The ABC’s, 123’s, and Everything In Between!
As a mom, it often feels like I’m juggling a million things, and there’s always that sneaky little voice in my head whispering, “You’re dropping the ball somewhere!” Whether it’s carving out enough quality time for each kiddo, helping with homework, or just being there to listen, I’m constantly second-guessing myself. But one area where I definitely think I could’ve done better is in the early education of my twins. I thought I was doing right by enrolling them in Moms Day Out to get them socializing, then PreK3 and PreK4 to get the academic wheels turning. But when Kindergarten rolled around, they were still behind the curve.
Then, I look at my sister with her little ones and think, “How does she do it?!” She started her kids at an awesome daycare, sure, but it’s the magic she works at home that blows my mind. I mean, my four-year-old nephew is over here spelling words with ABC-shaped chicken nuggets! Why didn’t I think of something *that* genius?! She’s constantly taking them to the library, and they absolutely *love* reading. Meanwhile, I’m just over here trying to find a moment to breathe. Time? What’s that? But I’ll take those sweet FaceTime calls where they proudly show off what they’ve learned. The joy in their eyes is totally priceless.
Being a mom is a pressure cooker of expectations. We want to raise the best, brightest, most compassionate, loving little humans. And that all starts with the basics. We’ve shifted our focus over the years because, honestly, the literacy rates are climbing like a roller coaster—and we can definitely help slow that ride down by starting early. If your little one knows their ABCs, basic sight words, and 123s, they’re going to start school already ahead of the game. And that head start is a big deal in helping them stay on track throughout their academic journey. Plus, it’s a win for everyone—helping literacy rates go *down* and confidence go *up*.
As parents, we’ve got to do our part to support our kids at home, even if daycare or school does their thing. A little extra push goes a long way. So, let’s get back to the basics!
Happy learning, everyone!
Amy Foreman
Publisher
Email amy@frg.inc to tell me about topics you’d like to see in future issues.
Weekly Newsletter: Are you subscribed yet? Click here to subscribe
http://www.birminghamparent.com
http://www.facebook.com/BirminghamParent
http://www.instagram.com/birminghamparentmagazine