Early Childhood Educational Resources for Homeschooling

The year 2020 brought with it a whirlwind of unforeseen challenges, among them the sudden shift to homeschooling due to the pandemic. As a parent, navigating this uncharted territory proved to be both daunting and rewarding. With my kids at home and my own work responsibilities to attend to, the task of striking a balance between work and ensuring my children's education did not falter felt like a tightrope walk. However, amidst the uncertainties, I discovered a treasure trove of innovative educational resources that kept my kids engaged, curious, and excited about learning. In this article, I share my homeschooling journey, reflecting on the challenges I faced and the creative solutions we embraced to nurture our children's intellectual growth. One particular gem in our educational arsenal was the Preschool Mathematics Domino—a versatile tool that not only sharpened their mathematical skills but also fostered problem-solving and critical thinking abilities.

The sudden shift to homeschooling was uncharted territory for our family. As the pandemic confined us to the four walls of our home, my kids' education was my top priority. Yet, I soon discovered that traditional pen and paper activities were met with dwindling interest and enthusiasm. The need for an alternative approach became evident, and I embarked on a quest to explore innovative educational resources that could capture their imagination and foster a love for learning.

My search led me to the Preschool Mathematics Domino—a vibrant and eco-friendly educational kit designed for children aged three and above. With 110 colorful wooden pieces and a numbered board, this captivating tool promised to enhance their mathematical skills through playful exploration. 

The kit offered a multitude of math problems, encouraging the kids to add and subtract two single-digit numbers and place the dominoes strategically on the board.

What I truly admired about the Preschool Mathematics Domino was its versatility in promoting hands-on and creative learning experiences. 

The kids embarked on exciting adventures, using the counting sticks and wooden pieces to design imaginative shapes and structures. Their creative minds soared as they competed to construct the tallest and sturdiest tower, fostering teamwork and collaboration.

In one of the most cherished activities, we coined it the "domino wheel." Inspired by an image on the mathematics domino storage box, the kids took on the challenge of replicating a circular structure using the domino pieces. This task proved to be both fun and challenging, enhancing their motor skills and problem-solving abilities. With each collapse and rebuild, their determination to succeed and improve their design shone through, resulting in moments filled with laughter and delight.

 

As the kids delved deeper into the world of Preschool Mathematics Domino, I witnessed a remarkable transformation in their approach to problem-solving. Evaluating whether to add or subtract, calculating the right equation, and deciding on the ideal slot for the domino demanded critical thinking at its finest. Their young minds embraced the thrill of challenge, unearthing solutions with newfound confidence. The process of learning became an exhilarating adventure, and they embraced each math problem as an exciting puzzle to solve.

An additional activity they engaged in was designing a domino wheel; as we nicknamed it. They observed an image printed on the mathematics domino storage box and then mimicked it to achieve a circular structured design. This challenging task enhanced the kids’ motor skills every time they built it up after collapsing. It is an exciting and fun activity full of laughter.

To all fellow parents embarking on the homeschooling adventure, I wholeheartedly encourage you to explore alternative educational resources that ignite the spark of curiosity in your children. Embrace the world of hands-on learning, where imagination knows no bounds, and creativity takes flight. Let's create an environment where problem-solving and critical thinking are celebrated, and each challenge is an opportunity for growth.

To continue this journey of discovery, I invite you to explore the next educational resource that enriched our homeschooling experience. Click on the link to uncover a treasure trove of innovative tools that will keep your kids engaged, curious, and inspired in their quest for knowledge. Let's nurture young minds together and embark on an exciting learning adventure that transcends the boundaries of traditional education.

Resources:

See a link to view the kids solving the sums:

                      Subtraction                                           Addition  

See a link to view the kids playing the Domino Wheel

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Fluttering with Creativity: Butterfly Paper Craft

Engage your child's artistic flair with this delightful butterfly paper craft! Not only is it a fun and engaging activity, but it also nurtures essential skills and values in the process. By the end of this enchanting project, your child will be filled with a sense of accomplishment and newfound self-confidence.

Learning Outcomes:
Through this activity, your child will:
a) Showcase their 2D artwork with presentation and exhibition skills.
b) Express their emotions, feelings, and experiences creatively.
c) Experience the joy of success by crafting a stunning butterfly artwork.

Core Competencies Enhanced:
a) Unleash their creativity as they bring their butterfly to life.
b) Boost self-efficacy as they proudly share and discuss their masterpiece.

Values Instilled:
 a) Encouraging the sharing of art materials among peers.
b) Fostering teamwork while collaborating with others.
c) Instilling respect and appreciation for each other's artwork during the display.

Life Skills:
As they showcase and talk about their butterfly artwork, your child will develop self-esteem and assertiveness.

Materials Needed:
• Two types of manila paper
• Scissors
• Glue
• Pencil
• Marker pen
• Coin/Compass or any circular object

Steps:
1. Trace the right and left hand on one piece of Manila paper.

2. Carefully cut along the pencil markings to create two sets of handprint cutouts.

3. On a different color of Manila paper, use a coin or any circular object to draw small circular shapes. Freehand drawing works just fine too. 

 

4. Cut out the circular shapes and set them aside, creating as many as you prefer based on the hand cutout size.
5. Use the same colored Manila paper used for drawing circles to create a bigger circular shape (the butterfly's head), an oval shape (the body), and two curved stripes (the antennae). Cut out these shapes.
6. Glue the hand cutouts together, overlapping one palm over the other at the point where the lower part of the thumb meets.

7. Glue the oval and circular shape at the intersection of the hand cutouts, forming the body and head of the butterfly. Attach the antennae at the back of the circular head shape.

  

8. Adorn the palms with the small circular shapes and use a marker pen to draw curvy lines on the oval (representing wings), eyes, and a mouth on the circular head.

 Now watch your butterfly craft take flight, 

carrying your child's creativity to new heights!

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