Stay-at-home Mom Curriculum?

I, too, am planning on homeschooling my 2 year old starting this year. We already have done a lot of learning through play, but I have heard wonders about the A-Bekka books. I plan on using that system. Hope you have fun! :)

I don't recommend any curriculum for toddlers. Children, at this age, learn best through play. Your time can still be structured and educational without having a curriculum. I'm a big fan of Montessori teaching. The book, Montessori From the Start, is an excellent book. Another book we use is 365 ways to a smarter preschooler.

Welcome to the homeschooling world. Enjoy the ride!

Hi N....I was a teacher when my first son was born and had a hard time adjusting to life at home with him at first. If I remember correctly...this was about 7-8 years ago so bear with me on the details...I took about 2 weeks to let both of us "decompress" from daycare and teaching and then kind of watched his natural "schedule" for a pattern. I am a big fan of our Public Broadcasting Station so I let him watch a few cartoons in the morning with breakfast. I scheduled our day much like his daycare did...(something like this)
Breakfast, Inside Playtime/Craft, Outside Time, Clean up/Lunch, Naptime, Snack, Playtime/Centers, Outside Time, Snack...etc.
I made sure that meals/snacks went in 2 hour increments...Brkfst 7am, Snack 9am, Lunch 11am, Nap by noon sleep 2hrs, Snack 2pm, Smaller Snack 4pm, Dinner 6pm...etc.
I was pretty hands on and had set times during the day that he had independent play such as blocks or trucks, dress up (he's a superhero costume kid...even now at 10!!), etc. That gave me time to get a few odds and ends done in peace. And then other times where we sat down together with crayons and coloring books, contruction paper and scissors, butcher paper on the kitchen floor with watercolors, reading a book, going outside to play...etc.
Check out your local teachers supply store too for ideas for younger kids. Bookstores also have some really neat creative idea books for toddlers. Remember that your little one learns through play at this age so don't try to get them to sit down and do much for more than 10-15 minutes at a time. They may color for 5 minutes and want to move on...that's ok. Their attention span is very short at this stage.
Get involved in a local playgroup (check out meetup.com for groups in your area), libraries have book reading days for toddlers throughout the week, check out a Gymboree Play & Music (I worked at one for 3 yrs and their curriculum is WONDERFUL!!) or The Little Gym so that you guys have one day out a week or so.
TAke those independent play times, nap time and a few hours when little one is in bed to get things done for you so that you have time during the day to play with your child. You don't want them to get dependent on you for entertainment so please work with them on the independent play through out the day. It may take a while (my two year old is just getting the hang of it!) but will be wonderful for their social development later on. I hope some of this helps. I have had lots of experience with toddlers as a 3 year old Preschool Teacher for 6 years and alot of background in Child Development Studies. I also have a 10 yr old, 2 yr old and 2 month old so I'm in the midst of every stage right now! If you have any questions please feel free to get in touch. I just LOVE helping other moms who want to see their children be productive and not just veg in front of the TV all day! Good luck to you and enjoy your time with little one...they grow up waaayyy too fast!!

My very own mama used to use Sesame Street magazine for me, and would help me do the activities as they arrived every month. Also, Nick Jr. Magazine is nice for toddlers. My favorite website that I am currently using even for my 11 months old is www.starfall.com. Other than that, I would just play and have fun. You, as a teacher, know that little ones learn by playing.

Have a Great Day!
L. Santiago

Hi N.,
I am just now reading another response from a mother who stayed home and her ideas are wonderful except for the TV part. The brain is definitely affected by TV and it should be avoided for young children. Otherwise I totally agree with everything.
There are curricula that you can choose from. Waldorf has an amazing one that you can order and even get training for. I also recommend the use of Montessori materials which again you can get training for.
As for a schedule, you must set it up to work for you. It must allow for short periods of instruction for such a young child with breaks for play and for you. I would suggest that you have plenty of unstructured play time as well including other kids if possible. You could look for a homeschool group in your area.
Also there are some great books with guided visualizations to help your child learn emotional intelligence.
Keep in mind that there is the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual aspect of a child that all need to be in balance for that child to lead a successful happy life.
I know this leaves lots of gaps so feel free to email me direct for more info.
Regards,
Z. Lightway M.Ed.

Have you considered a Montessori approach? There's a great book called "Montessori From the Start" (by Paula Polk Lillard and Lynn Lillard Jessen) that has loads of information on incorporating Montessori principles into your home. Your child will learn and develop so much. Its the idea of purposeful play and is very very effective. I'm sure there are some sort of curriculum books out there for this philosophy as well if you'd like things set down in a more concrete (this is what you do today) sort of way. But "Montessori From the Start" is a great place to begin. I hope this helps you!

I don't have any advice but I am certainly excited to see the suggestions that people give you. I too am looking for educational yet fun things to do with my 18 month old grandson. Good luck to you!

I am a stay-at-home mom, but also have a Bachelor's in Education and Master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction. I find this question seem to come up a lot. Therefore, I am planning on starting a membership website for stay at home mom's to use where I do the planning of engaging activities, and you create a plan "of attack" that suitable to your child's age and needs. Look for it within the next month to come. It will be www.loveandlearnathome.com

Enjoy and happy new year 2012!

N.,

I have a 2 and 3 yr old at home with me and agree that structure is a must!! Even though they aren't in "school" or daycare, we have our "school" time that they love. Its usually from 10-11:30 every day. That gives them time to get up and motivated, and have breakfast with out any rushing. We sing some songs, do some finger plays, and then do a couple of age appropriate worksheets. Some are color sheets for the 2 yr old. others are intro's to letters for the older child. The website I use is www.tlsbooks.com. Its wonderful and age appropriate. I wish you lots of luck and hope you enjoy your new adventure of being a SAHM. I know I love it!!!

D.
moms helping moms work from home:)
http://www.formyrugrats.com

Well since you are a teacher, I will curb my usual advice. But there is one thing that is still critical: time away from your toddler. Your toddler learns everything from you but.......social skills. By the time they are 3, they need to go to a preschool for a couple of days a week to get used to other children in a learning environment. Children who don't are 'shell-shocked' at having to go to school 5 days a week.