kids learn just as much, if not more, from playing.

Why can't the kids simply play with you over seeing their activities? I don't mean any disrespect but I sometimes feel as though 'preschool curriculums' and the expectations of them are so completely over rated. Why can't kids just play when they are that young?

These are the years that they need to learn to simply get along, play nicely, learn to share and be social. I think the learning numbers, letters and shapes etc comes developmentally if the environment supports the natural process.

If you have a few younger kids who aren't mature enough for art supplies and activities that are "preschool" related, then don't give it to them. If they want to play with the blocks all day or the trains, let them. Alot can be learned in those areas. I think doing that is more closely related to Montessori style learning. Child led. Age appropriate

I think your dck's are leading you in the direction they want to go.

Because the parents expect it.
Because I feel trapped into it...I feel like I HAVE to or I'm going to lose the clients I have.
Because I have a spot I've been trying to fill with an older child for the past year and have lost most of the interviews I've gotten because I don't offer a preschool curriculum. In fact, very few people who ask about it ahead of time even schedule an interview with me.
Because "Just Playing" doesn't sell in my area.
Because my area is completely over-saturated with daycares, both home and center-based.

Believe me, Blackcat, I agree with you whole-heartedly re: those things coming with time, etc. If I wasn't feeling so trapped and panicky I probably wouldn't be worried about it. If I could get my DD (the almost-4-year-old) into a real preschool program, i wouldn't worry about it. If I could turn around tomorrow and switch my program to being 100% infants, I probably would (because that's where the demand is in my area).

[Blackcat31]

Because the parents expect it.
Because I feel trapped into it...I feel like I HAVE to or I'm going to lose the clients I have.
Because I have a spot I've been trying to fill with an older child for the past year and have lost most of the interviews I've gotten because I don't offer a preschool curriculum. In fact, very few people who ask about it ahead of time even schedule an interview with me.
Because "Just Playing" doesn't sell in my area.
Because my area is completely over-saturated with daycares, both home and center-based.

Believe me, Blackcat, I agree with you whole-heartedly re: those things coming with time, etc. If I wasn't feeling so trapped and panicky I probably wouldn't be worried about it. If I could get my DD (the almost-4-year-old) into a real preschool program, i wouldn't worry about it. If I could turn around tomorrow and switch my program to being 100% infants, I probably would (because that's where the demand is in my area).

gotcha. Why not try a curriculum then geared more toward toddlers and young 3's. Carols Affordable Curriculum and Funshine Express both offer a toddler version of their preschool curriculum.

I know I know, you said you hate boxed curriculums, and I wholeheartedly agree, but I think maybe in this case you could order a months worth and then take the routine and general ideas from it and tailor it to your needs (or rather your dck's needs).

Plus, with a boxed curriculum there is so much the kids make and take that the parents feel their kid is getting the whole school experience....ykwim?

[SilverSabre25]

gotcha. Why not try a curriculum then geared more toward toddlers and young 3's. Carols Affordable Curriculum and Funshine Express both offer a toddler version of their preschool curriculum.

I know I know, you said you hate boxed curriculums, and I wholeheartedly agree, but I think maybe in this case you could order a months worth and then take the routine and general ideas from it and tailor it to your needs (or rather your dck's needs).

Plus, with a boxed curriculum there is so much the kids make and take that the parents feel their kid is getting the whole school experience....ykwim?

we-lllll...I guess there is that.... I'll look into Carol's Affordable Curriculum later today. I tried Funshine Buttercups (I think that's the name) last year and despised it. It just seemed too trite and contrived, to me. Not my style. Given that I am looking into Montessori Certification, you might guess where my style lies...

[Cat Herder]

Because the parents expect it.
Because I feel trapped into it...I feel like I HAVE to or I'm going to lose the clients I have.
).

Me, too.

That is why I added Funshine Buttercups. They have something tangible to take home weekly, the parents can view the teachers guides and they can show the projects to Grandparents.

Problem solved for me.

[Blackcat31]

we-lllll...I guess there is that.... I'll look into Carol's Affordable Curriculum later today. I tried Funshine Buttercups (I think that's the name) last year and despised it. It just seemed too trite and contrived, to me. Not my style. Given that I am looking into Montessori Certification, you might guess where my style lies...

If I were in your shoes, I would focus on earning that certificate and then market my business as a Montessori Based Child Care. If you are one of the few who can do this in your area, that might be your money shot. As a parent, that would sell me for sure.

[melskids]

i use a child centered play based curriculum, with a bit of montessori and reggio emilia thrown in. ive notived that with these types of curriculum, you really have to explain alot to parents and show them through documentation. i take ALOT of pictures, and have made portfolios showing how we meet early learning standards through different types of play. i make sure to go over these in detail at the interview.

the parents who "get it", love it...and those who dont, arent a good fit for me anyway.