Help! I’m having trouble using CullensAbcs.com or the DIY Online Preschool! Ok, just follow these simple steps to try and find what went wrong.
1. Check JavascriptIf you can see this text, you have Javascript disabled.
First of all, make sure you have Javascript enabled. CullensAbcs.com makes intensive use of Javascript throughout every section, specially the Kindergarten Evaluation Review (KRE). If Javascript is disabled
please go here to get instructions on how to enable it on your browser.
2. Are you using Internet Explorer 6, 7 or 8?
CullensAbcs.com has been built using the latest web technologies. This allows for great flexibility on how we present you our video library and content, but it also means the site won’t give its best unless you are using a modern browser. We are no longer supporting Internet Explorer 6 and 7, and support IE8 only up to a certain degree. If you are using some of these older versions, we strongly encourage you to install an up-to-date browser such as
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3. Get in touch
If you have found an error that is not fixed by going over these two simple steps, it’s possible that we need to take care of it personally. Get in touch with us at cullensabcs[at]gmail[dot]com and let us know about the problem in as much detail as possible. Include your email address and username, your browser’s details and any other information you feel it’s significant. A screenshot would help too! We’ll get to work on it and let you know when it’s solved.
Kindergarten Evaluation Review
I am trying to use the KRE, but the link doesn’t seem to be working?
1) Create a new evaluation with your child’s name and birth date. When presented with the Overview Screen, click on the Continue to the Evaluation button. That should get you started and enable the Evaluation link for you.
2) Try resuming an existing evaluation, if you have one already. Resuming skips the overview screen altogether.
3) If none of these seem to work, try using the KRE with a different browser: the latest version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox.
I’m seeing duplicate entries on my KRE tests
We are aware of a bug that may duplicate your tests: if you find it, please get in touch with us at cullensabcs[at]gmail[dot]com with your email address and username. We’ll fix your evaluation, and you’ll be helping us to prevent it from happening to other users!
What’s the link to a specific question on the KRE?
At this time there’s no direct URL to any KRE section. You can navigate through it using the on screen controls, but your browser’s Back button won’t work. If you refresh the page by accident or willingly, you will be taken back to the start screen. However, your progress won’t be lost: just click on the evaluation name you were doing and continue were you left it.
How do I save my Evaluation?
Evaluation are auto-saved anytime you answer a question. If you leave an evaluation unfinished, you can go back later and all your answers will still be there for you.
What is Cullen’s Abc’s Online Preschool?
Cullen’s Abc’s Online Preschool is a preschool program that is taught at home or any other suitable location. Miss Cullen, of the popular Cullen’s Abc’s educational and entertaining videos, guides the class by talking directly to the children through interactive videos. You (moms, dads, caregivers, homeschoolers, nannies, babysitters) act as Miss Cullen’s in-room teacher’s helper and are prompted to pause the video and personally lead the children in hands-on developmental activities.
Why is it needed?
The Online Preschool offers a valuable at-home program to prepare children for school if you do not have the option to enroll your children in a traditional preschool, choose to homeschool or desire to supplement your child’s traditional preschool experience. Unfortunately, in many countries, a low cost high-quality traditional preschool program is not offered at the national level. In the United States it is estimated that over 33% of four year olds do not attend preschool and the percentage is even larger globally. The Online Preschool addresses this need.
What age? How many can I help teach? Do I need experience?
The preschool activities are enjoyed by children from 2 to 5 years old. You can create a preschool class for only one child or for several children. If you are going to create a preschool class for several children, consider using a 4 to 1 child-to-teacher helper ratio. You do not need past teaching experience. As the teacher helper, you can learn from Miss Cullen’s teaching expertise and the “
Setup your Preschool” steps. You may even find that you have an ambition to teach!
How do I get started?
First, join the Online Preschool for free and go through the free “
Setup your Preschool” steps. Miss Cullen guides you in several short setup videos on the why’s and how’s of setting up your preschool program. Also, you learn the purpose and benefits of each preschool activity you can choose to do.
Can I just do a preschool activity, rather than starting an entire preschool?
Why is a schedule and a routine needed, and what is the difference?
The schedule is made or set by you, while the routine is the physical execution of the schedule that children get used to. Schedules and routine allow children to learn what will or will not happen next. Children desire and need to know what’s coming next. A regular routine builds confidence in preschool age children, because they know what is coming next and realize what is expected of them. This helps build trust between you and your child. A schedule will help young children begin to understand that their needs will be taken care of on a regular basis. If your child has too many unknowns, you may see anxiety building up and they may act out by having emotional reactions to the inconsistency.
So when you start your preschool, it is important to hold class on the same days every week, start each day at the same time, and always maintain the same order of the activities in your daily schedule. You will have to be flexible to allow for special days that routine changes and that is ok, but special days should not happen on a regular basis. When there is going to be a change to the schedule tell your child ahead of time so they will be prepared and have less anxiety.
What do I need?
The most important aspect of your preschool program is your dedication and time. Please allow yourself up to 45 minutes of prep time to gather all of the materials, videos and printouts you will need each day. Most supplies I recommend you will most likely have around your house; however there may be a few low-cost items you may need to pick up before you begin your preschool day.
How do I prepare for a day of Preschool?
There are short videos showing you how to prepare for most activities; these are called “prep videos”. In the prep videos, Miss Cullen discusses how to do the activity, lists supplies needed, explains how to use the activity with different ages of children, suggests words and phrases that can be used with children while doing the activity, and explains what skills are being developed from the activity.
What Preschool Theme do you suggest I start with?
I have four “starter themes” a new “Teacher Helper” should use to start their preschool;
Bugs,
Weather,
Space and
Animals. These starter themes provide much more guidance, instruction and interaction with Miss Cullen, so a Teacher Helper becomes comfortable with how the Online Preschool works, and their own schedule and routine. Once you complete these four starter themes you will be prepared to take a bigger role in the classroom and can choose from any of the other
themes or you can do This Week’s Theme! These themes do not feature customized videos for each activity. Instead, they have an interactive song introduction from Miss Cullen, and the Teacher Helper leads the activity from there. For each activity there is a detailed activity description, skills developed, materials needed, and some days even have additional games, prep videos, and music.
When can I start?
You can start your preschool any time! By design there isn’t a school calendar you must follow; however I do have a monthly calendar of suggested themes if you’d like to use it as a guide. When you are ready to start, review Miss Cullen’s “
Preschool setup videos.” If after viewing the videos, there’s something that you don’t understand, you can email Miss Cullen.
What kind of preschool program is the online preschool based on?
Cullen’s Abc’s Online Preschool is based on a developmental program. It is designed to be flexible so you can help children at their own developmental stage. You may choose to start with activities that your child can build on and learn more about. Go to “Do Just a Little Bit” and start doing activities based on your child’s needs; it is not a rigid program requiring that every step be followed. In the program, skills that are developed and built upon include: These skills include: cognitive, social, emotional, physical, language, and math & counting. You may wish to use Cullen’s Abc’s free Kindergarten Readiness Evaluation to see what skills your child should work on. Also, you may search all of Miss Cullen’s videos by topic and skills developed!
What skills does the curriculum build on and develop?
Does the online preschool replace a traditional preschool?
No, Cullen’s Abc’s Online Preschool is not intended to replace a traditional live preschool. If your child does not have the opportunity to attend preschool or you choose to homeschool, this program can be used to support your child’s development.
Can the online preschool supplement a traditional preschool my child is attending?
Yes! While it is not intended to be a substitute for a traditional preschool program, it can certainly augment the curriculum your child receives from a traditional preschool. You can use the online preschool on the days that your child does not go to school. All of the activities are entertaining and educational, so they are great for you to do with your child.
Support Questions?
Please
email Miss Cullen your send your support questions
here.
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