The Preschool at Home Podcast

Preschool at Home Q & A: Understanding Creative Arts at the Preschool Level

Have you ever wanted your preschooler to create a Pinterest-Perfect craft? But instead, you ended up with an epic fail? Okay, it might not have been that dramatic, but it probably wasn't the perfect addition to your art collection. Preschoolers LOVE to participate in art and have so much fun engaging all of their senses in the process. Art for preschoolers is much more about the process than the product and allows your child to explore new mediums and construct new ideas. Understanding creative arts at the preschool level means that you allow your child to use his/her imagination, make choices, and bring their own ideas to life.

My Preschooler Has the Worst Handwriting: All About Fine Motor Skills

Have you ever looked at something your preschooler wrote and thought to yourself... My preschooler has the worst handwriting! Okay, maybe you didn't say those exact words, but you've thought: * My child writes SO big. * I can't read my child's letters. * Are these just scribbles? In order to write well, and do lots of other really important skills, preschoolers need to develop the tiny muscles in their hands. In education circles, you'll hear "fine motor skills". Fine motor skills all revolve around your child's ability to control those small muscles in his/her hands. And while they may not seem EXCEPTIONALLY important, they actually are. When you type, zip your coat, tie your shoes, and sign your name, you are using your own fine motor skills. When you snap to music, open a milk jug, and squeeze an eyedropper, you are using your fine motor skills AGAIN. Often, we use these skills and don't even recognize them.  It's like we are on auto-pilot. And that is EXACTLY what we want for our preschoolers. Listen and learn more about fine motor skills and how you can support fine motor development in your preschooler.

Preschool at Home Q & A 5: The Importance of Moving Large Muscles

Most preschool parents try to carve out some time to get in some kind of exercise, even if it is just a walk around the block. Sometimes, I get all motivated and end up looking a hot mess.  But whether I'm taking a walk, riding a stationary bike, or doing a full Beachbody workout,  I recognize the benefits of moving my large muscle groups. And just like there are benefits to adults moving their large muscle groups, there are also LOTS of benefits to preschoolers moving their large muscles. The development of large muscles can sometimes be overlooked by preschool parents because there is often SO much focus on literacy and early math skills. But the truth of the matter is, your preschooler NEEDS to develop his/her large muscles in order to maximize his/her kindergarten success. Listen to learn more!

Preschool at Home Q & A 4: All About Social and Emotional Development

Have you ever wondered... How can he continue to cry for so long? Isn't she wearing herself out? He has so many toys, does he really want the ONE toy (that he doesn't even like) that his brother is playing with? Well, preschool parents, we can have better answers to these questions when we have a better understanding of social/emotional development in preschoolers. So.... This episode of the Preschool at Home Podcast is ALL ABOUT social/emotional development in preschoolers. My special guest Chloe Crosby and I will be answering questions like... * How do I help my child share? * I noticed that my child doesn't seem to know how to play with other kids.  What do I do? * How can I encourage my child to clean up her toys after playtime? Yep, all of those questions fall into the category of social and emotional development.  Listen and find out more.

Preschool at Home Q & A 3: All About Preschool Math and Science

In this episode, you will learn what teachers mean when they say "preschool math and science".  You'll also learn: * How to make math fun for young learners. * Ideas for easy science experiments. * Different ways to incorporate counting. * How to begin adding and subtracting with your preschooler.  * Plus so much more.