Antonio Said:

PrePrimary Space activities/colour in worksheets?

We Answered:

Some good websites are:
www.crayola.com
www.highlightskids.com
www.enchantedlearning.com

Richard Said:

Do your children learn about Hanukkah and do Hanukkah related activities at school?

We Answered:

Kids tend to often learn about Hanukkah in school, because it's a misguided attempt to be 'inclusive.' "If we teach about Hanukkah/sing "The Dreydle Song" then it's ok to also bring in Santa Claus and have Christmas decorations/parties. Of course the fact than Hanukkah is a very minor holiday is beside the point. (I've never known of a school to teach about Passover, or the high holy days.) I'm going to guess that your 7 year has actually not learned anything about Judaism -- just some basics about this one holiday. ("They eat potato pancakes, light candles, get presents, and play a game with a top. It's what Jews celebrate instead of Christmas.")

A few years ago, Ramadan fell in late December. And all the schools were suddenly teaching about Ramadan too. The next year, the holiday moved up a couple of weeks ... and no mention.

Actual courses about religion are usually taught in conjunction with history classes. So, until your child begins studying world history, he probably won't learn anything about Buddhism or Hinduism. [It's assumed that he knows about Christianity. My high school aged daughter came home last year asking me what the Trinity was ... her world cultures textbooks assumed that all the students already about it. (She's Jewish, and so only has minimal 'cultural' knowlege about Christianity.)

Alvin Said:

Any good babysitting ideas?

We Answered:

well in my years of babysitting ive have found that most kids even teens love the park so if you have a park near your home try that and also if u have a pool swimming or playing in a sprinkler interests most. but if u mix up there schedule like monday be park day, tuesday pool day ETC don't keep doing the same thing all the time that's how they get bored too fast of one thing. kids nowadays are all addicted to the t.v there's nothing you can really do that wont make them mad. blame Society for that one!!

Samantha Said:

Preschool lesson help for 1st day...?

We Answered:

On our first day, we had sort of a treasure hunt throughout the building so that they could become familiar with everything in it. I placed clues everywhere we went and we read them together to guide us from place to place, ending up back at our kitchen where snack was waiting for us.

We also played games to learn each other's names. We sang a song called Busy Busy Bumblebee. It doesn't really have a tune. Just sort of a sing-song speaking
Busy busy bumblebee
Who can say their name for me? (point at a child)
(child says name)
Let's say Haley. (all say Haley in normal voice)
Let's clap Haley (all say the name and clap with the syllables)
Let's shout Haley (all shout the name)
Let's whisper Haley (all whisper the name)
Repeat for each child

That and just learning the routine and rules took most of the time we had the first day! Of course, we also had free play in our centres so that I could observe the children, get to know them, and find out their interests for planning future projects, lessons, and activities.