Amazing Resources For Teaching Your Early Learners Holistically

• Finding the resources for teaching early learners is crucial. How often do you find yourself being bombarded with tons and tons of RESOURCES that promise the best results for accomplishing the goal of teaching the whole child? I am referring to early education concepts, social/emotional, physical, spiritual, creative and cultural integrations. These fundamental points are the basis for identifying resources for teaching early learners.

• I have tested the waters and found resources that touch on each fundamental for your early learner. With daily practice using some of these resources your child will establish a foundation that can set them up for future success in this world. Parents are the key factor in these resources being successful. Your participation is crucial so be sure to set aside 15 to 30 minutes to bond with your child daily.

• If you are interested in learning more about holistic development please read my Guide To Successful Child Development With Parent Support. Here you will learn about the fundamentals of growing your whole child.

This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase using this link. Please see my disclosure for more information.

---

Teaching My Early Learner And Feeling Discouraged?

• Where do I start? Do I know what I am doing? I ask myself these same questions on occasion, but hopefully you will find comfort in knowing your kiddos do not expect us to be perfect. As long as they have opportunities to play, learning will happen.

• Finding resources that make learning fun and easy as this is key. The best feeling is when my kiddos ask me to take a moment to sit with them to do an ‘activity’ as we call them. I am reassured in these moments which gives me a boost to continue.

• Commit to 15 to 30 minutes a day doing something with your kiddo. Again the value of one on one time can not be replaced with their favorite character in a cartoon. You will be surprised by how much your child learns in this uninterrupted parent/child time. Make this time about bonding and to focus on your kiddos interests. Learning your child’s interests will help guide you on where to start.

For instance, my little one loves nature. We explore nature as a family (social/emotional and physical) and use his handy dandy magnifying glass to look for treasures in nature. We discuss how nature is created (spiritual). My family collects and identify the rocks or flowers we find (intellect). His many nature related books are useful with identification. Once his collection of treasures is complete we plan to make a nature collage (creative). You can also use this time to discuss culture integration by observing flowers and the beauty in their differences. Now you have a reference for discussing differences in the world.

Every moment is a teaching moment!

Are There Resources To Help 

Teach My Early Learner?

There are SO many products available that can be useful in teaching your child what they need to know. The goal is to create healthy and productive humans. The question is how do we do this and where do we begin. The holistic approach is a guide to successful child development with parent support, the parts of a child that need attention and growth but we can use anything we want to accomplish our goal.

The problem is some of them are not suited for your parenting style. Most parents are juggling many task with one hand tied behind their back. How do we find the right fit for our family? Some of the best resources are those that are quick, easy, and can be done anywhere. Check out the below resources for teaching early learners.

As a mom, from time to time, I become overwhelmed looking through the mass amount of resources available for small children. I was able to power through and found some resources that did the trick. Some resources were found by accident, through other parents, and through massive amounts of research. However they were found, I am glad I am able to introduce these resources to you.

Best Resources For Teaching 

Your Early Learners Holistically

Intellectual Resources

1. Leap Frog Letter Factory: DVD

1. Leap Frog Learning Collection

1. City Shapes

1. Learning Wrap-ups Kindergarten Math Learning Palette Base Center Kit

1. Learning Palette Reading Alphabet

Spiritual Resources

1. Book of Virtue

Physical Health Resources:

• LAVA Sport Balance Bike

1. Curious George Discovers Germs

1. Curious George Discovers: The Senses

1. Let’s Make Yoga Magic

Social/Emotional Resources:

1. The Invisible Boy by Trudy Ludwig

1. The Rabbit Listened by Cori Doerrfeld (Dolly Parten-Free Resources (add link)

1. My Mouth is A Volcano by Julia Cook

1. How do Dinosaurs Play with their Friends

1. Strictly No Elephants by Lisa Mantchev

1. Carson Dellosa Kid-Drawn Emotions Bulletin Board Set

Creative Resources:

1. Benelet Wooden Musical Instruments Set for Children

1. Welcome to the Symphony: A Musical Exploration of the Orchestra Using Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 by Carolyn Sloan

1. ArtWorks For Kids by Evan Moor

Cultural Integration Resources:

1. All Are Welcome by Alexandra Penfold

1. This is how We Do It: One Day in the Lives of Seven Kids from Around the World by Matt Lamothe

Where Can I Find Planning Resources For Teaching Early Learners?

Many free or low cost web based resources are available to make the planning process smooth and less time consuming. I prefer resources that are straight forward, no or low cost, minimal mess and easy prep. Below you will find web based resources to support you as you come up with creative ideas to engage your child’s growing mind, body, and soul.

The Global Montessori Network

• It would be great if we could use the same play book with every one of our children. Unfortunately and fortunately that is not the case and every child is equipped with their own personality, interest and needs. I am learning my youngest baby is more independent and wants to do everything without assistance. The Montessori approach seems to be best suited for her. Here is a resource for you to explore.

How Do I Engage My Early Learners During The Pandemic?

• Starfall: Starfall is a children’s website that teaches basic English reading and writing skills. The main demographic is preschoolers, and kindergarteners. It teaches children how to read by using games and phonics. (FREE)

• Storyline Online:  A children’s literacy website created by the SAG-AFTRA Foundation, which provides free storytelling videos and resources for parents and teachers to foster a love of reading in children.

• Brain Pop Jr.: Animated Educational Site for Kids – Science, Social Studies, English, Math, Arts & Music, Health, and Technology. (Some FREE Resources)

• Education.com: Bring learning to life with thousands of worksheets, games, and more from Education.com. (FREE Membership)

• ABCya.com: A website that provides educational games and activities for school-aged children. The games on the website are organized into grade levels from pre-kindergarten to Sixth grade, as well as into subject categories such as letters, numbers, and holidays.

• My family was ready for 2020 with plans to enroll my kiddos in swim lessons, piano lessons, foreign language lessons and martial arts. For obvious reasons these plans have drastically changed. Regardless of the current climate we have found an alternative with Activity Hero to help meet some of those needs. I am really excited about the many options available to keep my early learner actively learning and exposed to new experiences.

• Super coloring: Through the process of drawing and coloring it triggers the mind to be unique and creative. You will find an abundance of coloring page in different categories. (FREE)

• abc jesus loves me: Offers intentional learning. Choose the (FREE) basic version curriculum for family use. This resource offers Bible-based materials so you can spend less time planning and more time being intentional.

• ABC Teach: This resource is a membership based site, however, you can also find an abundance of (FREE) resources.

• Imagination Library: Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is a book gifting program that gifts (FREE) books to children from birth to age five in participating communities within the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and Republic of Ireland.

Although it can be difficult to shuffle through all of the resources available for parents, there is nothing better than finding something that truly works. How precious is the time we get to spend with our little ones as they learn and explore the world around them. Before you know it we will have to allow them to continue their journey on their own so value and appreciate these early years.

If you are ready to jump in but not sure what goes into a holistic approach to teaching your ‘whole’ child please read The Guide to Successful Child Development with Parent Support. Here you can learn more about your ‘whole’ child and where to start with identifying resources for teaching your early learners.

If you are in the stage of actively teaching your early learner and are interested in the holistic approach please comment below and let me know what resources you are using or have used.