posted July 19, 2000 07:50 PM               

Originally posted by the Lamberts on Sept. 8, 1998

Before FIAR is NOT a curriculum. We don't believe in having "school" with toddlers. Rather, it is a resource- a treasury of activities and ideas to do with children. You'll find activities to develop motor skills, reading readiness, art, rhythm, ideas on toys and much, much more.

Among those ideas, are activities related to 24 different early-childhood books. These activities, like all the other activities found in Before FIAR, are intended to be used from time to time with toddlers. In other words, now and then, when you have a few extra moments, and when you'd like to read a story to a little one, you'll find several ideas for fun, story-related activities.

It was never intended to be done systematically, sequentially, five days in a row, or even two days in a row. Rather, it was intended to be used in the context of reading a story from time to time and then saying, "I have an idea! Why don't we act out the story together?" or whatever activity you've selected to explore with your little one.

Having said all of that, most moms find it easy to "do" FIAR on a daily, systematic basis, and ALSO find opportunities to share an activity or story from Before with their toddlers. Two or three activities per week is plenty for the littlest ones. And they need not be from the same book. You might do an activity from one book on Tuesday, a non-literature based rhythm exercise on Wednesday, an unrelated art project on Friday and read a different book and discuss some aspect of the story at bedtime on Saturday night.

(For the older Five in a Row curriculum there are some very good reasons to try to maintain a four or five day schedule and you can read about these reasons in the Five in a Row manuals or email me for an explanation. But, the Before Five in a Row material can be used completely sporadically and is just a vehicle to have "something at hand" to do with the little ones that will be fun, create a great memory and build a solid foundation for later academic work.)

Think of FIAR as a curriculum, but think of Before FIAR as a treasury of activities to explore from time to time. Hope this helps clarify.

Blessings,

posted July 19, 2000 07:51 PM               

Originally posted by the Lamberts on August 9, 1999

You would DEFINITELY want to do Before with your 3-year old. The activities in Before FIAR are the ones your child needs now. It's not the time to teach your toddler about buoyancy, the American Revolution or the capital of Italy. It's time to teach them about rhythm and fine and gross motor skills and reading readiness skills and to simply enjoy these few precious years of childhood before thinking about academics. There will be PLENTY of time for that in 18 months or 2 years.

Blessings,

posted July 19, 2000 07:52 PM               

Originally posted by Michelle Rhodes(VA) on May 1, 2000

My dd turned 4 in November and since we had done 14 months of B4 I decided to move on to FIAR for her. Well academically it has been fine. I pick the simplest activities that are at her level and we really have enjoyed the books. However I've recently come to the conclusion that she will only be 4 once and that pushing her to be one or two grade levels over that is not necessary. It's not that she couldn't do it, it's that I want to savor 4!

Also I have a 3, and almost 2yr olds so next year we will all be doing B4 again. There is just so much in the B4 manual and on the website that even with most of the books being revisits we will have a ton of different activities to do.

You are right in that it is much easier to do the FIAR lessons than to "beef" up B4 as far as planning goes. I've found though that since I can see all the wonderful stuff to do with FIAR I'm frustrated that my dd is not old enough to do them. So for my peace of mind and to savor my children's childhood a little while longer, we are going to go back to B4.

posted July 19, 2000 07:53 PM               

Originally posted by Dawn G.(MI) Before FIAR Message Board Sysop, on May 3, 2000

Remember, with a four year old (or under), you have a LOT of time to "cover it all!" You don't have to cover it all, or ANY of it for that matter, yet! B4FIAR is a wonderful preschool program. I used it for Kindergarten, and the only thing I added was number recognition for math. (Waited to start reading until first grade...)

I cannot recommend highly enough, the 3R's from Ruth Beechik. The ideas she gives for teaching the basics complement FIAR (and B4) very well. Remember to pace yourself. You have as long as you need to take to "teach" your children. (okay, so NONE of us want to be homeschooling the same kid 30 years from now!) Someone once said "the work of childhood is play" (wish I remembered who this wise person was!) Let your four year old play and explore and learn by doing and seeing and wondering. You will be amazed at how much she learns in spite of your efforts! (believe me, there will be times when you will feel this way! LOL)

As far as a day or a week being enough time to teach "good manners" it isn't. Period. But, I've not yet met a 5 or 6 year old (or many 10 or 12 year olds, for that matter) with perfect manners. We introduce a "good manner" or a new behavior, perhaps in a day, or a week, along with a lesson. Then look for opportunities in life to practice it: Please carry this to the trash for mommy. Thank You for helping your sister pick up her toys. It is the lessons of life that your children will remember most, and habits are formed by continuous repetition, not in 30 minutes of practicing good manners each day. It is truly a lifestyle of learning!

I think the following sentence, from your last paragraph says it best: "I don't want to take on more than I need to and want learning to be fun and something that builds on our memories and our relationship with one another." If you can keep that the focus this year, you will avoid burning out yourself and your four year old. Childhood, especially the preschool years, are far too precious and brief to clutter them with a lot of stuff, just to meet the expectations of others. They will grow, all too fast, and then will be the time for formal lessons and learning. Now is a time for exploration and play. Pray about it, seek the Lord's direction for yourself, your homeschool, and your child, and you can't go wrong!

posted July 19, 2000 07:55 PM               

Originally posted by The Lamberts on October 18, 1999

Don't wait another day!! Before FIAR was created to work with children as early as age 2. In our opinion the most effective way to begin Before is to *NOT* differentiate beween "school" and other activities. Simply glance at your manual and select an idea or activity related to whatever book you've brought home from the library this week. Then snuggle on the couch and read the story. Afterwards, simply say something like, "I have an idea! Why don't we...."

Then simply sit down and do the activity. There are two objectives you're working towards. 1- You want to help your child develop the readiness skills needed in many areas including motor skills, balance, listening, etc. And 2- You want to help establish early that reading stories, being around books, and doing things together are everyday occurences in this family. This will make the transition to "school" much easier and more natural in another year or so.

Blessings as you begin,

posted July 20, 2000 02:06 AM               

Originally posted by Michele(NC) on November 13, 1999

We have been doing a new thing with B4 so I thought I'd share. I used to try to do the five-in-a-row thing with B4 but I never had time to do it and also get FIAR done with my older children.

Now here's what we do: I moved all the B4 books onto a bookshelf in my 1yod and 3yos room (on a high shelf that they can't reach). Each night before bed 3yo gets to choose one of the stories. I read it to him and his sister (and usually the 9yo and 5yo join in too).

I keep the B4 manual near my bed so I can glance over the ideas for whatever book I just read to them. Then the next day I can say something like "remember how we read Carrot Seed last night? We are going to plant our own seeds now" or whatever activity I chose the night before.

posted July 28, 2000 03:25 PM               

Just a reminder, though, that in Before FIAR the activity headings just look like academic headings (or school). In reality, the headings like Math or Literature or Social Studies are there to show the parents how playing particular games and activities with their very young child sets a good foundation for academic lessons later. The headings only show in which academic areas the play activity prepares a young child to be excited about their academic lessons at age four or five or six. At ages 2,3 and sometimes even young four, the idea in Before FIAR is to make childhood memories and have meaningful play together.