My preschooler has often had to sit and watch while her older brother and sister played games on the computer, with our trial of Time 4 Learning’s Online Preschool Program she finally had some learning games just for her age. Time 4 Learning’s Online Preschool Program is an online tool for your little kiddies, ages 3 or 4, who aren’t quite ready for the more advanced educational online programs, but who would enjoy being on the computer anyway. For $19.95 per month, your preK child will be able to do various games and activities that give them practice in the following areas:
- Rhyming
- Weather
- Feelings
- Human Body
- Space
- Days of the Week
- Manners
- Time
- Money
- Nature
- and more
Here’s a screen shot:
This program included a log-in just for her, that would then take her to the lessons she needed to do while keeping track of lessons she had already completed. After a period of lesson time, the child could then enjoy some time in the area they called the “playground” which was a selection of more games that were also educational, for the most part. The parent is able to log in as well and input how much time you want your child to not only do the lessons portion of the program, but also how much playground time they are allowed.
Overall here are some positives:
-
My daughter enjoyed it! The topics given were perfect for her age and so she was learning new things without even knowing. Also, she got to feel like one of the big kids like her sister and brother.
- It was easy for my daughter to use. The program does not require reading, so my daughter was able to get around in the site without much help from me. She completed the lessons on her own and didn’t ask for much help.
- Very educational. The topics were filled with the regular preschool learning skills while also presenting many fun topics for the kids to learn about.
Things to bear in mind:
-
The cost. This is a montly fee program so one would have to weight the cost for their own family to decide if its worth it.
-
The length of the program My daughter was able to fly through many of the topics in a short time so I believe she would have completed the program in less than the regular school year.
-
It is computer based. Many don’t believe in computers based programs for young children so, if that is not your thing, then this would definately not be a fit.
Overall, we liked the program. It was educational and fun which are two key things for preschoolers. To find out more about Time4Learning, just click
here or go to
www.time4learning.com.
Its been a busy summer for us over here in the Stephen houseand we have definitely been enjoying the wonderful summer days. Its been some hot day, but we have no complaints as winter will be here soon enough. 
We spent the bulk of June keeping up with our 3 R’s of learning (reading, ‘riting, and ‘rithmatic) in the mornings with full out play days for the rest of the time. The older kids were also able to take part in some summer camps. The girls did a Christian Youth Theater (CYT) day camp where they got to sing and act and my son attended the local community college for a science camp.
July was our travel month. We started out with our yearly summer trip to the Toronto area to visit our friends and family there. It was great to see them and to have a week with the kids outside of our regular schedules around the house. As much as I love to take the kids to great vacation spots, we usually end up more tired after those kinds of vacations than when we started out! Taking time to visit family gives us much more time to just “be” and actually come home relaxed afterwards.
Round 2 of our travels involved taking the kids to visit my mom in Ohio. My hubby and I stayed the weekend there and then we left the kids with their grandma to get some love that only grandma’s can give (okay and to give me a break ). After being at home with my hubby without the kids for a few day he had to head off on a few business trips starting off in San Fransisco and ending in Argentina.
Now before you get all excited about his wonderful trips, you may not realize what is going on here…..I AM HOME ALONE!!! And if you have ever seen that movie you know the first thing I did was run through the house and scream LOL! I haven’t been alone for about 11 years. I got to eat what I wanted, when I wanted, sleep when I wanted, and just do whatever I wanted to!!! Talk about exciting! (Okay I did do some homeschool planning in the background, while watching movies but, every homeschooling momma know you must get that done! ) So after after many days of relaxing and I realizing that for me it is still possible to hear myself think (which I had truly forgotten about over the last 10 years) I decided to drive to St. Louis to visit my dear Grandma. In BC (before children) times I would actually go visit her and get to give her my undivided attention, but of course when we travel with my kidlets, I always have to attend to their needs, so this trip to visit her was a treat indeed.
About this time, I am starting to get mommy withdrawal. I mean, I can hear myself think, no one is complaining or fighting, and I can eat out without spending a fortune, but my souls starts to ache for my daily hugs and kisses , my eyes start to miss seeing smiling faces and heart longs to have my wonderful family back together again.
So after picking up my sister, we head over to Ohio to visit with my mom for a few days and for me to go and get my babies!! And, what a wonderful reunion it was!!
As I spent a few more days visiting with my mom, sister and brother which was reminiscent of old, old times….(note to self (and my readers) enjoy your love ones because time really does fly by quickly).
Meanwhile, back at home my hubby, who had traveled to San Fransisco for a few days and then to Argentina for about a week, was on his way home and he got back to the house before us on that Sunday morning.
So after saying our goodbyes, we packed up the van and headed home. Hours later the entire Stephen Family was all reunited back together again full of screams, tickles and kisses. It was a nice break full of adventures, but it was great just to be back to our regular ordinary life.
We’ve since then settled in to our last summer month of pure fun in the sun. The kids have been enjoying tons of free time, my house has been cleaner than usually due to my extra free time, and planning for the next upcoming term has been in full effect.
Stay tune to see what adventures await us next!
Way back in April I did two reviews of homeschooling curriculum, which you can see here and here, which were a trial review to be a part of “The Old Schoolhouse” Review Crew” Well I am happy to announce that I have been chosen to be a part of the review crew for this entire school year. So what that means is that I will get to try out curriculum for free and then give my honest report of what my children and I think about the product… Yeh Me!! And, you my readers will get a chance to get an honest review of various homeschooling curriculum through out the school year…Yeh You!! Be on the look out for reviews.
Hi all,
I been quite quiet over here sooooo what have I been up to? Well in a sentence, a bunch of nothing, but busy as a bee! We’ve been traveling to St. Louis. Ohio, Toronto and dear Hubby has had to travel to Argentina for business. We’ve seen a lot of family, done a whole lot of relaxing, the kids have been playing away and we all have been soaking up the summer. But of course, being a homeschooling momma, I have been planning my curriculum plans for the next up coming school year…aaahhh its gone by so fast. But before the fun is over we still have one last trip to Wisconsin Dells for a quick family get-away but after that, back to our formal schooling around here. So how about you guys…how many more weeks until you turn the mode back to more schooling?
