How do I homeschool my preschooler?
Regardless of whether families identify as homeschooling or not, most parents are teachers of their preschoolers. These young children learn in a variety of situations.
- Music – literacy awareness may start with the ABC song
- Hands on beside an adult – measuring food in the kitchen
- Independent play – science as children play with building blocks and explore outside
- Books – learning about the butterfly life cycle in a children’s picture book
- Mentoring and role models in groups – sharing and taking turns
- Observation – looking out the car window at a building under construction
- Field trips – visiting a fire station, apple orchard, or natural park area
- Questions – receiving answers to their “Why?” questions … preschool and curiosity go hand in hand
Reading out loud is very important at this stage. Growth in language development, fostering imagination, and bonding with parents are just three of the many reasons to read out loud to your preschooler.
Some families find it helpful to have a scheduled daily reading time and a weekly learning opportunity out of the house (library visits, field trips, play dates at the beach). Preschoolers learn all day long, but some parents who like routine choose a learning time when “special” learning opportunities take place. This isn’t necessary but can increase the fun and anticipation of learning. John Holt’s book Learning All The Time is an excellent resource for all parents of preschool children.
To help support the strong start of homeschooling preschoolers, HSLDA Canada offers a free membership to families whose oldest child is under six.