Homeschooling and Manipulatives

 

Manipulatives have been a wonderful addition to our homeschool journey so far.  They seem to hold his focus for longer than anything, including regular toys.  At this point I am trying to incorporate them into our daily lives more.  The fact that he wants toys but then doesn't play with them bothers me.  Yet, if I set out manipulatives of one form or another, he will sit and paly with them for hours.  Focused.  Getting him to focus on anything for more than a few minutes, if we are lucky, has been a challenge.  I call it a win.  Even if he isn't using them for their intended purpose, his brain is working and learning.

For instance, take math cubes.  They are meant to count, addition, subtraction, etc.  We did that briefly.  Then we used them to create patterns.  I would create something that he would then continue on the pattern.  That turned into him making his own patterns, and asking how patterns work.  Now, he has figured out that he can build things with the cubes.  

We have magnetic tiles, magnetic cubes, a marble run, legos, etc.  Currently the math cubes are his focus.  He gets creative with them.  They are rather limiting since they only have 1 connection spot.  He has figured out how to build things in layers to create animals, people, etc.  The amount of problem solving he is using is amazing.  He will keep build and tear apart repeatedly without getting mad over and over again until it looks the way he has it pictured in his head.  It is fantastic to see.

Mosaic tiles are another favorite of his.  There is a grid with pictures you can create with the colored tiles.  He patiently creates these pictures, as well as creating his own.  It has helped with him looking at something and trying to copy it.  Whether that be a letter, number, or simple picture.  He is making that brain connection.

These manipulatives help with fine motor development, problem solving, creativity, etc.  The best part is he is working hard, focusing, and learning while he thinks he is just playing.

Frugal Homeschool Adventures

 Now that the weather is cooling down around here we are setting out on our adventures.  It is time for nature hikes and trails without sweating heavily and burning to a crisp.  This also means a lot less mosquitos to contend with.  It makes for more enjoyment in our adventures.

There are many trails we can do in our area without going very far.  All of these are free with the exception of the gas to drive there.  We just add these trails onto our days when we are already in the area.  Pack a lunch and drinks and we are good to go for a while.  

The boy loves to just run through the trails at full speed for a while.  The joy of being untethered in nature.  He looks for butterflies and moths as he runs.  Asking many, many questions about the sounds he hears, as well as the trees and flowers he sees.  Questions about the animals we see and hear, the trees that are down, as well as many others.

Collecting rocks, flowers, pine cones and a myriad of other items from outdoors is a daily occurrence with him.  He brings me small gifts from exploring outside.  He is very thoughtful.

He is definitely in his element outdoors.  He spends a lot of time outside exploring at home.  Nature trails and paths are the highlight of his day when we fit them in.  Unfortunately, we are not able to do this every day.  His disappointment shows up more and more in his behavior on the days we do not go.  I wish this could be an every day adventure, but unfortunately life has many other demands.  Working full time from home gives me some freedom to go on short  adventures, but I still have to work.