Why Four Year Olds Need to "Do School"

                For today’s lesson, we counted 100 pennies in groups of 10 and traded them for a dollar bill.

Me: Justin, can you remember what metal is in pennies?

Justin: Copperheads.

Me: A copperhead is a snake. When we talk about a metal, we just say “copper.”

Perhaps he’s heard that verse about the love of money being the root of all evil and associated it with snakes?

Me: Justin, do you remember whose picture is on the penny?

Justin: Abraham Lincoln

Me: Very good.

Justin: “Father Abraham had many sons, and many sons had Father Abraham.”

Me: Different Abraham. This one was a president. Ok, Justin all those pennies in your hand are really heavy and it would be hard to get them all in the store without dropping them so we can trade them for this one dollar bill that will buy the same thing.

Me: Now this one dollar bill also has a picture of a president on it. His name is George Washington.

I lay the one dollar bill on the table perhaps with a bit of flair.

Justin: Slap George Washington.

Too much Slap Jack perhaps?

So there’s a reason to “do school” with your four year old. . . It’s just too funny to skip.

Oh, and certain four year olds need refinement.  

*Justin uses Footsteps for Fours from BJU Press. It's a pretty detailed curriculum if all you really want is a few workbooks to teach colors, numbers, letters, and shapes. For Justin, I wanted all the extra activities for listening skills, vocabulary development, etc.  If you considering it and would like to talk to a mom who has used it, you may contact me.