When my oldest child was a mere 3 years old, I began diligently researching homeschooling. I needed to learn all about it to ensure that I chose the best possible path for the education of her and all of our other children.
It’s rather common for parents to start to consider preschool options around the time their child is 3, and it was no different for me. I didn’t want to miss out on any important activities that I should be doing with her. I wanted to make sure she would be ready for more serious homeschooling.
But I wasn’t really sure what I needed to do in order to homeschool a preschooler. Flash cards? Handwriting readiness workbooks? Wall charts? Structured lesson plans? Set school hours?
As a new homeschooling mom, it was a little overwhelming to consider at first!
Thankfully, as I kept reading, and now as time has gone on and I’m homeschooling multiple children, I learned what is really crucial when homeschooling a preschooler.
In fact, this piece of information is so vital that I’ve ventured to call it The Key to Homeschooling Preschoolers. Yes, it’s really that groundbreakingly crucial.
Are you ready for it?
Do you have a notepad handy?
You don’t want to forget this.
Ready? Here it is…
Play. Let them play.
Play: The Key To Homeschooling Preschoolers
I know that it is so very easy to think of play as just fun leisure activities with no serious value. But mommas of littles, that just isn’t so!
Play is so very crucial for preschoolers.
Play allows them to interpret their world and make sense of all they are learning in life. They practice interaction and put their colorful imaginations to excellent use. They are laying a foundation for their future learning, too.
For preschoolers, play is serious learning!
Preschoolers don’t need alphabet and number flashcards (I’m guilty of pushing those too early!), learning to read DVDs, or even costly preschool curriculum.
There isn’t anything inherently wrong with most school materials designed for preschoolers if they are used in an age appropriate way. But it’s really important to realize as homeschooling parents that our preschool children don’t often require special materials to learn.
They will benefit tremendously from simple toys that encourage imaginative play, time outdoors experiencing play in nature, and interactive play with their parents, siblings, and friends. You don’t even have to tell them what or how to play. They just do it.
Of course, reading to your preschooler is an excellent way to both play with, bond with, and gently teach your child. They learn about books, storylines, and gain phonemic awareness (a fancy way to say that they learn how language sounds) all through hearing you read.
But it’s so important to remember that these children will have their entire lives to learn through more structured methods. From the time they are 5 or 6, most children will spend at least twelve years of their lives under structured learning methods. There is no need to rush the process along.
Let them play, and when you can, come along side them and play with them, too.
What value have you found in playing for your preschoolers?
Free Fun on the Farm Activity Pack
Have fun with your preschooler, as they practice writing, color, and enjoy educational activities that are perfect for little learners.
Kristen
Kristen Smith is a Christian, wife to her high school sweetheart, and homeschooling mom to some sweet little people. She's an herbalist, real food enthusiast, and coffee-loving optimist, as well as the author of Strengthening the Heart of a Homemaker: A Devotional Guide for Your Homemaking Journey. Join her at Smithspirations, where you can find encouragement for your heart and inspiration for your family’s wellness. You can also find her on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube, and Instagram.
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Thank you for this reminder! When my little one turned three, I was so excited about starting her with a “curriculum.” I went to a couple of stores and bought several workbooks…… we did ONE page of an alphabet workbook and she was more interested in the refrigerator alphabet magnets than anything else! I have since learned that she likes lots of hands on activities such as painting and really loves playing doctor. I want her to continue to use as much of her growing imagination and let her explore her little world for a little bit……. one day, whatever and wherever school we decide to send her, I know she’ll be limited to certain lessons and she may not get to use all of her potentials…. and I know all children are very much more capable than what these standard testers see. Thank you again for this post!
You’re welcome, Leila! You bring up a great point about toddlers and preschoolers thriving with hands on activities. Play provides so much of that! And I’m with you on all of the tests. 😉
Yes!!!! I love this! And I so needed to read it today! I have a 4 yr old, 3 yr old, 2 yr old, 9 mo, and baby#5 due in August. I have felt so pressured to be doing a “structured curriculum.” But honestly, my kids have learned far more than I realized they were, by working and playing along side my husband and I. I will refer back to this post often, on days I worry I should be doing curriculum instead of play 🙂
I’m so glad this encouraged you, Iris. You’re a busy momma for sure, so enjoy the play and the learning that naturally happens through it.
We decided to homeschool when my firsts were 1-year-olds. My twins are now 33 and homeschooling theirs. I am so glad that you speak the truth! Even kindergarten used to be sandbox play; only a few site words and learning about community helpers. Dr. Raymond Moore, the pioneer of the modern homeschool movement said, “Better Late Than Early” in his book of the same title. He even advocated waiting until 3rd grade for more formal education. A very good book to read!
Playing with your children and letting them work with you is the best education they can get. Add academics when they ready. Pushing really squashes their desire to learn. It should be a wonderful journey of discovery. (Note, I did not say it would always be wonderful… There are hard days/seasons.). My boys read the encyclopedia for fun! I have a saying,
Teach them how to read and to love to read.
Teach them how to learn and to love to learn.
They will practically teach themselves!
My youngest turns 12 today. He is number 8. I still think that discovery works better than spoon feeding.
Thank you for sharing! I totally agree!
Hey, Momma2eight! I love your insight, especially with all of the experience you have. I do chuckle inside when I hear people talk about “the earlier the better” with education. I know they mean well, but like you, I’m much more prone to believe better a little late than too early.
WOW! I wish you were on the education board every where!!!!
You know? I’ve always completely believed and agreed with exactly what you said in this post. But pressure that “peers” put on us Mom’s can be quite overwhelming-and even though I resist to follow th “flow of the culture”-the urge is there to follow as I walk AGAINST the flow. Thank you for confirming the truth of letting them play and learn as they play when they are young. Its a message that we all need to hear. They will have structured schooling for long enough when the age is right.
I totally get what you’re saying about the urge to follow, even when you are already going against the flow in many ways. It can be a challenge, no matter what the decision is over. I’m glad that this encouraged you!