Early Learning: A List of Things I'm Glad I Did and Sad I Didn't

Before Mischa was born I knew I would homeschool her. I remember being so excited about my future homeschool student that I spent more time looking up educational books and products than I did actual baby stuff. (Crazy, I know!) I'm glad I did because so many things I've done with her have really paid off- I'm only sad that I didn't do certain things sooner (I'll dedicate another post entirely to laziness and my regrets of that horrible character trait I often possess). Below is a list of things I'm glad I did and sad I didn't do along with explanations why. I hope this incomplete list helps any parent or soon to be parent know some of the wonderful things children under 4 years old can learn.

1. I am glad I got and read the first 4 or 5 chapters of 'The Well Trained Mind' before Mischa was born. It encouraged me to keep the television off, talk to Mischa like an adult, play audiobooks on cd (her favorite is The Secret Garden), and read to her often. It also gives a bunch of recommended books. http://www.welltrainedmind.com/

2. I am glad that before Mischa was born I spent the $150 on the entire set (at the time) of Your Baby Can Read. Mischa was reading simple words like hello, clap, and arms up at 8 months old. After watching the YBCR creator, Dr. Titzer's, presentation on things to do with your child I took most of it to heart which further emphasized no television, reading to her often, and talking to her like she is an adult. That means no baby talk! He also explained that when you read to your child to drag your finger under the word... this teaches them the direction in which to read. Also, I was very strict about her viewing schedule so she never missed a day and I always did the flashcards with her. http://yourbabycanread.com/

3. I am glad I got a book called 'Slow and Steady Get Me Ready' which has weekly activities to do with your child starting on the day they are born until they turn five. I am sad, however, I got this book when Mischa was about 8 months old causing us to miss a good number of activities. (You can find this book on amazon or christianbook.com)

4. I am glad I got a bunch of Dr. Seuss books for her and read at least 3 to her everyday. When she got old enough to be mobile I read more often because she could go get a book and give it to me saying, "Read?" I never denied her if she asked me to read... even if I was writing a very important essay for college. I wanted her to be certain I would read to her anytime she asked me when I was sitting near her. (Her favorites were Hop On Pop, Go Dog Go, and Fox In Socks)

5. I am glad my husband often spoke to Mischa in German. Now she can understand pretty much anything he says when speaking German. I am sad that I didn't assist him as well as I could have. 

6. I am glad that even though she was rather young for it (age 2) I let Mischa begin practicing German and eventually Mandarin Chinese using Rosetta Stone. I just took off the voice recognition because it wouldn't work with her and still sort of doesn't. http://www.rosettastone.com/

7. I am glad I got "Your Baby Can Speak German" and Mischa still likes singing and reading the songs on that dvd. (Even if the kids in it are very 80's) She will walk around the house singing, "Gehen wir die Tiere anschau'n. Die alle im Zoo leben..." There are other languages children can learn through this product as well... http://yourbabycanread.com/index.php/products/second-languages.html?p=1

8. I am glad I got "Little Pim" to teach Mischa Mandarin Chinese when she was 3. Since then she has blossomed in her love for Chinese. She wants everything to be Chinese- except food... she doesn't like Chinese food. Again, I am only sad that I didn't get her this set when she was younger than 3. http://www.littlepim.com/

9. I am glad that the first movie or entertainment oriented show Mischa ever watched was when she was 13 months old and it was The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh. (Unless the grandparents hid stuff from me...)

10. I am glad that my husband and I always put on English subtitles while watching anything with Mischa (including that first Winnie the Pooh movie). I really believe that helped her to read better even while being entertained. 

11. I am glad I got Your Child Can Discover when Mischa was about 2. It teaches counting, patterns, geometric shapes, colors, music, and math. I am sad that I didn't get it sooner as they would have been a perfect addition to Your Baby Can Read except they instruct a different set of skills. I am also sad that I didn't emphasize math skills very much until she turned 3. http://yourbabycanread.com/index.php/your-child-can-discover.html

12. I am glad that I got Kumon First Steps Workbooks and Big Skills for Little Hands books for Mischa when she turned 2. I am sad that I didn't get more on hand to do once she completed the books we had. http://www.amazon.com/Sticker-Paste-Kumon-First-Workbooks/dp/1933241136/ref=sr_1_19?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1387216096&sr=1-19&keywords=kumon+books

13. I am glad that even when it seemed I could never teach Mischa certain things I did not stop trying. Some particular skills like cutting, glueing, writing with a pencil, and certain math facts are easy to get discouraged while teaching. Even though they are seem to be such simple things. Just like with potty training encouragement and persistence goes a long way! 

14. I am glad that I did not allow Mischa to have mindless noisy toys. We filled her room with puzzles, books, legos, blocks, board games, along with toys that encourage role playing and creativity. One of my favorite brands is Melissa and Doug. A lot of good quality toys can be found here... http://www.fatbraintoys.com/index.cfm?source=bing&kwid=fat%20brain%20toys

15. I am glad that once Mischa turned 1 year old I got a bunch of tempera paint and let her paint almost every day with a paintbrush.  A lot of the time her picture turned out to be just a bunch of brown but I know she always enjoys painting.

16. I am glad that when Mischa was 3 we started gardening together. It is such a wonderful way to teach a young child how to care for something with patience. Not to mention the look on her face when the little seed starts to sprout. 

Of course I have many more regrets and joys associated with the way I've taught and raised Mischa so far as I'm sure there are so many regrets and joys we all have associated with parenting. 

If you have any questions, comments, joys, or regrets feel free to post them below. 

Happy Homeschooling!

~Mickaela