I know now in homeschool preschool the important lessons are one on one time at nap time. I have three boys’ still at home, but when they were younger trying to get focused time for homeschool preschool was difficult. Preschoolers’ enjoy time alone with mom. It is very important that they know mom values their learning time.
Trying to implement time and running around to different children gets chaotic. So, when I was teaching homeschool preschool I decided the best time was during the baby’s nap and quiet time for the other children. This way I could add value and educate them. Another good reason was this was a good time for exploring the outdoors without restraints.
Preschool Lessons
Make them easy. Make them fun. Homeschool preschool is a time for bonding, learning with play, and discovering the world around them. So many times we get caught up in the have to’s that we forget the insatiable learning appetite of a preschooler.
Connect the learning to something of their future education. For example, my preschool hand lettering sheets include the flower for each letter of the alphabet. Later in their nature study hour they will be drawing birds, flowers and more. In high school they will be connecting these early learning skills to botany. The puzzle pieces will already be in their memory.
Homeschool Preschool Independent Play
Even before we homeschooled I encouraged independent playtime. This is where my children have a few toys and play by themselves. My sons’ all have great imaginations, and independent play took a part in growing their imagination. Setting up a few of their favorite toys, sand, chalk and a blackboard or other multi use items gives them the option for open play. Unguided free play time without interruption is the goal with this time slot. Preschoolers like to paint, play and explore. Leave this door open. Allow them play time without you giving any directions.
Another great place to play is outside. Unguided playtime in the yard for exploration is allowing them to use their brains. Shelter building, rock collecting and digging builds so many learning skills for preschool. Homeschool preschool allows time to slow down for these engaging future hobbies. Shelter building will be great for hiking or outdoor camping, and I always like to see how they will use some this play in their growth.
Homeschool Preschool Hands On Activities
Sometimes the most important part of homeschooling is realizing when to be flexible, who needs what, and how to accommodate and move forward with our goal. Homeschool preschool is the perfect time to work on hands on activities. covering more than one of the learning tools is going to create the learning paths they need more quickly.
When learning math in homeschool preschool add in a hands on activity for whatever subject is being worked on. Worksheets are fine, but to add in more interest investigate ways to learn with their hands. Cement the topic in their heads by trying three different ways to teach the topic. For instance write a word, hear a word, spell a word with magnets. This way the preschooler has learned the same word with three different methods. Hands on activities work for almost all topics.
Preschool Snack Time
Always include a snack time. If possible relate the snack time with the lesson plan. I was not always good at that, because of time and attention restraints. Sometimes a banana had to be woven into the learning and named something from the book we read. Homeschool preschool snack time is a good time for small skills to be worked on and allow the preschooler to use a butter knife. Learning how to cut safely at a young age is important.
In addition to snack time is read aloud time. When all of my kids were younger I combined these two activities. They loved to hear me read, and snacks kept their attention. We also had sessions where everybody did something in the recipe to get it to turn out correctly.
My children are growing up and I have no more homeschool preschool classes to teach. If I did my one bit of advice would be to learn something new each day, and have a whole lot of fun. Homeschool opens doors for creativity in learning. Use that and give them space to enjoy this opportunity.
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