Okay, so I have a three year old...

[heart_changed99]

Well, so he isn't three yet, but he is turning three in four months and I'm wanting to Homeschool him. But I am already getting pretty discouraged as its hard to keep his attention. I've already taken steps to teach him ABC's and the like. He knows his ABC's and can count to at least 15, but can he recognize them? No. I've tried giving him pages of individual letters/numbers to color and such. Some he knows more than others, but I figure its just guessing. He knows his shapes and all of his colors. There was a book I was interested in a while back that someone on here mentioned called, "Before five in a row" or something like that.

Mother's can you tell me your experiences with that book or a book that you would also recommend? We've been working on the ABC's, numbers,and such for the past year and he has made great progress that I have seen, its just keeping his attention. He is very strong-willed and demanding and I fear I might have to call in an expert to teach me how to contain my son during learning hours. We've tried many things to keep him interested. He's just got a short attention span like most toddlers, I guess.

[topekaclark]

There is alot of homeschool books that will help you in the direction you want to go. Children learn to read at all different ages.

[NewWorldOrder]

Three years old is still very young. If he can count and knows is letters, that's terrific! He WILL recognize what they look like in time. At about four years of age, is when most kids really start to grasp visually. Continue reading to him and using counting books, he will get it.

[Lucy]

He's only 3. From the descriptions you gave, it appears that he is being a boy. Boys need LOTS of outside play time. Does he have a swing, fort, or / and a sandbox? My guys always liked costumes like superman, batman, knights with swords, cowboy stuff. They would play for hours making up stories and acting them out.
Boys learn by exploring, jumping, throwing, kicking and such. Do those things with him and make it fun. You can count, cut out and glue animals in a notebook, write little stories he dictates to you about them, etc. The average boy learns to read by age 7! Have you ever noticed how many female teachers have classrooms full of medicated young boys? It is not natural for them to sit still and quiet in a seat for 8 hours a day. Our boys need to be trained up to be men not effeminate girly men. As mothers/teachers of boys, we have to change the way we approach them if we want well rounded sons.
Boys are lots of fun!

[imfree]

I agree with NWO and Lucy. Very good advice.

My son is now 11 and is reading just fine even though he was a late bloomer.

[heart_changed99]

I understand at this age that I am not to expect much. I am just talking about down the road, when he is a little bit older. I am aware that he will not give me attention for more than 15 minutes, but sometimes I am even lucky to get that. I am worried he is going to be hard to teach, is what I am saying here. Experiences with these types would very much be appreciated.

He's shown that he is a great and quick learner, I'm just feeling overwhelmed at the moment because I just don't feel confident in myself that I will be able to keep his attention in the near future.

I know that he is just a little boy and needs outside time and he definitely gets that. We do not have room for a swing-set, unfortunately, :( so we have to either take him to the park or to friend's house that has one. If I had the money, I would buy him costumes and stuff to play with, but right now we are working with what we got. He takes a big interest in cars, trains, trucks, and things of that nature. He especially loves his toy tractors. I can also see he's going to be a little sports fan as he loves playing ball.

[Lucy]

I understand at this age that I am not to expect much. I am just talking about down the road, when he is a little bit older. I am aware that he will not give me attention for more than 15 minutes, but sometimes I am even lucky to get that. I am worried he is going to be hard to teach, is what I am saying here. Experiences with these types would very much be appreciated.

He's shown that he is a great and quick learner, I'm just feeling overwhelmed at the moment because I just don't feel confident in myself that I will be able to keep his attention in the near future.

I know that he is just a little boy and needs outside time and he definitely gets that. We do not have room for a swing-set, unfortunately, :( so we have to either take him to the park or to friend's house that has one. If I had the money, I would buy him costumes and stuff to play with, but right now we are working with what we got. He takes a big interest in cars, trains, trucks, and things of that nature. He especially loves his toy tractors. I can also see he's going to be a little sports fan as he loves playing ball.

Well, I don't want to beat a dead horse (where is the emoticon for that?) but your son sounds VERY normal! I think the real problem is that YOU are wanting to do something in the future and you are feeling overwhelmed by the myriad of information, methods, suggestions, curriculum...etc.. Is that it?
Time will take care of a lot of those things. Pray and expect that in due time GOD will show you the way and provide opportunities for that development. You can and should enjoy the child. He will only be little once.:hug:hug:hug

[Lucy]

The costumes we got we found at Walmart after Halloween for at least 75% off or at Goodwill. Some of them I made....my girls had REAL wedding gowns from Goodwill that were very beautiful (and VERY inexpensive)..You can ask on Freecycle for stuff...It is out there if you look.
15 minutes of attention from a 3 year old is an eternity. Some people are still nursing at 3..Not me, but just trying to interject some perspective here..lol

[NewWorldOrder]

Well, I don't want to beat a dead horse (where is the emoticon for that?) but your son sounds VERY normal! I think the real problem is that YOU are wanting to do something in the future and you are feeling overwhelmed by the myriad of information, methods, suggestions, curriculum...etc.. Is that it?
Time will take care of a lot of those things. Pray and expect that in due time GOD will show you the way and provide opportunities for that development. You can and should enjoy the child. He will only be little once.:hug:hug:hug

:agree

I take it, he's your first child. The kind of concerns you are having is very common among first time mothers. What Lucy is saying is right. Enjoy your son and have fun watching him discover the world around him. Right now, that's his way of learning, by watching, exploring, listening, and especially by playing. Your job is to guide him, correct him, teach him in the way of the Lord and love him. As he grows and matures, he will become more ready for academic learning. You will also observe as he grows, how best to educate him. There are so many ways of homeschooling, and there is not one best way to do it. Some kids like to sit and read books while others are more antsy and require a more hands on approach. Right now, I suggest that you familiarize yourself on the different methods of homeschooling, then when it is time to officially homeschool him, you'll be prepared. The homeschooling you are doing with him right now, yes you are homeschooling, is early learning.

If you would like some ideas on working with very young children Five in a Row has a very good pre-school guide called Before Five in a Row.

http://www.fiveinarow.com/B4FIVEINAROW.html

[antsinmypants]

Well, if this helps any - just take your time and make sure you are reading and incorporating learning experiences into normal things you do.

For instance counting the colors of the M&Ms, raisins (etc) or cereal you dole out at snack time, and seperating by size. Ask questions and add and subtract small numbers.

Cook/bake - allow questions to be asked and assistance... setting the table (even if just the kiddie table), chores on his level etc.

Devotional time... perhaps "playing" at school for now using chalkboard and felt-Bible stories...

At 3, learning the ABCs and 1-10, their name, parents names, address and phone number is plenty sufficient.

I know in Germany they start Kindergarten at 3 and it runs through age 5, half days. General stuff covered is what you'd do at home to prepare for our American version of K-1st grade.

I know in Kindergarten (age 5) I was expected to read a Little Golden Book by the end of the year, be able to tie my shoes, cut out shapes, know how to spell my name, ABCs, know my numbers up to 50, shapes and colors, my address, parent's names and phone number.


Perhaps a "what every kindergartener should know" book might be in order for now just to find out things that they need to know by age 6?

I'd really just relax for now and take things slow, and whatever he is interested in, offer to study and find out about together. At 3, there are usually a LOT of questions involving "Why" and "how" - if the toddler is talking... some aren't very articulate until closer to 4-5.