Homeschooling the Young Learner

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Do you sometimes second-guess your “credentials” to educate your child at home? Parents, you come into homeschooling with the greatest qualifications: a deep love for your child and a vested interest in his success!

**You can homeschool!**

You’ve already been homeschooling your young child—you’ve taught him to talk and you’ve taught him a variety of basic skills and character lessons. If no one told you that your child had to go off to school, what would you be doing with him? What are you already doing to motivate, stimulate, and teach him? Explore ways to simply expand what you are already doing in the context of that natural relationship, sort of a “learning lifestyle.”

Most young learners (especially preschoolers) want to play with toys and pretend . . . so let them! This play is their work – their early learning; it may look easy to us, but it’s not all easy to them, and it is developing their thinking skills and providing life experiences to give them a frame of reference—sort of like hooks on which to hang their future learning. But you pick the toys, so you shape the play.

Provide your child with stimulating, age-appropriate and developmentally appropriate toys such as Duplos or Legos or building blocks, thinking skills puzzles, art supplies, and life-skills playthings.

Everyday activities are helpful for your child’s brain and skills development. For example, working puzzles is a pre-reading skill. Having him help put away his things in an orderly fashion is classification and organization – basic science, math, and English skills.

For basic academics, foundational math encourages everyday mathematical thinking: counting and sorting objects, cooking – measuring and pouring, or dividing the pizza, counting out the M&Ms. Even setting the table is one-to-one correspondence!

Everyday language practice includes alphabet puzzles, notes to grandma, telling you about his latest adventure, or cuddling up for read-aloud time. Don’t be afraid to select reading material that slightly stretches your child’s attention and reading levels—his receptive—or listening—vocabulary is generally higher than his reading ability. Choose a variety of books, from classic children’s fiction, to biographies to poetry, to exploration of the wonderful world around us. And if that’s not structured enough, there are guides to help you plan a few activities based on some of those library books you are reading together, or on other interests your child has.

Because these are all things that happen in the context of everyday living and his everyday play, it’s much easier to move at the child’s natural pace and in his learning style. See some of my other posts for more everyday activities to create an intellectually stimulating environment on a shoestring budget — for example, math and language arts, and another math one. (I also have a list of suggested early-learning resources at the bottom of this post for those kiddos ready to move forward.)

Studies show that developmentally, young children benefit from physical and creative play… building, pretending, exploring, discovering, trying out their ideas.

While an outlined, structured plan is not a necessity, many parents feel more comfortable having some specific goals, so I encourage you to have age- appropriate and developmentally appropriate expectations. In my article, “What Should I Be Teaching?” you’ll find a few resources with suggested cognitive skills/concepts lists based on a traditional K–12th grade structure, to give you a starting point. (Again, I have a list of suggested early-learning resources at the bottom of this post for those kiddos ready to move forward.)

An hour of one-on-one instruction is about the equivalent of three hours in a conventional setting, so for preschool through kindergarten or even possibly first grade, an hour of one-on-one, structured learning time is usually plenty, supplemented with educational play and exploration. (Of course, you’ll want to be aware of any specific legal requirements for your state.)

What about extracurricular activities for young learners?

What does your child enjoy doing? An art or music or creative movement class might be a great outlet and inspiration. How much of a time commitment is it? Start with a short-term activity such as library craft day or the monthly kid’s project day at the home improvement store—activities your child can enjoy if it’s a good day, but if today hasn’t been such a great day, you can skip it and just go next time.

Also, what’s the focus of the class? At this age, you’re looking for low-pressure activities to let kids explore their options, get out some energy, learn some new basic skills, and develop godly character.

Don’t overcommit or overstimulate your early learner. Keep your family’s schedule in mind. Is that class at a convenient time, or is it going to disrupt nap routine or mealtime or bedtime? Not all kids are ready for this level of outside commitment, so just use your judgment and don’t feel pressured. Waiting a few years generally won’t stunt her progress if she is truly gifted in, say, music or dance. But if your child is ready to step out, then with the right focus, a well chosen, low-pressure extracurricular activity can complement her cognitive learning.

Remember—you can homeschool!

Photo credit: Rebekah McBride at www.NoDeskRequired.com and Unsplash.com; used with permission

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For more about preschool: What to Do with Your Early Learner

For more information about homeschooling:

Exploring Homeschooling (A Short Video) – free video (coming soon)

So You’ve Decided to Homeschool….NOW What? – free video

Home Education 101: A Mentoring Program for New Homeschoolers – Join Vicki online in the 6-module “getting started” course, Home Education 101, with videos from Vicki, live interactions, handouts and helper-sheets, and a community of other new homeschoolers (plus some veterans to help along the way!). Vicki walks alongside you as she shows you: You Can Do This! Learn more.

A few of my favorite resources for you….

For a very young learner:

Slow and Steady, Get Me Ready (weekly developmental activities for birth to age 5) by June Oberlander, available on Amazon
Great Preschool Essentials (podcast)
When Does Homeschooling Really Begin? (very practical and informative podcast; click the blue title link at top left of photo blocks to begin)

Curriculum suggestions, if you want something “outlined” for you:

Five in a Row unit studies based on classic children’s books (add math and phonics) – Before Five in a Row is geared specifically for preschool
My Father’s World all inclusive, starting with toddler activities
A Year of Playing Skillfully play-based, activities-based, and nature-focused learning for preschool through age 8
Timberdoodle can be all-inclusive; secular version available; more of a STEM focus than some
Memoria Press preschool – literature- and activities-based
Gather Round Homeschool unit studies; add math
Queen Homeschool (Charlotte Mason approach) all inclusive
The Three R’s of Learning by Ruth Beechick (math, language, and reading intro for K-3rd)
Mommy, Teach Me (Montessori approach) by Barbara Curtis
Easy Peasy All-in-One Homeschool is another online freebie

For math & language arts specifically, some items to check out for preschool through primary school:

Learning Language Arts through Literature lesson planned for you; all LA subjects integrated into one lesson each day
Language Lessons for Little Ones Queen Homeschool
Miquon Math hands-on, Montessori-ish
Shiller Math nands-on, Montessori
Making Math Meaningful workbook approach, literally scripted for the parent
Life of Fred Math math in a story format
Right Start Math hands-on math

Some books for you (as a homeschool parent) that may be encouraging:

The Unhurried Homeschooler by Durenda Wilson (short but powerful; I read the whole book while my banana bread baked)
Educating the WholeHearted Child by Clay and Sally Clarkson
Mommy, Teach Me! by Barbara Curtis

The Three R’s Language and Thinking for Young Children Heart and Mind: What the Bible Says about Learning Teaching Kindergartners A Biblical Home Education: Building Your Homeschool on the Foundation of God’s Word Teaching Preschoolers: It’s Not Exactly Easy but Here Is How to Do It (Accent teacher training series)Homeschooling Methods: Seasoned Advice on Learning Styles A Home Start in Reading (Grades K-3)Strong Start in Language: Grades K-3 (Three R’s Ser.) (Three R’s Series)Language Wars and Other Writings for Homeschoolers Slow and Steady Get Me Ready by June Oberlander (Dec 1 2002)Five in a Row Volume One Second Edition Before Five in a Row: Second Edition Teaching from Rest: A Homeschooler’s Guide to Unshakable Peace The Read-Aloud Family: Making Meaningful and Lasting Connections with Your Kids What Your Preschooler Needs to Know: Get Ready for Kindergarten (The Core Knowledge Series)What Your Child Needs to Know When: According to the Bible, According to the State: with Evaluation Check Lists for Grades K-8 What Your Kindergartner Needs to Know (Revised and updated): Preparing Your Child for a Lifetime of Learning (The Core Knowledge Series)Indescribable: 100 Devotions for Kids About God and Science (Indescribable Kids)Let Them Be Kids: Adventure, Boredom, Innocence, and Other Gifts Children Need The Ultimate Book of Homeschooling Ideas: 500+ Fun and Creative Learning Activities for Kids Ages 3-12 (Prima Home Learning Library)The Unhurried Homeschooler: A Simple, Mercifully Short Book on Homeschooling The Everyday Family Chore System: Raising Kids Who Help at Home The Smarter Preschooler: Unlocking Your Child’s Intellectual Potential No More Perfect Kids: Love Your Kids for Who They Are How am I Smart?: A Parent’s Guide to Multiple Intelligences Five to Thrive: How to Determine If Your Core Needs Are Being Met (and What to Do When They’re Not)8 Great Smarts: Discover and Nurture Your Child’s Intelligences Mommy, Teach Me: Preparing Your Preschool Child for a Lifetime of Learning Honey for a Child’s Heart: The Imaginative Use of Books in Family Life Honey for a Child’s Heart Updated and Expanded: The Imaginative Use of Books in Family Life Books Children Love: A Guide to the Best Children’s Literature (Revised Edition)5 Love Languages Of Children: The Secret To Loving Children Effectively SET: The Family Game of Visual Perception Time Timer 3 inch Visual Timer — 60 Minute Kids Desk Countdown Clock with Dry Erase Activity Card and Desktop App Access — For Kids Classroom, Homeschooling Study Tool, Task Reminder, Home and Kitchen Secura 60-Minute Visual Timer, Classroom Countdown Clock, Silent Timer for Kids and Adults, Time Management Tool for Teaching (Blue)TIME TIMER PLUS 60 Minute Desk Visual Timer – Countdown Timer with Portable Handle for Classroom, Office, Homeschooling, Study Tool with Silent Operation (Charcoal)3 Pieces Cube Timers Gravity Sensor Flip Timer Egg Timer Kids Timer Workout Timer Study Timer and Game Timer for Time Management, 1, 3, 5, 10 Minutes and 15, 20, 30, 60 Minutes (White, Yellow, Blue)A Year of Playing Skillfully The Homegrown Preschooler: Teaching Your Kids in the Places They Live The Ultimate Toddler Activity Guide: Fun & educational activities to do with your toddler (Early Learning)Busy Bags Kids Will Love: Make-Ahead Activity Kits for a Happy Preschooler and Stress-Free Parent