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Home Schooling with Preschoolers

As published in the 2005-2006 Handbook for Texas Home Schoolers

Copyright © 2005 Texas Home School Coalition Association

(Click here to purchase the Handbook.)

MANAGING THE HOME SCHOOL WITH PRESCHOOLERS

Many families have the challenge and joy of teaching their school-aged children with preschoolers in the home. The following are some ideas and tips that have helped different home educators deal successfully with this challenge.

One method is to schedule class time around the naps of the younger children. This approach demands the discipline of getting to work as soon as the naps begin. Even though your older child may not be as fresh to do his schoolwork as he would be first thing in the morning, this idea usually works well. Be flexible; as your baby's or toddler's schedule changes, you will need to make adjustments in your school schedule as well.

Try "filling the cup" of your toddler first. Spend some quality time with them before you start to work with your older children. While Mom is beginning with the preschooler, the other children can read aloud to one another or practice math facts. When it is time for Mom to focus on geography, your little one will be more likely to accept being told that it is his siblings' turn.

When the younger children are awake, Mom can involve them in play activities (with an older child if possible) while she gives her attention to teaching the other children. The family socialization that takes place during these times is priceless. Have a box of toys reserved only for school time and rotate the toys each day to keep your toddler's attention.

With younger children who tend to make messes that they cannot clean up, it is especially important for everyone, including Dad, to pitch in with the housework. (Hint for Dad: Most home schooling moms dream of extra help with the housework. A maid service is much cheaper than private school. Hint for Mom: Dream on! Most home schooling dads have their hands full supporting the "school lunch program"!) What better way for our children to learn the work ethic than to pitch in and help Mom with the chores around the house? Remember that home economics is also a course of study. The training time is not always easy, but the benefits last a lifetime.

TEACHING PRESCHOOLERS IN THE HOME

Some families attempt to teach academics to preschoolers at home. Although if is possible to teach three-year-olds to read, it is not recommended unless:

(1) you only have one or two children at home and plenty of time to spend with them,

(2) you do not push them too hard so as to make them hate formal learning, and

(3) you use a curriculum designed for preschoolers.

Many find that two- and three-year-olds have limited long-term retention. Unless you continue to work with them every day, they rapidly forget what they have learned. We have also found that a five-year-old can learn in one or two days what may take weeks for a two- or three-year-old to learn, and he can remember it longer.

As preschoolers mature, they can begin to do schoolwork of their own. It makes them feel special to be treated like their big sisters and brothers. A four-year-old can usually cut out of magazines pictures of items that start with certain letters. Have glue sticks available to put his picture on a piece of paper that has the capital and lower case letter drawn on it. Your child can assemble his own book of the letters he has learned. What a painless way to learn phonics! This also gives him something to do when Mom is busy with the older children.

Always include your preschooler when reading aloud together and discussing interesting things. Children learn so much more by osmosis than we could ever imagine! If possible, have picture books containing pictures of the subjects being discussed in school. This helps your little ones feel more included in this family activity.

Most of all, relax and have fun with your little ones, read and sing to them often, make things together, answer their questions, take them many places, and show and explain things to them. They will come to love to learn at an early age when surrounded by such opportunities and a loving, caring family.

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