Ideas for 4yr old who is not quite ready for pre-school?

Question

my four year old son was meant to start pre-school this year but i don't think he is ready. he has bad eyes and has only just got glasses, he also has a speech delay and some comprehension troubles. he will be seeing a speech patholigist and be going into a early intervention program to help get him up to speed. most of his troubles are due to his bad eye sight. i want to keep him at home this year and help him be ready for pre-school next year. has anyone got any ideas of what educational things i could do with him at home?

Answer 1

I like the idea of attending a school district preschool.  Children with special needs can attend public schools beginning at three.   I personally think that he will catch up soon enough, but to ensure he does his best he needs some special attention.  A school district class will probably have better funding, more experience teachers with less turnover and a lower teacher:student ratio.  I would not keep him home this year if you can get him into one of these programs.  I personally plan to homeschool my children one day but he has the potential of having some life long learning issues.  Intensive school-based instruction would be helpful. Do not delay.  Getting early help is key!

Answer 2

Here are some ideas for games and activities:

http://www.successful-homeschooling.com/...

I also love the Kumon workbooks that you can buy on Amazon or at just about any bookstore.  Other than that, just read to him, go on outings, take him to the library and the park, etc.

Good luck and enjoy your time together!

Answer 3

Does your school District have an early childhood program? They would offer help in all of the areas you mentioned above plus your child would be developing social skills.

Read to your child and not just books with 5 words on a page, you want to develop his language.

Fill his life with good music. The First Steps in Musc Program has some excellent music. Google West Music to order it. I can also recommend recording by Cathy Fink and Marcy Marxer.

Physical play like climbing on the JUngle Gym to develop large motor skills.

Good Luck

Answer 4

I don't think keeping your son out of preschool is the best idea. Kids go to preschool to get them ready to be in an actual school setting, and there are no skills that are required in order to start preschool.

I actually think that going to preschool would be much better for him because at the very least, he won't be behind the other kids in terms of adapting to a social setting. Try enrolling him in a preschool just a few days a week, and using the other days for speech therapy and an intervention program. Preschool teachers are trained to identify delays and will adapt their lesson plans to make sure all of the children are engaging in all activities.

I have been a preschool teacher for four years and trust me, I have seen kids that have had troubles flourish in a preschool setting. I have also seen kids whose parents don't want to accept that they have learning problems and are therefore holding them back. Your recognition of these problems are the first step, and with the help of teachers and the early intervention programs you have suggested, he has a wonderful advantage.

Answer 5

there is always paint to learn primary colors

song are fun ways to learn

with the alphabet relat to something with every letter

like A-apple B-bat C-cat etc. ect.

and find things he enjoys doing like mabey

playing basket ball

and teach him things like bounce

or ball and ask him what letter it begins with

Answer 6

I have homeschooled for several years now.  

My son had 2 surgeries for hearing loss, I know all too well about the speech pathology and being behind 'his peers'.

Keep it to what you already do.  You have been homeschooling him since 'day one.'

You taught him his first official language, how to walk, how to colour or hold a pair of scissors... colours, letters, numbers, etc.

My recommendation, is that you keep up your good work.  Consider homeschooling, so to speak, this year.  It isn't as 'official' as it sounds, because you have been doing it all along anyhow!

You could also find a homeschooling group, they can be very supportive, especially with children with special needs.  

Are you in USA, Canada?  I am in Canada/Ontario. There are several groups across North America.  Even if you decide to send him to school next year, you will have the support for this year, the increased socialization, the schedule, the friends to lean on when your needing that boost that coffee just doesn't provide!

There are great books as well.  Online resources.  If you can get your hands on used books, etc.  you know, you'll save money.  Resell them when your done, they are a hot ticket item amongst those that home educate (book addicts that we are...)

Kids his age are little sponges, so help him to soak up some books by reading to him.  Do crafts together, go to the local library, I know his eyes are bad, but that he isn't blind.  BUT, maybe you could use this as a place to start learning.  I taught my son about ears, anatomy of an ear, etc. Doctors, devices that assist, etc.  when he was your sons age.  You could show him braille, why people use it, and how.  I taught my son sign language.  He isn't deaf, his ears (praise God) are hearing within normal range right now.  But, when we need to communicate (or just want to) quietly, we can sign to each other.  Turn a negative to a positive.  Kids love to learn!

I would be more than happy to offer my support online to you, if you want to email me.

I have two online stores (I mention that, because then I don't have my email posted here and the people that want to send garbage to me, have to make an effort first!!) When you click on the store, in the CONTACT US at the bottom of either store, you will find my email.  Please, feel free to email me.

Thanks, and best of everything with your son!

Tracy

www.thefrugalshopperstreasuretrove.ecr...

www.homeschoolchristiannewusedbooks.ec...

Answer 7

start teaching him to read... use anything with Hooked on Phonics... it's absolutely wonderful... shame alot of school districts have taken the program out of their curriculums

Answer 8

Fine Motor Skills: playdough, practicing handwriting(Handwriting without Tears has great workbooks), lightbrights, making beaded necklaces, coloring...etc.

Answer 9

I have homeschooled my 2 children from the beginning and I used a web site when they were that age: http://www.letteroftheweek.com/

It has a lot of great things for 3 and 4 year olds.

Answer 10

Music - develops and improves cognitive, responsive and communication skills

Clay work - improves small motor and tactile awareness

Coloring - creates self expression and develops small motor development needed to write

Reading - spend 20 minutes a day minimum reading with him not just too him encourage him to read small words that are 2 and 3 letters by sounding them out.

Counting - any counting and simple logic toys (stacker's and number games) will help immensely in preparing him for kindergarten

You should also take him to the zoo, aquarium and museum as often as possible to help him develop clear speech and concept development (have him draw and make clay images of his favorite parts - practice counting by counting the number of animals, etc) practical application reinforces and makes learning a natural part of life as opposed to a chore for both of you.

Good Luck!

Answer 11

I would also include movement and dance. Balancing, Hopping, Jumping, Skipping, Tumbling, Etc. Song and Dance Routines. I hope that I helped you out a little.

Answer 12

There are a lot of great easy projects to do with your pre-schooler.  I'd advise that you vary the activities to suit his learning style.  He might really enjoy kinesthetic teaching techniques such as making the alphabet letters with his body, or making up a dance to go along with a book or play.  Also, you might do rhythmic things clapping along to the alphabet, counting) mixed in with songs.  It can be very effective.  If you get tired of reading the same books, you can get read-along cassettes to play for him. Your local library has all kinds of resources both for you and your son.   I agree that having interaction with other kids is a great idea.  If you're at home during the day, you might be able to take him to part time pre-school, so he could work into it gradually.  Good Luck!

Answer 13

Put him in PreSchool, as he can always "repeat" next year if necessary

Answer 14

Those other ideas are right on.  Also don't forget to have other children over to play with him on a regular basis.  Children learn from each other at least as much as they learn from adults.  If there is a toy or game he doesn't understand and he can watch a friend do it correctly, that will often get the message home better and faster than instruction can.

Answer 15

OK, you need to listen to me. I was born with congenital nystagmus, I am blind in the left eye and I have extremely poor vision in the right, and when I was that age I was lucky that I could see two feet in front of me. The worst thing, ironically, that my parents did for me was to keep me away from social situations until I started public school. I was so completely incapable of dealing with my disbility that I regressed in behavior and did not catch up socially and emotionally until high school.

I know you are scared for your child, I cannot imagine what it must be like for you, but from the perspective of that child all grown up, please give preschool a chance for him. I  myself am a preschool teacher, and I have been educated in the process of early intervention and integration, and this year alone I have seen the wonders of a child who just learned how to walk who has no communication skills that an average person could understand develop by leaps and bounds just by being integrated into an environment where he is "forced" to catch up. I know that sounds harsh, but it really isn't. We do not force him to partake in any activity he does not wish to, and we do not force any type of socialization on him period. We do encourage him, observe him, let the other children interact with him, and let him get accustomed to being around other kids so he can ain the self help, socioemotional, and developmental skills he will need for the rest of his life.

It is proven that integration works, but for every child it is different. You know you rchild best, but don't let your personal fears control the great opportunities for growth he can have in a classroom full of abled children. Take this kid in my room, when he first came to me he could barely walk on his own at the age of three, and he could not a\talk. Now he is running around the room, conversing and actually playing with other children, and audibly and understandably says, "Goodbye Miss Jessie" at the end of every day. Give it a chance, the worst that could happen is that it doesn't work, and the best is that your child learns to adapt to his disabilities naturally and without being rushed, like he would in a public school environment. And as for the early intervention, I am so proud of you for taking that step, because that can be the hardest. You go Mom!