I just used A Beka as an example. There are MANY non-religious curriculums out there! One thing that may be interesting to you, if you like history, is Story of the World and it's activity book. She (the author) has it set up for different grade levels, but you can use it any time. I've been using that with my kids, and they LOVE it! It has neat stories, and lots of activities---mapping, summaries, making things----all sorts of neat stuff to make history come alive. For your ds you would get the Ancient History one. It has some good readings in it. It's secular, although it may throw in a Bible story for comparison's sake, but it also has some myths and fables---whatever goes with the time period you're studying. It's a great curriculum! Just an idea.......
I second "Hank The Cowdog". I just started reading these to my boys and they LOVE them. My 5 yr old begs me to keep reading at the end of each chapter. The 3 yr old will even usually sit fairly still and listen, a HUGE accomplishment for him! Lisa
Lisa, in a year or two, that 3YO will be listening to books way beyond him!!! Phillip, at 6, has listened to "Treasure Island", "Tom Saywer" and "Little Pilgrim's Progress". I swear it's because I had him sitting and listening when he was teeny! I would let him color while I read, just to keep him busy. Even now, my kids will often color or work on crafts (cross stitch, etc.) when I read.
I read to them sometimes while they're eating lunch, it's much nicer than listening to them pick on each other. I looked up one day and my 1 yr old had fallen asleep in his high chair. The best part is when they turn off the cartoons and ask me to read. Lisa
I read to my kids at lunch sometimes also. I haven't read to them as much lately, but we used to do that regularly---I would read and they would draw or color. Sometimes I though they weren't listening, but they could always repeat what had been read, so after awhile I didn't worry about it anymore. And we went through some great books!
