TOT SCHOOL: LAPBOOKING OUR WAY TO SUCCESS

Since I have become a full time stay-at-home mom, I have decided to start using my background as a preschool teacher to start teaching Bammy at home. I knew that because he was only two years old, I wanted to start out with the basic learning concepts: colors, numbers, shapes, and letters. I knew that I didn’t want to go the traditional route of teaching him these concepts, so I started doing a little bit of research into alternative forms of education.

That’s when I discovered the world of lapbooking and I have been hooked ever since.

What is lapbooking?

Lapbooking is a form of teaching that a lot of homeschoolers have been using for years. It is compromised of a basic file folder, that has been refolded, and filled with a lot of mini educational books, flaps, flashcards, writing materials, and games.

Why have I chose to use lapbooking?

I chose to use lapbooking with Bam because I wanted him to learn through hands on activities. Lapbooking is about as hands on as you can get. Each lapbook is filled with educational items that he can use to learn different concepts on a daily basis. I feel that children learn better by “doing” rather than “seeing.” Through all my years of teaching preschool I have learned and observed firsthand that when children are allowed to do they learn a lot faster.

Where do you get the materials for a lapbook?

There are several great websites online (in which I will provide the link to in later installments of this series) that provide material for getting started in lapbooking. I also like to create my own lapbook learning materials as well. I observe Bam and what he likes to do, as well as incorporate age appropriate learning materials, into each and every one of his lapbooks. By creating a lot of my own lapbooking materials I get to flex my creative side while personalizing his lapbook to his age and taste.

What do you need to get started lapbooking?

Lapbooking is one of the fastest, as well as cheapest, ways of teaching your tot at home. Everything that you need to get started can be purchased online or at mass retailers right in your own city. Here are the basic items that I use when I create my lapbooks:

• Scotch Thermal Laminator – This is a very affordable laminator (just under $30) and it’s really sturdy.
• Smead colored file folders – I buy these in a 12 pack for just $3.99. (I chose colored folders because younger children respond more positively to bright colors.)
• Multi-color construction paper.
• Double stick tape.
• Regular scotch tape.
• Peel & Stick library pockets – I purchase these if I don’t feel like making my own.
• Stapler.
• Scissors.
• White cardstock paper.
• Printer.
• Glue stick.

And that’s it! During the next two weeks, I will walk you through the inner workings of planning a lapbook, gathering the materials, constructing the lapbook, and then using it to aid you in teaching your own tot at home. Lapbooking has proven to be a lifesaver when teaching my own toddler. They are convenient (they can be stored anywhere), compact, and once you are done you can file them away to be used later on or with another younger child once they reach age.