This #ASGLittleLearner review was written in collaboration with Kids Business and ASG. All opinions are solely mine. No monetary payment was exchanged.
Despite the twin ions turning five this year, we made the call much earlier on that we would hold them back a year from starting “big school”.
While they’ve had to say goodbye to some classmates who have gone ahead to the school around the corner, my boys are now the oldest (perhaps, bossiest?) in their Bears class.
I’ve had some mixed reactions from people when I tell them that my boys have stayed on in daycare. Some completely understand, others are busting to tell me what they really think but have been polite enough not to say so.
Although it seems everyone has an opinion on the topic of school readiness, not everyone has a set of identical twin boys.
Regardless, I have never regretted my decision.
Already we’re seeing huge developments. Where my introverted, daydreamer Nunu got a Superstar award earlier last month, K-Bear soon followed in getting his just last Friday.
No doubt, “Big School” will carry with it many complex emotions and circumstances.
The playground can be a vast, scary and intimidating place for a five year old, not to mention the competitive nature of the classroom.
Making friends, finding confidence, being organised – all important foundations for a young school starter but how does a parent begin those discussions?
To help both you and your preschooler in getting school ready, ASG is focused on supporting children’s education – it’s all they do. They’re typically known for their education funds, however this pack is an example of the educational resources they provide.
The fantastic pack includes:
- The Cat in the Hat DVD, containing four episodes from one of Dr Seuss’ most popular characters
- Five hardcover children’s books from highly regarded education consultant, Michael E Bernard, featuring stories on how to get along, confidence, resilience, being organised and persistence
- Membership to MY ASG, an ever-expanding source of articles and resources from parenting experts
- Discounted access to Parentingideas Club, an online parenting centre founded by Michael Grose – one of Australia’s leading parenting experts
- Discounts on all CD’s and DVD’s distributed by Marcom Projects, ASG’s multimedia educational products division
- Discounted health insurance with mediGUARD Heallth Cover, provided by Australian Unity
In reviewing ASG’s Little Learner Pack, K-Bear has became engrossed with the books. His favourite is “Before The School Bell”, which covers the topic of being organised. Something his Mama could also learn a thing or two.
Nunu loves The Cat In The Hat DVD and if allowed would undoubtedly watch it on loop!
Offering more than $180 of value for only $49.95 is a fun and educational gift for children under six years of age.
Like my decision in holding the twinions back a year, I don’t regret introducing them to these great books and DVD.
I won’t be surprised if we read them every night right up until that imminent day when they’ll walk through the big school gates for the first time.
What are your tips to get little ones school ready? Did you hold your kids back a year? Or planning to?
We made the same decision with out man, mainly because I hated being one of the youngest in my year. What an awesome sounding pack. Thanks for sharing x
Cybele @BlahBlah recently posted..Save the date
I don’t think I have a choice in whether I hold bub back. I think the rules now are that if they’re born after June they have to wait til the next year and shes born at the end of July.
Toni @ Finding Myself Young recently posted..7 parenting moments all mums will relate to
They’ve changed it in Queensland, Toni. The cut off is now 31 July.
Renee at Mummy, Wife, Me recently posted..5 man-approved romantic movies for Valentine’s Day
No one can question what you belief is right for your children and it sounds like you made the best choice for your twinions. I didn’t hold back Raffles though he turned five after he started school because he was just so ready. I haven’t regretted it for a minute, he has made loads of friends, sits in the top 10% of his class academically, and is generally thriving. But that doesn’t mean we’re not considering holding back Sugarpuff next year. She is smart as a whip but a very different creature to her brother. She is painfully shy with large groups and I seriously doubt she’ll be ready. We might just invest in one of these packs now and see how the year pans out. Thanks for sharing Grace xx
I didn’t have to think about that. My kids were not near the cut off date so I guess our decision was easy! You’ve got to do what’s best for you and yours. There is no perfect formula … just good mumma instinct!
Leanne @ Deep Fried Fruit
Leanne @ Deep Fried Fruit recently posted..Day 1948 – Fibromyalgia
I have never heard of ASG before. I will have to check them out. Two weeks before the school year started this year, we found out that they changed the cut off dates in Queensland from 30 June to 31 July. I had tonnes of text messages and emails from people telling me to enrol my daughter born mid July 2010. There is no way in hell I was going to spring on her school in less than two weeks time. Other kids had months to mentally prepare for school, buy their uniforms etc. People are still trying to convince me it’s not too late. I am very happy with my decision to hold her back. She will be the oldest in the class and I am grateful for that. She is shy and introverted too and I think this extra year at pre-school will serve her well.
Renee at Mummy, Wife, Me recently posted..5 man-approved romantic movies for Valentine’s Day
Great post Grace and I’m all for keeping your kids back a year. I’ve had one start school this year (he was 5 last October). I um’d and ahh’d about it. At Jacobs school, they follow the Walker Learning approach. Kathy Walker is an educational consultant and has a great book out called Ready, Set, Go. It’s a great read. Did you know that in Europe, kids start school at 6? We are contemplating keeping Harper back a year. x
Neets recently posted..Not Another Frozen Party!
Bugger what anyone else says. You do what you feel is right for your kiddies. Nobody else can possibly know what that is. I actually did the opposite and sent my youngest son to school at 41/2 because he was ready. I had people poo poo that. Then only time I ever questioned my decision was when he was in year 12 and underage. All his friends were 18 and going to pubs and clubs, the bottom dropped out of his social life! He soon caught up though.
I haven’t visited here in a while. I love the new look, Grace. Very classy! I’ve made huge changes to… like a whole new blog! 🙂
Lisa Hill recently posted..What I’m reading: Jasper Jones
If my kids were on the cusp I would ask to hold back but we don’t have the option and if we held back (prep is non-compulsory here) but it’s basically Grade 1 these days as play-based learning only happens at C&Ks etc. I hope they’re going great guns Mama G x
We sent my oldest at 4 1/2, she is now in year 12 and in hindsight that was probably a mistake. She is very capable academically and she is very mature for her age, but she has always struggled a bit socially. Had we held her back I don’t know whether this would have been different, because she has always been on the quiet side. A lot of her friends have their P’s and she is still on her ‘L’s and then their is the issue of legal drinking age…..she seems to spend each party looking after her drunk friends… Their is advantages though, a lot of her friends are abusing alcohol and she is underage so she knows it’s off limits.
Mandy, Barbie Bieber and Beyond recently posted..A New Puppy-Stumble Into The Weekend