If you’re new here, you may not know that I used to be a First Grade teacher. Yep! Before I had Addie, I was a teacher and absolutely loved it. God had other plans for my life, but I have kept so many of my favorite activities and modalities of learning in my back pocket for the kids. One of my favorites? ABCmouse.
When I taught First Grade, I loved when my students had time to learn in various stations. It gave them time to enjoy activities with peers, learn in fun and creative ways, and just do something other than sitting at a desk. Not surprisingly, the iPad station was always the hottest commodity. ABCmouse was the favorite website for my students to play on, because it helped spark a love of learning and truly instilled confidence in reading, math, science, art, and their colors. ABCmouse has a large selection of puzzles and games, and I loved that I could monitor my students’ success.
Although I’m no longer a teacher, my role has shifted to being a work-from-home mom to my disabled daughter, Addie, and my near-3-year-old, Lawson. Trying to get my work done while also simultaneously taking care of Addie and keeping Lawson entertained isn’t easy. I found myself struggling to get everything on my list for the day checked off unless I turned on the tv. I’m absolutely not opposed to having a tv on for Lawson, but it was becoming to the point where it was on more than it wasn’t. We needed something different.
I wondered if Lawson was old enough for ABCmouse and sure enough- he was! ABCmouse is for 2-8 year olds, and with Lawson being nearly 3, it was perfect. We got a subscription and it made me happy that as he progressed with his ABCmouse skills, it levels up automatically to continue to meet his learning needs and interests. Can I get an amen?! Right now Lawson is following a step-by-step Learning Path that guides him through activities and motivates him with fun Tickets and Rewards. Studies have shown that when kids participate in ABCmouse for just 45 minutes a week they show significant learning gains. I’m already seeing Lawson progress so much in his learning in the short amount of time he’s been using it!
I’m absolutely happy to pay that so Lawson can learn, I can get work done quickly or tend to Addie’s needs, and he can enjoy himself without a tv. He’s able to play on ABCmouse independently and I’m so glad he is enjoying himself. It’s a win-win situation for us all!
Awesome!
I know you aren’t a contracted, paid teacher anymore, but you are still definitely teaching! You are teaching your children, you are teaching people about essential oils, even though that’s kind of back burner now because of the other reason you are a teacher, which is that you are teaching hundreds of people and children through your wonderful book, Authentically Addie. “You are a born teacher!” My friend once told me that while I was a stay-at-home mom, and I thought, “No way am I a born teacher!” But lo and behold, about 5 years later, I was teaching 7th grade and I taught for 25 years! I predict you will be teaching, one way or another, for the rest of your life. (I’m retired now, but guess what? I’m teaching my grandkids during the pandemic! Once a teacher, always a teacher!) ❤