new to abq and homeschooling - Print Topic

Hi everyone,
We are new to Abq. from N. California by way of Minnesota. I am looking for others who are doing homeschooling activities (or have done) with their preschooler. I am interested in Waldorf style "curriculum", but have not found any resources in Abq. (except a Waldorf school in Santa Fe, and web sites). Several posters mentioned that they started around this age (2 1/2-3) and are so glad they did - what did you do? What were the great books you used? Are there others doing this with their preschoolers who meet with their kids for group activities? Anyone out there who just wants to email/share ideas? We live in the Nob Hill area. Thanks,

Jessica

Saskia, 2 3/4; Finnigan 5 mos.

Hi Jessica, I'm also from Calif. (bay area), moved to ABQ about 7 years ago after living in Portland (OR) and Boston. I'm sure you'll enjoy the city. It's so relaxed and uncrowded, and has so many amenities for such a small city, such as the zoo, aquarium, explora, etc.

New Mexico Kids' magazine calendar section used to list a "Waldorf study group" that was also a playgroup. I'm not sure if it's still listed, but you might want to check that out if you haven't already.

I lean more towards unschooling and haven't done that much with my kids that could be considered curriculum at that age. I don't know much about Waldorf, but don't they emphasize the arts? That wouldn't have worked for either of my kids, because they both dislike getting hands messy. WEird, huh?

Anyway, welcome to Albuquerque, and to the board. Hopefully someone else can give you better suggestions about learning material for that age. Our co-op has lots of activities for toddlers through grade schoolers, but we generally don't do curriculum stuff with preschoolers as a group. We do things like park days, crafts, tours & fieldtrips (petting zoo, nature center, etc.) We do have a spanish class that meets during the school year...

Hi again,
Thanks Elizabeth for the NM kids idea (I am from the Bay Area too - Berkeley). I just want to clarify what I have in mind when I say "curriculum". At this point I am just trying to be more deliberate about making up more songs/singing more, doing more imaginative playing (puppets, dress up, play dough....), and more arts and crafts (making collages with things we find outside...). In MN I met with other moms and toddlers once a week where there were some of these things available (costumes, modeling sand). The kids did some independent play and then we sang songs in a circle and used some props. That's all I am looking for. Something a little more than sharing shovels at the playground but not preschool. Something where we could talk about "taking turns" and learn new songs.....? I am new to homeschooling, so dont know about the various forms (like "unschooling"?). What appeals to me about Waldorf is their emphasis at this age on developing imagination/imaginative play. For example, rather than giving a child an action figure, they would give the child clay, the idea being that an action figure can only be an action figure, whereas clay can be so many things. My friend described her sons' waldorf play area as having a big pile of dirt rather than a climbing structure - this is a little more extreme than I am interested in, but you get the idea. Hence the Waldorf emphasis on no TV. But again, I'm just starting - I dont really know what I'm doing :) I will look into groups through the co-op, and/or if anyone wants to start something like what I described, great.
Jessica

Hi Saskia,

Welcome to Albuquerque. I have heard that Mountain Mahogany Community School for K-3 is starting up next year. It is a school which will be using aspects of Waldorf. If you are interested Call David Ruben at 266-6393 or 328-2145 or email at http://mountainmahogany.org/
Once again welcomto Albuquerque. I also moved here from San Diego, California and have learned to love Albuquerque with its slower pace of life and its wonderful weather.

Voula

I have a great site to help you..... it is called everythingpreschool.com they have printables, games, songs, art and much for everyt heme youc ould think of. I am loving the theme approach and we use these in our playgroup....I hope to start a similar group or join an existing one when we move in the next few weeks to Alb.

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