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"Give yourself a break", I tell myself. Despite of or maybe because I started this homeschool journey while working full-time, I have such high hopes for what we'll be able to accomplish now. "I'm home!", I think excitedly, "we'll be able to do so many cool things". Maybe somewhere. Maybe in another reality, in another plane of existence where all my plans are coming to fruition. The truth is, that between Zoom meetings, diaper changes, and taking care of the other tasks that come with mandatory lock down, some days our homeschool is downright discouraging.
But then, days like today happen. After a few minutes outside tending to the plants we both set up for our days work. The dining room table plays the part of schoolroom and office simultaneously; high chair and high back chair sit side by side. A Montessori inspired Melissa & Doug Basic Skill Board begins the day. It's a new activity so we start with the empty frame.
Between Zoom calls we practice opening zippers, closing snaps, and putting buttons through an eyelet. Each completed task means another piece of the puzzle we can put back into the empty frame. Some of the activities on the board (like lace tying) are more than my 2 year old is ready to accomplish. That's OK. It just gives him something to strive for and me one more tool that will grow with us.
After the dressing board we take advantage of a Bendon Imagine Ink Mess Free Drawing Pad. Not really a planned activity, it was originally more of a filler. But as we get started I realize the marker is just the right size for practicing a three point grip and the activity pages are all the motivation he needs to practice! M got more than halfway through the first page before asking for assistance. The goal with practicing writing at this age (and with everything really) is keeping anxiety low and the activity light and fun. I know we are working on three point grip but as far as he is concerned he's getting to color. I hope school and learning will stay as fun for his lifetime.
After a nap it's a couple of lessons in Reading Eggs and Math Seeds followed by handclapping along to Preschool Prodigies, "Beet, beet, cherry beet'. Our homeschooling day has gone wonderfully but most importantly, we were able to connect. Working side by side both independently and together has left us both with a sense of accomplishment and a smile.
