"Teach Me Mommy"
by Jill Dunford
hosted by Sue Spataro
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Sue:

Jill Dunford, the author of Teach me Mommy, felt this way 25 years ago. She and her husband were concerned that her children wouldn't have the time or space to really develop into the people they ere meant to be- in a nutshell they wouldn't have the opportunities to foster a good self image and to learn the way that was best for THEM.

Jill developed a home nursery school which met her children's' needs and interests. Now, with her book Teach Me Mommy, all parents can easily tailor a preschool program right at home!

Teach Me Mommy is a step by step themed book that gives parents lessons that will teach their preschoolers in a fun and relaxed way.  The book is simple to use and includes crafts, book recommends and topics to cover that are perfect for the preschooler.   Each day's plan offers specific ideas for:

• what to talk about
• books to read to kids
• songs and fingerplays to act out
• crafts and activities to do together
• treats you and the kids can make

Jill includes a listing called "standard equipment" to have on hand, ideas of teaching aids you can buy or make, a listing with outlines for holidays like Mother's and Father's Day, all the recipes in the book, and a weekly outline chart to make schedules and plan ahead.

Teach Me Mommy is a tremendous resource for parents and their children to learn and have fun together!

Thanks Jill for chatting with me today : ).

Sue:
I love the layout of your book Mommy Teach Me. You organized the book into themes giving the parent a complete listing of books, crafts, foods, and other ideas to teach subjects like shapes, weather, and even holidays. What inspired you to write this wonderful preschool activities book?

Jill:
As we continued to have "home nursery school," a number of my friends and neighbors became interested because we were having so much fun. They kept asking me for lesson plans and ideas, and it finally became easier to just put it all together. This is actually the third revision - I keep getting new book and activity ideas.

Sue:
Your book is perfect for "home nursery school". How do you see parents using this book?

Jill:
The book can be used in so many ways. Of course, it's mainly meant for mothers to use in teaching their own children. However, my daughter-in-law has started several play groups where they live in Kentucky, where the mothers are taking turns using the book and the children are going to a different home each time. I also have a friend who works full time and spends Saturday mornings doing a week's synopsis. The most important thing about the book is it is set up to be flexible!

There are many choices in each unit, so you can do some one year and
others the next. That way, you are adapting to the age of your child in
each learning situation.

Sue:
You and your husband made a conscience decision to teach your preschooler at home as opposed to attending a preschool program out of the house. What led to this decision ?

Jill:
This is really answered in Chapter One, but, in a nutshell, we found that the really important things we wanted our children to learn were not really available in commercial schools - things like self-esteem, skills using scissors, crayons, etc., and a general knowledge of the world. We also had the opportunity to teach them important values and ideals.

Sue:
How do you answer parents who might ask, " But what about the socialization the kids would get at an "out of the house" nursery school program?

Jill:
You know, I honestly thing that our children did better not having the outside socialization until they entered school. We have a tendency to push our children into some sometimes frightening and unknown situations, when they really are not ready for them. Preschoolers often end up coping by becoming bullies or whiners. If they are not as far along either physically or socially as the other children, they can really suffer in the self-esteem area. This lack of self-esteem can have a devastating affect on their future socialization. One of the things that our children's teachers have all said through the years is how well-balanced and confident our children are.

Sue:
It sounds like you are an advocate of homeschooling your preschooler : ). What are the benefits of teaching your preschooler at home?

Jill:
Yes, yes. I honestly think that those years were such great ones. And they came to look upon Mommy (and Daddy) as sources of instruction and encouragement. They learned so many things about the world. The book is set up to go from themselves (Chapter Three) on out into the World Around Us (Chapter 26), so when they are done, they really have had some wonderful experiences.

Sue:
And did you decide to continue home education beyond the preschool years?

Jill:
No we didn't and for several reasons: First we have had great schools in the different areas where we have lived, and second, I firmly believe that at some point, it is important for children to learn to get along with the demands and expectations of other adults (and children). There are certain lessons to learn in dealing in these situations which are necessary in dealing with the rest of their lives. Also, the home schooling materials were not as developed 25 years ago as they are today. Perhaps I would have made different decisions if the curriculum available now, had been available then.

Excerpt from:
Teach Me Mommy:
A Preschool Learning Guide
Chapter 3 ME AND MYSELF

Day 1 MY NAME AND AGE
(an excerpted section of MY NAME AND AGE)

Materials:

• Tape Recorder and tape
• Plain paper
• Glue

Projects:

• Growth Chart:
  commercial or homemade (48 inches x 5 inches strip of newsprint, paper measuring tape, glue) growth chart.
• Birthday Cake:
  pattern for each child cut from white construction paper, paper candles, crayons
• Name Plates:
  white construction paper, crayons
• Tape Recording
  In advance make a tape recording reciting lots of different children's names.   When your child hears his name, he should stand up.  Then have the recording give directions of something to do after hearing his name: "John, march around", or "Jennifer, jump up and down," etc.  have him follow the directions.
• Name writing
  If he isn't already doing it, now is a good time for him to learn to write his name.  Start by writing the child's name in large letters, both upper and lower case.   Have him trace the letters several times.  Then have him practice writing each letter individually.  (it's more fun if the child can use a different colored crayon for each letter).
• Talk about what "birthday" means,
  and how we measure his age.  Ask him, "How old are you?"  and help him respond.
• Show pictures of the child at different ages.
  Kids always love to talk about themselves as babies.
• Story Telling
  Help the child tell a story about himself: " Once upon a time, there was a little boy/girl named  ________, who was ________ years old," etc. Help him include facts about himself, and the things he likes to do. Sometimes, it helps for you to tell a story about the child first, so he understands the idea.

Meet the Author
June Oberlander
"Slow and Steady, Get Me Ready"
The How to Book That Grows with Your Child
hosted by Joe Spataro
interview with FREE excerpts


She is a retired Kindergarten teacher who taught kindergarten for 19 years in Fairfax County Public Schools in Virginia. Her book gives a step-by-step approach on what you should do for your child during the first five years of life. Included in the interview are several excerpts reprinted from the book.

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