Prek 4 week 1

Our first full week of Pre-k 4 was great! I had a lot of fun working with Oliver and he had a lot of fun doing his school time. Some things I learned:

1. It's important to really sit and have one on one time with Oliver while we are doing his different activities (especially writing, or new challenges to him).
2. Lot's and lot's of praise goes a long way in encouraging him to continue and push him a little when he wants to give up.
3. Having activities ready for Aleksandr to play with is a must. 
4. Also including Aleksandr where I can is helpful too (paint dots for him while Oliver is coloring patterns).
5. Preparing a bit the night before so that the flow of our work time is smooth.
6. Breaking up sitting work time with lots of exercise related activities (singing and moving, marching, going on a bear hunt together, or rather alligator hunt etc.)
7. Prayer. Lot's of prayer for help, passion, love, compassion, guidance, discipline and fun!!

My husband is such an encouragement to me and I love sharing my heart with him, as well as areas that I just am not disciplined in. Teaching is certainly an area I feel inadequate in, as it's not my background. But I know the Lord has called me here to this place, at this moment and until He shows us otherwise I will continue to do the best I can in homeschooling. I am thankful so much for my husband's insight and wisdom and I encourage other mom's to seek out the council of your spouse, as well as prayer with the One Who made those sweet kiddos you are training. I think I often will let Oliver give up or quit on something when just a little bit of encouragement and a lot of praise when he finishes goes sooo far. I learned this after talking with my husband one night about quitting, or giving up easily. This very thing came into play when Oliver worked on some patterns. They were tough for him (some may have been too hard for him at this point), but I stayed right with him and encouraged him to keep going and he was so proud of himself when he finished them. Seeing that little smile of accomplishment will teach him much as he continues to grow and learn. Hard work is worth the effort for all it teaches you!
Here is Oliver working on some train themed patterns.