Hello parents,
Are you thinking of engaging in home learning activities with your little one, but you're unsure how to? If you're reading this post, then this sharing is specially written for you.
I have been engaging in home-learning activities with my boys since 2018 and have been sharing our home-learning journey and activities on our Instagram, Ourjoyoflearning ever since. Initially, it was intended to document the learning activities we were doing.
Now, I aspire to use my platform to inspire more parents to try home learning with their children and provide assistance to parents who are clueless about home learning!
OUR JOY OF LEARNING aims to assist parents who are keen to create fun and engaging learning activities for their children at home. The purpose of home learning for me is:
I understand my child the best, allowing me to create engaging resources that are suitable for them.
Home learning serves as a bonding time with them.
I believe that the joy of learning entails my children actively participating in hands-on and inquiry-based learning, which equips them with essential skills in reading and writing.
I will categorise this sharing based on age groups. You can also watch my sharing here!
What kind of home learning activities for children from the ages of 2-3 years old?
During the ages of 2-3 years old, children are in a crucial stage of development and are eager to explore and learn about the world around them. Here are some areas of focus when it comes to teaching and supporting their growth.
Bookish Play
When my boys were younger, I took pleasure in curating activities that were related to books, such as art and craft projects, sensory activities, do-a-dot activities, and even play dough activities. Some educators called it bookish play and it refers to engaging in activities that involve books, storytelling, and literacy-related experiences
Here are some examples to share with you!
Our books-related favorite authors ! They are still our favourite!
1) Eric Carle:
The Very Hungry Caterpillar and Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?
2) Mem Fox:
Where Is the Green Sheep?
3) Michael Rosen:
We are going on a bear hunt."
4) Helen Oxenbury:
Ten little fingers and ten little toes
5) David McKee :
Elmer series of books.
Sensory-related books activity
Offer your child spoons and ladles to practice scooping, as this will aid in the development of their fine motor skills.
Nursery rhymes related activities
Basic concepts - Colours, shapes, numbers and letters
Introduce basic concepts like colours, shapes, numbers, and letters through playful activities, books, and everyday experiences.
Other activities for 2-3 years old children include,
Engaging them in activities that promote both gross and fine motor skills, such as running, jumping, climbing, and playing with manipulative toys. Encourage scribbling, drawing, and playing with puzzles or stacking blocks or playdough to refine fine motor skills.
For 2-3 years old, do not engage them in any writing activities yet. It is the age when fine motor skills should be encouraged.
What kind of home learning activities are for children from the ages of 3-4 years old?
It is beneficial to introduce Phonics, beginning sounds, and letter recognition to children aged 3-4 years old, and encourage them to engage in reading and book-related activities for further learning and play.
In my letter-teaching approach, I also enjoy incorporating books. For example, when introducing the letter 'I', I engaged my boys by reading ice-cream-themed books and local favourites like, "The one and Only Inuka."
It is with great reluctance that we have to say goodbye to The Joy Learners. However, we are excited to revamp these materials and launch new letters soon.
You can download our Alphabet and Me club term 1 here, https://www.ourjoyoflearning.com/plans-pricing/payment/eyJpbnRlZ3JhdGlvbkRhdGEiOnt9LCJwbGFuSWQiOiJjMTRhN2M2NC1kYmJkLTRmYjktYTk5MS0xOWFlNTI3MzI2MGMifQ
The learning pack consists of videos showcasing stories from the letter A to D, along with accompanying songs. It contains 42 pages of digital PDFs, each focusing on a specific letter and offering story-based activities. Moreover, it provides hands-on learning activities for each day of the week, from Monday to Friday.
I also incorporated Reggio Emilia-inspired activities that enable my boys to express their creativity through self-generated work.
We hope that this post will assist you in attempting home learning with your child. If you find this post helpful or require any assistance, please feel free to send us a message!
It is also important to note that, children develop at their own pace and have unique strengths and weaknesses. Each child has their own set of talents and abilities, and it's important to appreciate and nurture these differences rather than comparing them to others. So let's adopt a growth mindset, which focuses on effort, improvement, and the process of learning rather than just the end result.
Would you then be willing to spend some time with your children, creating a positive learning environment at home by engaging in activities that promote curiosity, exploration, and enjoyment of learning?
If yes, let's journey together!
This is because you are the only reason who can provide a safe and nurturing environment for your child.
With lots of love,
Lynette