Lonnie Said:

Does anyone know where I can find free software for teaching preschool and kindergarteners?

We Answered:

Here's a site with discounted and free software (you just pay shipping) that I use regularly for my classroom software.

http://www.fcdsoft.com/

You will need CD cases because they ship the software in paper sleeves. They can do this because they get the out-of-date stuff and sell factory surplus.

I have never had a problem with them.

For the person who posted just before me... preschool is indeed about socialization, but MANY kids DON'T have computers at home, even in working middle class families (definitely in most poverty homes). Preschool is about preparing for learning in ALL areas, and a good preschool teaches not only socialization, but classroom rules and routine, school tool use, and computers.

Ian Said:

Where do I go to find fun games and quizes for kindergarteners?

We Answered:

I have a 2 year old and we go to Noggin.com, playhouse disney and pbskids for Elmo games. For a kindergartener, these should be easy to play games and learing activites. My kid is to young to work the mouse but she does tell me what to do for her.

Shelly Said:

Need the best educational toy for a Kindergartner .?

We Answered:

as far as the best educational toy ....that would be you or an adult who will answer their questions in a timely manner and read to them on a constant daily basis. the more input they have the more they can learn. as far as a website for them (and they should be playing outside not in front of a computer more than 10 -15 min a day) starfall.com, pbskids.org, etc are some of the best

Edward Said:

What age can kids comprehend/understand that not everyone will win a prize?

We Answered:

These days I doubt many 12 year olds could grasp the concept since so many sport programs have an "YAY, everyone wins!!!!" mentality. I have a hard time understanding this... my daughter will play near my husband when he is watching a sports game on tv and she understands that sometimes his team wins and sometimes his team loses. She likes to watch me play Bingo on pogo.com so she can announce the numbers (it amuses her) and she knows the difference between winning and losing. "Oh mommy, you lost!" and she agrees its okay to lose, we just play for fun to look at the numbers.

The park district in my town and the YMCA both have an everyone wins at everything mentality. They won't even keep score during the game because they don't want to hurt the kid's feelings... it is getting out of control. My nephew is 4 and can hit a pitched ball in baseball no problem. We cannot find a single organization in this whole state who will pitch a ball to kids his age because others would feel bad, so if he wants to play baseball it has to be be t-ball. Why? Why are there no sports programs who let litte kids lose? Why are there no sport programs for little kids who encourage EVERY kid to try harder and get better instead of dumbing the program down so every player can be equal?

Robin Said:

Unschooling a kindergartener?

We Answered:

First who makes the rules and laws on what exactly they have to learn by a certain age? I say pull him out if he isn't thriving in this environment. You are the parent here and you need to do what works for your child. You shouldn't allow society, the school system, or anyone for that matter corner or bully you into thinking that Traditional or special ed classes are best for your son. Do they really know him like you do? I hope you can say NO WAY! Pull him out.


I have a 5 1/2 year old daughter and we do what they call Unschooling. She basically learns everything they learn in a traditional school, but without all the workbooks, testing, crowds, stress, etc.

How do I know she is learning- well that is easy. You can look at my child and really listen to what she talks about and know that she is learning. She is brighter than most of the other 5 year olds that go to schools around here, I hear it all the time from other people that she is bright and knows so much. etc. Plus I just know my daughter well enough and in tune to what she hasn't learned and has. I have become a very good observer. These things come in time. It might have helped that I am a former K-3rd grade Teacher and Preschool Teacher and Director.

I take the time each day to read to her, let her play video games at night with Daddy which she is learning all kinds of math and reasoning skills, cooking and journaling our experiences, taking photos, spending time outdoors and talking and seeing nature, exploring, spending a lot of time on art activities- open ended. Art is all about expressing yourself and not following the rules on this one area. Allow your child to do what they want to do in the area of arts.

I am big on the basics Reading, Writing, and Math, but all the other areas I am more relaxed in. Knowing the basics is very important and they can and will learn it if given the proper tools and guidance.

You don't have to spend a ton of money. Some people homeschool on nothing and other spend a lot. It really depends on what your child likes. For us she loves Art so we spend lots of money on things she enjoys.

Spending quiet uninterrupted time is so very important. This is something that is sorely lacking in the schools these days. I remember the days where I would go to the school library and be able to sit there quietly for atleast 45-1 hour and do nothing, but look at the books. Kids are lucky if they get to visit the school library once a week or every other week and only pick out a few books to take home. Very sad.

People do not know better. They have been brainwashed into believing that Public schools are acceptable. They are not. They are far from acceptable. There are very few good schools out there left. Those you usually find in very small rural towns where they actually treat their neighbors with respect and know how important it is to Love thy neighbor as thyself.

Good luck with your little guy. Do your research. Allow him some time to Deschool. Don't start him onto anything until this next school year. Let him have this time to explore his world and feel free to be a child and to have time to catch up. Don't be in such a rush to "Keep up with the Jones". Life is too short to be worrying about what everyone else is doing and what their kids are doing. Who in the heck cares. You want your child to grow up to be a productive and happy adult. Who in the heck cares if he is in the top 3rd percentile of his graduating class. In the whole scheme of things it doesn't mean a thing. Only shallow people care about those things. Let him a choose a vocation that he will love and enjoy doing when he is older and not push him to do things he has no interest in.

I could go on and on, but I won't.

Let him be a child. They grow up so quickly and you will never get this time back ever again. You have one shot so make it good.

Diane Said:

I need a website for a 5th grader? with games and learning?

We Answered:

Try multiplication.com. If you search for "multiplication games", you'll get lots of other options too.