Getting Ready for Preschool and Winning Lunch Battles #DelMonteBTS

This shop is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group® and Del Monte, but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #DelMonteBTS  http://my-disclosur.es/OBsstV” 

Summer has been so good to us, but I have to admit I’m ready for school to start. I love getting in to the fall routine, even though we sorely miss having my teacher husband at home with us once school starts. This fall the Bear (age 3) and I will be starting home preschool, and we are both crazy excited. I’ll be sharing more as we get the details figured out, but for now I’ll tell you a little about our game plan. Today I’m also sharing one of my strategies for winning lunch time battles as well as a coupon and offer for a free 5×7 photo print perfect for those back to school prints.

The decision to have the Bear start preschool with me at home was an easy one for our family. Our boy loves to learn, and I love to help him discover and be creative. The cost of sending him to preschool is outside our budget constraints, and I’m not ready to give up time with him to school just yet. We plan to keep it simple but to be intentional with learning daily. Here’s our basic plan:

Daily Intentional Learning – I’ll set goals for each month of skills to learn and subjects to cover, but most of our learning will come through play and experience. Nature walks and trips to the zoo, sensory play, puzzles and painting, through all of it he will be learning. Our goal will be to have 20 minutes of reading, 20 minutes of fine motor skill activity, and 20 minutes of gross motor skill activity every day. It won’t be super structured, but it will be intentional.

Healthy Eating – I try to include both kids in meal preparation whenever possible, and this will be a major part of our preschool and totschool experience. They will get to choose their lunches and breakfasts from healthy options and help prepare them. We’ll talk about why it is important to eat certain foods and what they do for our bodies. Options like Del Monte Fruit Burst Squeezers are always a hit with my kids and have a serving and a half of fruit and vegetables in each package. When we pack lunches to take on play dates and to our social outings, I have the kids help choose their options as well. This gives them ownership and helps to quell picky eating demands.

Physical Exercise – We want to be a fit family and help our kids to value physical activity, so active play will be a big part of our day. I’ll be pinning and sharing lots of ideas for how to make this happen creatively.

Social Activity – We already participate in BSF and MOPS, and I’m hoping to connect with a weekly play group this year with kids and mamas to be friends with. I know socialization is important (for the kids and for me) so I’m making this a priority.

I’m nervous and excited about our first year of intentional education with the kids. I really believe that every parent is an educator whether we like it or not, and I just hope to give my kids a childhood full of freedom and learning.

If you love a good deal, head to your local (select) Walmart Super Center to take advantage of a special offer between August 1 and September 13. In the photo center you’ll find a coupon for $1 off Del Monte Fruit Burst Squeezers and Fruit Cups AND a free 5×7 photo print while supplies last. I plugged my phone in to the photo center kiosk and my print was ready in 5 minutes and was totally free. Woohoo!! This deal is perfect for printing that back to school photo or summer memory and saving money on quality lunch and snack options. Get your free print while you shop for school supplies and lunch necessities.

What are you most excited about for this school year?

Follow Becca Eby’s board Preschool Fun on Pinterest.