Hannah and I have been trying out a sweet Pre-Kindergarten/Kindergarten program from PandaParents called MESSYLEARNING FOR PRESCHOOLERS AND KINDERGARTNERS. This program is designed to be used 2-3 times per week and to take about 30 minutes to complete each day.
The idea behind PandaParents is that many preschool age children are spending too much time behind a screen with programs that focus on “stepping stone curriculum.” Their thought is that many of the stepping stone curriculia focus only on one subject. PandaParents want to provide a unique learning environment with the M.E.S.S.Y. Learning program.
The M.E.S.S.Y. Learning program incorporates reading, math, science, art and other activities all in one course. PandaParents, “We aim to use novel approach that helps in engaging your child while nourishing the “roots” of their brain so they can flourish in adulthood and reap the “fruits” of this early brain building course.”
How Does MessyLearning Work and How Did We Use it??
The first thing we did was to read through the story. For this review, we received the first three months of this curriculum. Story 1 is A Jolly Jingling Journey. Story 2 is Mommy’s Baby…Sweet Dreams Amanda and Scotty Skunk Hears a Scary Sound is the third story.
There are also cute animated videos that go with each story. The workbook pages expand upon the letters, sounds and concepts that were taught in each story. I printed off the workbook pages that focus on writing letters. There were other workbook pages such as the one below that she had to finish the pattern that we just used on the computer screen rather than print it off. Having the physical copy of the workbook including the stickers and other fun activity pages would great add to this program.
What Did We Think?
Hannah has enjoyed the course. I did for the most part as well. We received the digital version of M.E.S.S.Y. Learning, which was fine but I felt like it took away from one of the main ideas behind PandaParents of limited screen time learning. The workbook pages are beautifully colored and engaging but to print them all off would take quite a bit of ink, so we used most of them on the screen instead of as a paper worksheet. However, the good news is that PandaParents is planning to release the physical program later this year! Of course, it takes time and money to get something like this started and so, understandably, they have been raising the money to get the workbooks printed and make them available. The physical books will greatly increase the enjoyment and effectiveness, in my opinion.
The lessons were fun and Hannah enjoyed them without them seeming long or mundain. She appreciates the opportunity to do her school, you know because she thinks she is as big as the others.
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Jennifer
