Homeschool Preschool

Have the time of your life!

fingerpaint

I have seen and heard quite a few questions about how to homeschool preschool on forum boards and in meetings lately.

It seems that many families are looking into homeschooling as an option before their children are even school age. For that, I am thrilled! However, many of these same families seem interested in “doing school at home” with these young sweeties. Please don’t feel like that is necessary. Let them be the naturally curious learning sponges that they are.

Preschool education in the United States is relatively new. In 1970, only 20% of three and four year olds participated in what we would consider pre-school. Preschool - History And Demographics Until recently, most parents never considered "homeschooling preschool" they just taught things as they came up naturally through daily life or play.

There is more than enough time for those “workbooks from Wal-Mart” that everyone mentions. (Even then, we’re not into the workbook scene much – and my kids are older.)

I was a preschool “teacher” for several years and parents would always ask me what they could do at home to help their children succeed. Basically, my answer was spend quality AND quantity time with them.

Here are a few homeschool preschool ideas to foster a love of learning in your children without getting bogged down in workbooks and a strict school schedule.

Talk about EVERYTHING!
Don't be afraid to use "big" vocabulary words. Of course, the subject matter and descriptions will become more detailed as the child gets older.

Ask open ended questions.
These are questions that require more than a one word answer. Instead of “How was Sunday school today?” Which may elicit, “Good.” Ask, “Tell me the story you heard in Sunday school today.”

Read alot!
Snuggle on the couch and spend time with books. Several times a day for a short time each if you can. Ask your librarian for suggestions. Even if it takes 3 or 4 sittings to finish a great book like Blueberries for Sal - that ok. Don't force him to sit there until the end. For more on teaching preschool reading click here.

Count things.
Anything. Stairs, Cheerios, steps to the mailbox.

Sing songs/recite nursery rhymes.
Old favorites like: Rain, rain, go away. Old Mc Donald. Jack and Jill (my fave). If you can't remember many, get a book from the library.

Play rhyming games.
You come up with the words to just repeat over and over. cat-fat…funny bunny… She'll get better and start coming up with her own.

cooking with kids

Get help in the kitchen.
Even very young children can help pour ingredients and stir.

Go on nature walks.
Be extra observant of sights and sounds. Don't be in a rush.

Sort things.
Use different categories. Big and small, colors, smooth and rough. The possibilities are endless. Buttons, laundry, money, plastic milk caps, blocks…

Play games.
Check out my page on games to get an idea of why game playing is important for learning. Find recommendations for educational preschool games here.

Don’t neglect gross motor skills!
With all the focus on computer learning, fine motor skills are often more developed than gross motor skills in many preschool children. (Not a good thing if you ask me.)

Walk on a balance beam (you can make one out of a 2 x 4) or on a chalk line.

Throw beanbags in a bucket or through a tire. Sidewalk chalk is great for fine and gross motor. (Fine – holding the chalk, Gross – using big arm movements to draw.)

Learn to “pump” on the swings. (I couldn’t believe I was having to push second graders on a swing when I was teaching!)

Learn to skip. (Again, one year I taught 22 fourth graders and only 1 knew how to skip!)

They are only young once - have fun!

playdough

When you homeschool preschool children, your day should involve activities that are active, fun, engaging, and age appropriate.

Find out more about free preschool curriculum!

Fun Learning Activities for Children is a site where you will find plenty of fun and practical learning activities and teaching ideas to use as you grow alongside your child.

Kids Educational Games is a site dedicated to fun games for little kids. Kids love games. Kids learn through play.

Scrap and Learn - We've taken the best of notebooking, lapbooking, unit studies and scrapbooking and made a system of learning that will let your student’s creativity and individuality shine through. Free Pirate's Resource List download.

Do you have boys? Check out these fun homeschool preschool ideas from Homeschool Your Boys.

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Field Trips

Organizing Field Trips for Homeschool Groups
Provides you with step-by-step instructions on how to plan a successful homeschool field trip for your support group.

Click here to learn more.