Homeschooling Preschoolers: Fun and Educational Activities

For the homeschooling parents out there who are open to learning some good ideas that will help make learning fun for the preschooler, this article is for you.

We have here listed some 10 fun and educational activities that you must consider trying. Homeschooling preschoolers have several benefits.

You have more control over what they learn, how they learn, and the learning pace.

This has the advantage of enabling you to establish a teaching style that will suit your child more so in ensuring that learning effectively takes place.

The second point is that these educational experiences are enjoyable and your preschooler is able to achieve these from the comfort of your home.

How to get started with homeschooling preschoolers?

If you are new to this, here are some steps to begin homeschooling preschoolers: 

1. Research about your state’s homeschooling requirements

The most important area that should be known before homeschooling in any of the states of the country is to have sufficient information on homeschooling legal frameworks.

Every state has its homeschooling standards: what subjects are mandatory to teach, how many hours per day/week are required, record-keeping, etc.

For legal information about homeschooling, read Is Homeschooling Legal in India?

Adhering to the laws is always crucial, in order not to give another arm of the education department any opportunity to interfere with your child’s educational process in the future.

2. Find out the preferred learning style of your child

The second important feature is the style that suits the child best in his/ her learning process. Every child learns differently.

For instance- some students get things that are explained in writing, while others follow illustrations or oral instructions or demonstrations. You need to have eyes on the child and how he/she perceives what is around them.

It will help you to know about them and be able to find out about their choice and the proper teaching techniques and activities corresponding to their choices.

3. Learn about the different types of curricula available to preschoolers

Regarding curriculum, there are various samples for preschoolers and there are multiple curricula for different types of learners. Some prefer the play concept in learning, while others stick to lessons as such.

Do not be in a hurry when choosing the curricula of your kid but make sure that you pick the right online school program that will suit your kid.

Additionally, it is suggested to consult with other parents who homeschool their children for review and idea-sharing.

4. Make a goal for your child and ensure that there is a timetable

Another important step is to define the goal and to help the student achieve the goal because it is the best way to see your child going near what he/she desires to have. 

Make a good schedule for the child because a schedule defines the behaviours necessary to be observed each day.

5. Monitor your child’s progress daily, adjusting as needed.

It is recommended to pay particular attention to the progress track of your child to determine if the kid meets the targets or not.

It can be done formally by assessing what they have learned, or informally by some assessment tests. It will also let you know where they are having issues comprehending the concept and based on that you can proceed accordingly.

6. Include a lot of engaging activities to keep learning fun.

Knowledge acquired should be fun especially when it impacts learning involving preschooling children.

Let them have fun with what they are learning; it is good to include many interesting things like games, art, and crafts among the things they do throughout the day.

Building blocks, drawing, singing, and painting are some of the activities that not only make the child occupied but end up learning too.

Read A Beginners Guide to Homeschooling: Getting Started to understand the basics of homeschooling.

In what aspects can you teach in preschool? 

The laws governing homeschooling vary from one state to the other, hence parents should contact their state’s Education Department.

Here are some of the subjects typically taught to preschoolers:

Maths

For preschoolers, let them learn about the basics of maths like counting, recognizing numbers, addition, subtraction, and more such simple activities. Use props like toys, blocks, cards, etc.

Reading and Language Arts(phonics, reading, writing)

Teach them reading, writing, and phonics starting with the alphabet. Ask them to draw letters in sand/soil or with finger paints to make the learning process easier and interactive.

Science

Let them learn about simple experiments such as baking soda and vinegar or teach them how plants grow from a seed, and many others such as. Speak to them about the weather, animals, and nature and hence make them develop curiosity in them about the wonders of science.

Social studies

Talk to them about basic geography, and the necessity of rules, and use globes or maps to make the learning process relatable.

Drawing, colouring, arts & crafts

Provide your child with crayons, paints or clay so that he or she can draw something, paint it, or make something. This will definitely improve their innovation.

Physical education (PE)

It is also equally crucial for their academic lessons to be complemented with physical exercises. Force them to do things such as jumping, running, and throwing among others, this will help them in their physical and mental capabilities as well.

Foreign Language

Try to teach them about some foreign language as early as you can. It will be very beneficial when they grow. Give them new words, new phrases, and some fun activities. Learn with fun.

Health

How to take care of one’s health is very important. Teach them some basic health and hygiene habits like brushing their teeth, washing their hands, using a handkerchief, the importance of workout, sleep, etc.

Performing Arts(Music, dance etc)

Singing, dancing and other such activities are very enjoyable. Engage your child in these activities too. 

What is the goal for your preschooler?

Preschool is a very critical learning institution that completes the future learning and development of your child. Some of the goals you need to have should involve success in class and other major cognitive development goals.

Here’s how homeschooling preschooler goals can look like:

List out all the letters in the alphabet

Among these objectives, a primary purpose is for your child to learn the letters themselves. This being the case, one should be able to ensure they learn using fun activities such as alphabet puzzles, flashcards, and songs.

Recognition of different colours as well as the basic shapes

Products such as colour and shape games and toys will help you teach your child colours and shapes. Molding, matching, and sorting objects should be an interesting process when it is based on colour and shape.

Arithmetic counting and recognition of numbers

Recognition of numbers and counting of objects are among the basics of learning and teaching. Play counting games, read number books, and even count steps or toys every day.

Know the names of all the days in a week and months

This section assesses whether children are capable of identifying all the days in a week and all the months.

Try singing the days of the week and the months as well as putting up the calendars of the days of the week and the months. Develop a daily routine chart for their benefit especially to enable them to recognize the sequence of days and months.

Learn Tips to create a homeschooling schedule will help you to make a proper routine for your child’s daily life.

Use listening skills to match words that rhyme

Hearing rhyming books and singing songs that contain rhyming words also helps in listening skills. To build your kid’s awareness of rhyming words you must encourage him or her to play rhyming games.

Fun and educational activities for homeschooling preschoolers

Without further ado, let us look at 5 fun and educational activities to make learning enjoyable for homeschooling preschoolers: 

1. Alphabet Treasure Hunt

Innocently, hide the letters somewhere in the house and allow the child to go and search for them. They can also recognize its name and the sound of the letter when it is pointed out to them. This makes it easier and more engaging to learn the letters of the alphabet.

2. Counting with Snacks

When counting, employ foods like crackers or fruits to ensure students count the right amount needed.

Try to check with your child and just before he/she eats the pieces, let him/her count the portion he/she has taken. This is a way of combining classes whereby learners can learn as well as have their snacks at the same time.

3. Nature Walk and Observation

Go out for a walk and admire the power of nature. Compare various plants, and animals, and demonstrate different weather patterns. Gather up leaves or rocks and then talk about the various colours, shapes, and even the feeling of the object.

4. Colour Sorting Game

Take solid objects having different colours and give them to your child and instruct them to arrange them by colour. This enables them to learn colours and also sort out objects since they have few things to manage at their age.

5. DIY Craft Projects

Design simple art activities out of waste materials derived from items like cardboard boxes, tin cans, plastic bottles, scrap newspapers, string, and other forms of recycled materials to improve the creativity of children.

Creating is quite helpful in the work on fine motor control and is valuable for developing the imagination.

Conclusion

Learning with children of preschool age allows parents to enter their child’s world of interests and begin exploring them together.

The tips we have mentioned will help you to come up with fun and exciting learning sessions; Alphabet Treasure Hunt – How about playing a game that will enable the students to come up with an alphabet hunt, DIY Craft Projects, and many others.

Please remember that the main purpose of learning at this age is to make it as fun as possible, so your preschooler could embrace learning and remain a perpetual seeker and thinker throughout their life.

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