Introduction (still working on this)
This page is dedicated to educational information for the preschool aged child. It is divided up as follows:
2. Preschool Web Sites for the Children
3. Preschool Web Educational Curriculums For Parents with the Children
4. Preschool Computer Programs
Please click on one of the above to be brought to that section.
This section covers the preschool programs that gifted and non-gifted children enjoy which are located in Ontario. Our experiences as parents of gifted preschoolers has led us to believe that most of these programs would also be of great benefit for the gifted child as well.
Oxford Learning Centres 'Little Readers' Program
Oxford's Little Readers program is a wonderful program which offers individual programs for its students. The small class size, individual attention, and learning oriented environment make this the idea supplement for the preschool aged gifted child. The program is easily adjusted for the gifted child who needs less repetition while still aiming for mastery and challenge. For further information, please visit their web site and contact the director closest to you. As well, I would be more than happy to provide a parent's perspective if you contact me.
If you happen to be located in or near Toronto, and you are looking for an arts program which goes way beyond 'cut and paste' activities, I highly recommend looking into this school. What stikes me most about this program is the work that the children produce -- wonderfully creative, and produced with a variety of mediums. The children themselves have fully completed each piece they so proudly bring home for you to see. Programs are offered for Preschoolers and older children.
Preschool Web Sites for the Children
The section covers those neat web sites which preschool aged children love to explore either on their own, or on your lap. Although a number of preschool aged children can read and do some math, most of the educational material which is covered here is for the child just learning to read and the younger age set. If your child is clearly advanced in reading or such, then please examine some of the other sites listed in the individual 'homework' topics. Of course, even children who are very advanced may still love the fun, cartoon-y material covered here!
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Children can come and click on this site to engage in activities with familiar characters from their favourate TV shows (incl., Arthur, Barney, Between the Lions, Clifford, Zaboomafoo).
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Another site similar to the above which also includes (amongst other things more interesting to the parents), games and activites for your child to do on - line centered around the characters from the following TV shows: Dora the Explorer, Blue's CLues, Franklin, Bob the Builder, and Little Bill (and others).
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Preschool Web Educational Curriculums For Parents with the Children
Ever wonder if there is a homeschooling curriculum for preschoolers? Well, there is. Some of these sites are also listed in the homeschooling page. For parents of gifted preschoolers who are obviously not in school yet, 'homeschooling' is often times synonymous with 'interacting with your child at home', so a pop-over to the homeschooling section would be beneficial.
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From our experience, quite a few of our gifted children seem to have difficulties with their written output. Perhaps this may be due to the disparity between what the brain is capable of processing versus what the hand is able to accomplish. In any case, a number of our members recommend this program in assisting our children with their written output.
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This is a very good program which allows you to print out your own tracing worksheets with your own words for your child. You can download it right from this site and try it before you agree to purchase it. A great hit with my reluctant printer!
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This site has many printable worksheets for your child, and many more craft ideas for you to explore some basic learning skills (colours, shapes, letters, numbers). All of it is free. Also includes links to other sites for Spanish or French worksheets and colouring pages. Free.
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This is an exceptionally well developed site. Lots of pages to print out and activities to do with your preschooler. Organised by theme. Free.
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Another wonderful site which includes many printable pages, great craft ideas, and descriptions of games to engage your preschooler. Organised by theme. Free. |
I will have to admit to being a computer program junkie. It is a weakness of mine. I just love the software available to children now. I am going to list some programs which are off the beaten path for preschool aged children. A trip to your local bookstore (via car or computer) will provide you with ample opportunity to see many different programs out there. It is really up to your preschooler whether they like the chaotic, busy world of Adiboo, or the calmer, methodical world of Reader Rabbit. So do check out your local store. Here is one web site for a product which I have bought and found to be wonderful and unique (which I have not come across in the stores). I will add more as I come across them, or are introduced to them. -- Sheri
Baby WOW This program is for the younger set of children and my two children love to flip through its pages. For those of you who do not prefer to have your children stuck in cartoon land, this CD Rom has only real photographs, is low on extra fancy stuff, but HIGH on learning. Children can choose a variety of tasks and EIGHT languages in which to accomplish them. Worth visiting their web site!
I have also come across a site which lists a variety of software for children and sells them as well. I have yet to buy from them, however, it is a small company, which looks very promising. However, it is based in the USA. Please visit, KidsClick.