 | By: Trish Kuffner Binding: Paperback Publisher: Meadowbrook ISBN: 0671316338 ISBN-13: 9780671316334 Released: 05 Oct 1998 RRP: Average Rating:  |
Designed for the American market, i can get around the spelling differences, but constant reference to graham crackers, contact paper & other americanisms was the first irritation as i was having to semi translate back into english to understand the equipment necessary. This further extended to the over reliance on expensive materials for many activites, Golf ballls, glue guns, zip lock bags i do not have on tap in my house.
Then theres age appropriate activites, the book designed for ages 1.5-3 (audience reading you might jip) has constant reference to cutting with scissors, glueing - activiteis not able to be child led, going against the quote, "process not end product" as the child at that age most likely cannot do the activity even aided.
Food section covers cooking with mostly peanut butter & honey -not thing srecommended generallly for the younger part age group with a brief line on alllergies. Rainy days is again 10 activites revolving around one idea, that being create a squishy mess in a zip lock bag. Water play is a bunch of activities using food colouring. Nursery rhymes -a list of common ones, covering another chapter. Rest of the chapters extended basic ideas of paint in various forms.
Book list at back covers not commonly regarded english toddler books.
It's often said "your child will enjoy" -meaning the authors american child enjoyed personallly. My daughter would not be kept occupied (as suggested) in her cot whilst i showered in the morning with a basket of quiet toys. Neither at 1 in a high chair with a smalll box of raisins whilst I "worked". is this the american idea of 50s england? not a reality.
Tempera paint (what is that?), popsickle sticks, card milk cartons - it'd be permenant translation & adaptation to another market.
Ask your child the question "where does god sleep?" as an "out & about activity -this american idea of pre school support or home ed is too far removed for english parents to find practicallly useful on alll levels.
A huge disapointment beyond the basic level that the activites are nothing more than common sense to most intelligent parents used to smalll children.
Suggest for more useful activites take a simple look around your home & outdoors & follow childs interests, perhaps looking at Dorothy Einon Creative Play or Teaching Montessori in the Home: Pre-school Years as a better resource.
A lot of the stuff is a little Americanised but you can still adapt it.
The only problem is finding time to read it!
The author has managed to pull together another huge range of interesting, exciting, educational & fun activities for you to do with your bored pre-school child - without the need for sunny weather or expensive pieces of 'kit'. She gives invaluable advice on how to collect a box of cheap bits & bobs for use in the activities. I particularly love her idea of a 'Crazy Jar' - a jar of activities printed on smalll pieces of paper that your pre-school child can select from & enjoy on their own, without the need for lots of your supervision, messy preparation or cleaning up afterwards. Perfect for when you need your hands free for a while, like when preparing meals or looking after a younger child. A truly great book - I'd buy it if it cost twice the price!!
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