I swear I have to quit watching parenting shows. Every time I see one, I start to compare myself to the parents on there and think "why don't I do projects everyday? does everyone do this? are my kids getting left behind? am I a bad parent? The competitive side comes out in me and I go crazy w/ let's work on something kids! Then 20 min. later they have no interest and I'm overcorrecting them so they hate it and don't want to do it. Its a pattern here, especially w/ school coming up. I get anxious and think, "I'm not doing enough, they won't be ready". So I go online to find some sort of master plan to prepare your child for school, what activities to do at home w/ them, etc. and come up w/ a butload of printable coloring pages. I feel like I'm the only one going through this and don't want my kids to fall behind. Do you do educational "projects" everyday? For how long? Where do you find the ideas for these projects? Little help?

I do everyday life projects. Today, while DS was in school, DD and I counted how manyscoops from the measuring cups while I was cooking. We paint some days or use chalk outside. I take both kids outside and show them the different bugs, plants etc. I don't do normal things like those parenting shows do. I want my kids to see learning is natural and not grow up to hate school.

I used to try to do a project every day. Now I just try to get the abc's and 123's practiced and a couple projects a week. When I need ideas I will usually just google "preschool lessons" or "preschool craft ideas".

i would not say we do them everyday we do an activity not always a craft. like yesterday we sailed our wooden boats we made last week so it was more of something to do than a craft.

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I created a calendar for the summer w/themed weeks. I didn't go crazy but I chose a book related to the theme each week, we learn a song and practice basic skills. I don't like crafts without a purpose because I feel it creates too much waste. I do let the children draw and paint but I don't like creating all these little things that end up in the trash. We made a bird feeder and I liked that because it is something useful. They love to make necklaces which I "recycle" back to the bead box when they get tired of them.

This week we are reading "The Human Body". Head, Shoulders, Knees & Toes is our theme song. I have casually talked about our senses and the purpose of our parts.

I agree with autismmom, I do lots of life lessons. We spend lots of time outdoors.

I've also been doing a weekly trip to the library. They love it!