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Some ABC’s and 123’s For
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Instead purchase fun games and educational toys that introduce learning in a fun way.
Hi Ho Cherry-O is a fun game that helps your preschooler learn to count and start adding and subtracting.
(Some some more, and some some went away... the same way Saxon Math teaches adding and subtracting in the early grades.)
When shopping for gifts, look for educational toys and games that you can use for some great homeschool preschool fun.
Also, purchase activities that you will enjoy as well and won’t mind playing over and over again. Preschoolers love repetition, don’t they?
If you get tired of a game or book, you can always put them away for awhile. With MOST preschoolers, its usually out of sight, out of mind - a welcomed break for you!
Take a trip to the library each week. You will have some new and interesting resources available instead of the same things they see every day. Having a variety of different things for your young homeschoolers to do, eliminates monotony and boredom.
Put away your homeschool preschool materials, to make “school” time special and something they look forward to.
When my second oldest daughter was a preschooler, some of her favorite toys were our math manipulatives. She loved playing with the counting bears and our bucket of geometric shapes. She could put together a tangram puzzle faster than me!
Save some special toys or games that they can do independently for times when you need to get something done, make a phone call, or need a little break.
Many games we use have come during my garage sale or thrift store excursions. If you buy used games or puzzles though, make sure all the pieces are in the box.
B. Be ready for teachable moments.
Make sure your homeschool preschool time is fun and relaxing. Preschoolers learn so much just from being with you as you work together throughout the day.Any activity can be an opportunity for learning from trips to the grocery store to doing laundry or the dishes together. Be ready for teachable moments whenever they happen. The problem with many families today is everyone is so rushed and scheduled.
Many wonderful teachable moments are lost in the hustle and bustle of the day as we try to accomplish our goals!
Go outside often! In warm weather make the outdoors your classroom. Take time to smell the roses, look at an ant hill, collect different leaves or collect rocks when going on walks or playing in the backyard.
During the spring and summer, my preschoolers have all been fascinated with dandelions. They go from lawn to lawn picking a bouquet of beautiful yellow flowers for their mother on our walks, to and from the park.
I love watching their delightful fascination and I am sure the neighbors don’t mind giving up some of their pesky problematic plants for a preschooler’s precious present!
C. Creative and imaginary play!
My children loved to play store with a cash register and food items. You can use real products from your cupboards, save empty containers or purchase play food. Either way, your kids will love it!Mark all the items with a simple price to teach the different coins. Give them a basket, some money and let them go shopping at your store. Dress up to make it more fun and play the role of the merchant.
Preschoolers love to pretend!
Take turns and let them be the merchant. At first buy one item at a time and then increase the number of items. Instead of adding the amount, have them tell you how many items cost a dime, a penny, etc.
We always have a box of dress-up clothes available for the kids to play with. You can purchase some fun items at your local thrift store quite inexpensively.
Children love role playing and often my children would pretend to be someone from the book I was reading to the older children. (Older children love dressing up too... often they would join in an be the knight guarding the castle, or a minute man ready for battle, at a moment's call!)
One year for Christmas, we gave each daughter a trunk fill with frilly princess dress up clothes. Fancy dresses, wands, crowns, evening bags, beads, and Cinderella shoes!
You should have seen their delight!
And this perfect gift didn’t cost much. Most items I purchased at Salvation Army and then added accessories and dress up shoes that I bought new.
1. Take time for music.
My children loved making "music" and dancing. Having some fun musical instruments around or any children's music CD, allows your child to explore and create music in a fun way.They will learn about rhythm, beat and different instruments in a non-threatening atmosphere, and get a little homeschool preschool exercise too!
2. Build their character and knowledge.
Teach your preschooler to follow simple instructions. Make sure they learn to obey – the first time.Spend time developing their character now! Talk about obedience, kindness, love, and gentleness, before situations arise.
Teach them the alphabet. Introduce them when they are ready, to numbers and counting. Make your homeschool preschool time non threatening.
Sometimes you may have to be creative with reluctant learners. Or maybe they're just not ready - and that's okay!
3. Relax and have fun!
All children learn in a different way, at different times. One of my kids asked to learn, the others just absorbed everything from our daily activities.Your preschooler may enjoy some fun homeschool unit studies - a great hands-on method of learning. My five year old and I create lapbooks to go along with her Kindergarten lessons. Your preschooler may enjoy this fun, educational activity too.
Some children develop early, others bloom later. Enjoy them in every developmental stage.
Being too forceful or structured with a preschooler could turn them off to the idea of school.
So follow their lead, you have plenty of time!
Do You Have a Great Homeschool Preschool Tip?
What works for you?
Preschoolers are full of energy, natural curiousity and a little mischief! Life with little ones can be a whirl wind.
Do you have a great homeschool preschool tip, activity or idea to share with other parents considering homeschooling during the preschool years?
Or, what should parents avoid when homeschooling preschoolers? Please share it!
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Homeschool Preschool Tips
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Preschoolers soak up information like a sponge, but sometimes our focus has to be on the older child(ren) and then preschoolers can also be a huge distraction ...
You can successfully homeschool your child at any age!
Know your homeschooling requirements and home schooling laws before beginning to homeschool your school-aged children.
All states are different. You may need to perform home school testing or register your children before you can school your child legally at home.
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