Reading Time: 5 min 25 sec

 

It’s that time of year, when massive bins of pencils, crayons, and markers start appearing when swim paraphernalia is on massive discount, and Starbucks is threatening the upcoming arrival of their pumpkin lattes, that you know…. school… is…. coming!

You start to panic, because though you have made the scary decision to homeschool, and you have NO IDEA what you are doing!  Your adorable three-year-old is counting on you to make sure that she gets into the college of her dreams and you CAN’T MESS THIS UP! 

I was at the same place you are and now after homeschooling two children through preschool myself, I promise you, YOU CAN DO IT!

Everything a child learns in preschool can be learned through living life with you at home. So how do you do it?

Seriously, kids are naturally curious. Who hasn’t sat beside a three or four-year-old without experiencing the endless assault of questions about everything from ducks to socks to spaghetti? As a homeschooling mom of a preschooler, all you have to do is to continue to encourage their love of learning at home!

So how do you do that? How to do you foster an environment of lifelong learning?  

 

1. Stare at Bugs-Be Curious! 

Kids are natural observers. They want to know how everything works. Be intentional about slowing down and answering their questions.   Of course, you can’t stop and answer their endless questions, every… single… time, however, you can be intentional about encouraging their love of learning.   It’s even better if you don’t know the answer to some super random question because then you and your child can go to the library and find a book on that topic. 

                               

“I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious.” Albert Einstein

 

2. Build Forts-Use Your Imagination!

We have all this misconception that in order to learn we need to be sitting at a table doing busy work. There is study after study that says that play is not only important but crucial to the overall development of your child.

Through play, your child develops a myriad of skills not the least of which is imagination, that equips them to understand how the world works.  So let them pile up the couch cushions and sail for unchartered waters.

  “Play is the highest form of research.”        Albert Einstein

 

3. Explore Hidden Worlds-Read A Lot! 

Can you imagine a better childhood memory than snuggled up to your mom, covered in a blanket, listening to the stories of faraway places? The world is at your child’s fingertips and they come to understand that anything they want to know about can be found in the pages of a book. Through reading your child develops their vocabulary, critical thinking, imagination, and language skills.

 

Suggestion: Ella Bella Ballerina or Katie Series by James Mayhew

 

“Children are made readers in the laps of their parents.”-Emilie Buchwald

 

4. Listen to Fairy Tales

Avoid sibling squabbles and the endless “are we there yet?” questions by pulling out an audiobook as an alternative to the iPad for those days of errands or long road trips. Audiobooks not only save your voice (woohoo!) and allow you to read longer chapter books but they also develop imagination, listening, creativity and vocabulary skills. 

 

Suggestion: Start with short books, such as Madeline and move on to exploring longer chapter books like the Paddington Bear series.

“There are many little ways to enlarge your child’s world.  Love of books is the best of all.” Jacqueline Kennedy

 

 

 “If a child can’t learn the way we teach, maybe we should teach the way they learn.” Ignacio Estrada

 

6. Splash in Puddles- Get Outside

Do you remember how fun it was to walk in the rain and splash in every big puddle? I love reading about how nature preschools spend the morning outdoors in all types of weather (except dangerous).

 Playing outside in nature helps children be active, develop their imaginations, and their confidence,  learn about their planet, and respect living things. 

 

Suggestion: Visit parks, hike trails, pull up weeds, put on raincoats, and splash in streams!

 

“A child, more than anyone else, is a spontaneous observer of nature” -Maria Montessori 

 

7. Go on Adventures- Field Trips

It seems like the general assumption is that museums and four-year old’s do not go together.

 

I beg to differ.  It’s how you do it and knowing your child’s (and your own) limits.  With my preschool children, I would aim for a thirty-minute walk around the art museum.  You can either cover the entire museum or like we did spend your time in one or two rooms, just find what works for your family.

 

   Exposing kids to a wide variety of experiences helps to foster a love of art, literature, music, science etc. from a young age.

When they sit down to learn about math or art later in life, they come with an expectation of enjoyment, as they attach the wonderful memories they had as a young child exploring something new. 

Suggestion: Check out the events available at children’s museums, art and history museums, nature centers, zoos, dairy farms, libraries, ballet, and symphonies. 

 “Kid’s don’t need more toys -they need more adventures!” -Sarah Mueller

 

8. Dance Parties-Listen to the Beat

By exploring a wide variety of music, your child will develop their creativity, language, and motor skills. 

Your child will be exposed to pop culture throughout their lives, so be intentional about developing their palate for music.  You might not necessarily listen to jazz, country or the blues, but your child sure will enjoy dancing to the different rhythms!

 There are several ways to listen to a variety of music at home, you just have to find out what works best for your family. One idea is that you could choose to listen to a different style of music every week or every month.

 

 Suggestion: One of our favorites is the Beethoven’s Wig and the Classical Kids audio series. 

  “Music can change the world.” Beethoven

 

9. Get Messy- Experience Art!

It is amazing what kids can create when you provide them with markers, crayons, colored pencils, and finger paint and let them go crazy.  Not only are children developing their creativity, but also their fine motor skills. 

If you don’t want to deal with the mess have your children paint while sitting on the back porch. Or I would have them pick up something on our nature walk (pinecone, rock, leaf) and bring it back to draw. 

 Suggestion:  Check out local museums for  art programs. These programs are specifically designed for preschoolers and most often are free!

                                                           

      “Every child is an artist” -Picasso

 

10. Help Mommy-Chores

Last but not least, teach your child to help you with the chores around the house. Yes, this is easier said than done but learning to clean up after themselves is just as important of a life skill as phonics.

 As your child participates in chores, it helps them to develop responsibility, a strong work ethic and gives them a sense of accomplishment. It also lets them know that they are an important part of your family.

 Start by teaching them how to do small tasks, such as pick up their toys, put away the silverware, fold socks, etc. 

 Suggestion:  To avoid your child feeling overwhelmed (at this age), stay in the room and offer to help them put away their toys.

             

  “Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard” Tim Notke

 

What about you? What are your favorite ways to foster a love of learning at home?

 

If you try any of these activities, let us know! Leave a comment and don’t forget to follow us on Pinterest. about you? What are your favorite ways to increase your child’s awareness of God? 

 If you try any of these activities, let us know! Leave a comment, and don’t forge