At home preschool activity

We have been lucky enough to participate in the Utah Upstart program with our two oldest children. While I don't always follow through on activities as I'd like, I appreciate the reminder of things I can with him. 

 

Have you had a chance to read “Baby’s Birthday” yet? If not, you can visit www.utahupstart.org/kids-corner/ to read the book with your child. After you’ve read the book with your child, you may want to participate in either or both of the activities below to ensure understanding and enhance your child’s learning experience.

Sum Up—one way to sum up is to answer two questions:

Who is the story about?

What Happened?

In this story, we could ask:

Who had a birthday?

(A baby monkey.)

What happened?

(The baby monkey celebrated his birthday. He received a ball, a balloon, and a bunny. He also had a birthday cake, a bottle, and some bananas.)

Creative Writing—after reading “Baby’s Birthday”, show your child some birthday cards.

Help you child write down some words you might expect to find on a birthday card (e.g., “Happy Birthday,” “I like you,” “Have a fun day”). Place the list of words in your child’s workspace, along with the appropriate paper and writing supplies. Then invite your child to design his or her own birthday card (this activity can be a great creative outlet for your child, as well as something special he or she can do for a special person).

Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace Revisited

I didn't like this one as well as Total Money Makeover, it was a much slower read and just not as "hands-on" applicable information for finances, but I did learn a couple things, these are the notes I jotted down as I read:

-page 30 (haha, not sure what it was, but if I ever need to reference it again...at least I'll remember the page!)
-sinking fund: payments in reverse (p. 118)
-3 to 6 month emergency fund
-Proverbs 21:20 "There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up."
-compound interest: let it work for you through savings (not against you via debt)
-investments: mutual funds (p. 128)
-high deductible insurance, save on monthly premiums (p. 131) We're on one now and it's great other than when there's a bigger medical expense (like maternity) then suddenly it feels like you are spending SO much on medical bills! But it probably is worth it in the long run, since we have an HSA (health savings account that we and the employer put money in pre-tax) and we haven't paid monthly premiums...it's just different when you are used to HMOs that often are 80/20 after a small co-pay.
 

Chicken Soup with Rice

Great book to teach children about the months of the year. Good repetition. My 3 year old loved it.