How to Homeschool a Preschooler Successfully

If you are a stay at home mommy and you are considering preschool homeschooling, it is still a valid option. Different parents choose the option for different reasons. Some just want to prepare their kids for kindergarten, others want to have their kids close, and some are trying to save money for other expenses.

In this article, you will learn;

•       Tips to homeschool a preschooler
•       What to always keep in mind throughout the process.
•       What preschoolers should know

Tips to Preschool Home-School

1. Have Realistic Goals

Your child may not be able to keep up with the schedule that you want her to keep up with. At this age, following a routine can be very overwhelming for her.

Start every day with an open mind and see where the day takes you. To ease the pressure, create a to-do-list every day and divide it into two: Activities that are a must-do and bonus activities.

There are days that you will be lucky enough to complete the must-do list and pick up a bonus point, and some that it will be difficult to even complete the must-do-list.

Don’t beat yourself up; just be patient and carry-on the following day.

2. Cater to Their Needs First

Babies are naturally stubborn, but it is worse when you are trying to teach them anything with an empty stomach.

Start every day with a healthy breakfast. Ensure she is clean and well hydrated.

As you move on during the day, create time, and give her snacks to keep her energized.

It is easy for her to concentrate when she is comfortable.

3. Choose a School Plan that Works for You

• There are only limited options when it comes to homeschooling preschoolers.
• No planning, at all, commonly known as a life school
• Purchasing a full curriculum
• Program-led like alphabet printable
• Theme-based – concept-based, letter-based, interest-based, etc.

4. Utilize Songs to Remember Things

Kids love songs, and they learn them so fast. You can, therefore, take this to your advantage and use the songs to remind them of science things and other lessons.

You can play the songs when you are in the house, in the car…anywhere. It is a fun way of learning, and they don’t even realize they are learning.

5. Art stations

Preschoolers are very crafty. You must provide them with crafting items as they play a major role in developing their motor skills, creativity, critical thinking, just to mention a few.

You can check our 20 art and craft activities for preschoolers and have an idea on what your tot may enjoy.

Be sure to choose the materials based on the age and ability of your child. To save on money, you can buy progressive toys that grow with the child.

Choose a place the items to stay organized and avoid losing. Pull them out for art and craft classes and later challenge your kid to return them and clean up. It is an easy trick to teach them about responsibility.

6. Homemade Instruments

There are many things that children can make using home-made materials, including musical instruments. They will later enjoy having a concert with you at home. And is this not one of the best ways to create memories?

7.Teaching the Alphabet

Having an alphabet box is a fun way of teaching your child the alphabet.

Have alphabet boxes, where you place an object associated with the letter you are learning on a particular day.

If you are learning about the letter “A,” you may place an apple in the box, and the letter (both uppercase and lowercase).

Let the child open the box, describe the item, and say the sound of the letter.

This makes it easy for your kid to learn the alphabet as they are always looking forward to seeing what is in the box!

I mean, who doesn’t love surprises?

8. Listening and Speaking skills

Have you ever met a person who doesn’t pay attention when you are giving him instructions, and he ends up doing the complete opposite? Did you like it? I guess not.

Listening and speaking skills are vital to your kid. One way you can teach her to be attentive is by being a keen listener yourself. When she is giving you a story, don’t interrupt her, be attentive, and ask questions for clarification at the end.

Another way is by activities such as baking. Bake with your child as you take the role of a director.

Ask her to repeat the instruction just to make sure she is paying attention.

9. Fine Motor Skills

At this age, children learn more through activities that they do manually than what they see. However, motor skills activities do not have to be a bunch of complicated things.

You can let them tie their shoes, close their zippers, etc.

Besides these activities, ensure the items that they can use to play safely on their own.

10. Why? How? When?

Any parent knows that at the preschooling age, kids have a lot of questions as they are just discovering the existence of living and nonliving things in the environment.

Teaching them science at this juncture is therefore easy and fun. Just carry the binoculars with her and let her see the bark of trees, small animals, etc.

Encourage them to use their five senses. Ask them what they see, the sounds they hear, the color they see.

11. Hands-On Math

Mathematics for toddlers does not have to be complicated. It should revolve around daily life activities.

You can go with your child to the grocery store and ask her to count a certain number of oranges and apples.

You can also find animal toys and tell them to arrange similar toys in one line, later you can use that as a graph to determine how many animals were more than others.

This way, kids grow knowing math is fun and enjoying it.

What to Remember When You are Homeschooling

Don’t stress – Each preschooler learns at her own pace. Don’t be stressed about what she may know or not know. She knows a lot, and she will surprise you. Let her guide you.

Enjoy your tot’s presence – These learning times may seem long and tiresome, but they are very short, and soon she will be gone.

Don’t force it – As I mentioned earlier, some kids are ready for preschool earlier than others. Don’t be pushy; even the preschool age is 3, your baby may not be ready yet. Start introducing the lessons in small bits.

It’s okay if you don’t have the preschool money – If you can’t fit the preschool fee in your budget, don’t be worried. You can buy affordable preschool materials and prepare your child for kindergarten.

Playtime is everything – Most preschool activities revolve around the kid’s awareness of her surroundings. Even if there are table activities, most things are easier taught through playtime.

Read – I can’t emphasize the importance of pre-reading. It will help your child in the long run. It will improve her listening and speaking skills, as well.

Best Preschool Homeschool Curriculum

There are many curriculums for homeschooling toddlers. Most of them are great and work differently for different kids.

Don’t be shy to try out different curriculums until you get one that fits your kid best. Sometimes, you may decide to use two at the same time.

What Preschoolers Should Know

Here are some academic things your preschooler should know at the end of the curriculum;

• Shapes & Colors
• Writing her name
• Holding a pencil and using scissors
• Identify and write numbers 1-10
• Use of glue and paper
• Tracing shapes and letters
• Learn the context of “yesterday,” “tomorrow” and “today.”
• Seasons, days of the week and months of the year

 

One Final Word

Preschool is an important stage for every toddler. However, if you do know you have sufficient funds or just want to prepare your tot for preschool, it is okay to do it at home.

With the above tips, you will be able to help your child learn and know everything the kids at school are learning.

Besides, you get a chance to get to know your kid more and create more memories.

All the best!