Mary will be three at the end of January. My plan was to just do the 'normal' home things ~~ read, cook, sew, talk about letters and numbers but nothing formal. Well the girl is always asking me how to spell things, commenting on words (why is it called a restaurant mommy? Do we rest here? Why is that I upside down? when she saw a ! on a sign). She is constantly rhyming words and telling me what rhymes with what and cracking herself up. Last week she was wearing a shirt with writing on it and she was telling me the letters -- upside down! I had on a kanji tee shirt yesterday and she was begging me to tell her what it said.

Yesterday she brought me paper and some crayons and begged me to write words for her, and she sat for a half hour sounding (or trying to) them out. She counts everything. She has known right and left for at least 6 months.

My first DD wasn't like this at all. So I'm a little stuck. SHe does attend Waldorf preschool, but that's more about the playing, socializing and motor skills, left brain stuff.

I think she wants something more, and I'm not sure what. I was a teacher for 13 years you'd think I'd have a lot up my sleeve but I got rid of all my first grade stuff.

Is there a good (low cost LOL) reading or math program you can recommed? Shecki told me about the ACE school curriculum and that looks good, does anyone have the beginning workbooks?

Thanks so much mamas!

we used the ACE k program it has practically NO teacher involvment which at that age was horrible for my son. He needed my interaction and reassurance. It did not work for us at all. I still have the main books I can see exactly what I have if you're interested.
I would suggest to continue doing what you are doing. I'd be concerned that if you pulled out a curriculm you're going to spoil her fun and learning won't be a game anymore.
Dover books has some coloring books with shapes etc (look under children's activity books) and you can get some phonic books at the library. But I would just let her continue to direct the education. When she askes answer as completly as you can. She'll keep asking and she'll keep learning :) You've done a great job so far why stop now?

Have you considered a Montessori preschool? It would be a place where she could explore those things on her own terms and maybe get the satisfaction she seems to be craving.

My son did amazingly well in Montessori and I am a big fan, LOL.

My kids like Phonics Pathways and the Explode the Code workbooks.

What is ACE?

What is ACE

Accelarated Christian Education
A self-taught workbook curriculum written for Christian Schools.


IMO it would not be the best thing for an eager to learn pre-K. I would be afraid it would stifle her curiosity and love of learning (lol, that opinion came from my own personal experience with ACE in the 7th grade.)

I am doing Sonlight Pre-K with my just turned 5 year old and we love it. It is a bit intense though as far as reading and involment goes but we are taking it at a slower pace when we need to and that helps.

And just another thought- 3 yr olds learn best while playing. Playing is their job. I am a former pre-school teacher who hates the idea of pre-school. If you do start something I would encourage you to look for something rather unstructered.

There are some great books available about playing and encouraging play.