Developmentally Appropriate

I know.  Developmentally appropriate.  Big words to describe what activities my kids should be doing at the age they are at.  But there is so much that I see these days that is NOT developmentally appropriate.  Too much hurry hurry hurry.  Trying to force them into learning how to read or do math or comprehend things that are above them. 

I read this blog post recently from another homeschooling mom and it hit home!  The Unhurried Homeschooler put into words what I couldn't. 

We've recently completed 3 weeks of homeschooling.  Austin has completed 33 pages of his math workbook and only 11 of his phonics.  Just looking at this, you can see where his interest lies right now.  Doing the math, he's still getting writing skills in.  Do I want him to learn how to read?  YES!  Should I push it more and more right now when he's really just not there????  NO!  Will I continue to offer phonics and reading skills.  Of course.  But I am realizing I need to back off on the PUSHING a bit.  When I push, he's pushing back and that's when the meltdowns happen.  Taking it one day and moment at a time is best for him when it comes to reading.  He is learning more and more about reading every day.  Even when doing his math.  His math skills are amazing.  He's conquering more than and less than.  He's still doing a lot of math in his head.  He's almost ready to move into a 1st grade math book!  I'm going to do one more Kindergarten level math book with him and then move him up!  It's where he is! 

Also, while doing our Advent series, we are making these amazing Saint's ornaments.  You can find them here on Catholic Icing.  Yes.  I paid $5 for them.  But I can do them year after year and print as many as I want!  It will be interesting to see how they look this year and then how they look in the next few years as my kids get older!  Will Davey want to do them when he's 5?  That's 4 years down the road!  $5 well spent in my opinion for an activity that will span many years of homeschooling. 

In between all this, my beautiful Audrey turned 5 on Friday! 

 

She got to pick breakfast, which ended up being Eggo waffles and sausage.  She also chose the dinner for the night which was hot dogs.  We made them into chili dogs for the adults and everyone was happy!  Making decisions like this is great for kids!  It gives them a little control and sometimes they also learn how hard it is to put a meal together.  Audrey and I went on and on for 2 days as to what our dinner would be on her birthday.  She couldn't decide on just a couple things and I finally had to reel her in and say, "One meat.  One veggie."  Of course we HAD to have Birthday Cake!!!  She had chosen eariler in the week to have a rainbow sprinkle cake with neon pink frosting on it.  We got some sugar Frozen decorations and a candle!  Here's how it came out! 

Is it professional quality???  Hardly!  But SHE got to do a lot of it!  She got to help me measure the oil and water and crack the eggs into it.  She got to help me with the icing and the placement of the decorations.  Wait?  You mean she did math, science, and fine motor skills while making a cake?  Yep!  She sure did!  THIS is our homeschooling! 

Have a Blessed Sunday and enjoy your day!