It is never too early to get started with homeschooling your child, and the preschool years are the perfect time to get started. However, it can be a challenge to know what homeschooling should look like in preschool. Here are some tips to help you get started right.
Relax
The preschool years are the perfect time to learn how to homeschool in a low-stress environment. The great news about homeschooling preschool is that it is the perfect time to explore and learn alongside your child. Homeschooling preschool can be a fun way to spend time with your child while helping them gradually transition from play-based learning to a more formal school environment.
This is a great opportunity to spend time observing and discovering how your child likes to learn best. You should also take some time to explore how you prefer to teach and develop your unique teaching style. These observations will make it easier to choose the right curriculum as your child gets older.
Follow the Rules
Before you get started homeschooling at any age, it is important to check your state’s requirements and make sure that you are homeschooling legally. Many areas do not require formal school for kids until they are a little bit older. However, parents can choose to start homeschooling their kids at any age. If you choose to start homeschooling at a younger age, you will have some extra flexibility during the years until your area’s homeschool requirements begin.
Even if your area has no legal requirements for homeschooling preschoolers, it can be helpful to keep track of the days that you homeschool. We use a simple homeschool attendance sheet that helps us keep track of how many days of homeschool we have completed for the year.
Read Out Loud
One of the best things that you can do for your preschooler is to spend time reading out loud to them. Studies show that kids who are read to 5 times per week develop better written and spoken language skills than those who don’t spend as much time with books. Reading out loud to your child will help them learn to love books. It is also helpful in teaching important pre-reading skills that will make learning to read easier.
If you aren’t sure what to read to your preschooler, it can help to make a homeschool reading list. Take some time to look for books that will be fun and engaging for your preschooler. Looking at other preschool book lists can be helpful for ideas.
Make It Fun
Preschool is the perfect time to explore your child’s interests. Choose things that your child likes and do a deep dive to learn more about them. Visit the library and check out books on the topic, then read the books together. Or, do a project to explore the answers to questions your child asks. Help your child learn that it’s ok to be curious.
When homeschooling in preschool, formal lessons should be short. A good rule of thumb is no more than 2-5 minutes per year of your child’s age. So, most preschool lessons should be no more than 6-20 minutes long. Most families find that they can do all of their homeschooling for preschool in an hour a day, or even less!
If you would like some extra reassurance that you are including everything that you need to in your homeschool day, a formal preschool curriculum can be a good guide. It is important to choose a preschool homeschool curriculum that includes lots of fun hands-on activities to keep your preschooler engaged.
Although homeschooling in preschool looks different for each family, it is important to make sure that you make preschool fun for your child. Now is the time to teach your child that learning, and homeschooling, is fun!
Thank you to Sarah at Homeschooling 4 Him for writing this Crew Article. Sarah is a homeschool mom of two and an educator with over a decade of experience teaching kids in preschool through high school. Her passion is to help homeschool parents get started homeschooling with confidence. You can connect with her on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest.
