I’ve seen it hundreds of times over the years in homeschool Facebook Groups.
I’ve overheard it dozens of times at “Homeschool Info Nights”.
I was even on the receiving end of it once when my son was three.
“You don’t need to homeschool your preschooler.”
“Preschoolers just need to explore and play.”
“It’s foolish to spend money on preschool supplies and curriculum.”
These words have always bothered me.
It bothered me so much that, after a {well-meaning?} mom said it to me once, I never allowed the opportunity for another person to say it to me ever again.
I became a master at deflecting the topic and choosing my words wisely when I talked about my son’s early education.
Teaching phonics to my three-year-old seemed like a taboo act in the homeschool world, but I had a young child who wanted to learn to read. So, why wouldn’t I?
And because I had taught hundreds of kids to read in my former life as a classroom teacher, I had the experience and confidence to do it without the support of others.
So that’s what I did. I taught my child to read at three.
But, I talked very little of it.
And, as soon as he was old enough {4}, I started calling him a kindergartener and nobody stopped in their tracks when I mentioned how we spent our homeschool days. (Sidenote: Not sure why one little year makes homeschooling kindergarten okay with so many more people…the thing we should all be looking at is each specific child; not the age or supposed level.)
My son is in tenth grade now.
But, these statements still bother me.
Not for me, of course, but for others. Why?
Because I truly believe you can homeschool preschool.
It makes me sad when I see a post from a super excited mom ready to begin her homeschool journey with her three or four-year-old that is followed by nothing but comment after comment about how she should not homeschool her preschooler.
The fact that we, as homeschool moms, feel that we have the right to tell another mom how she should or should not teach her child is rather hypocritical.
I know those are strong words. But, listen to me. Please.
All of those veteran homeschool moms who are quick to shut down the enthusiasm of a new homeschool mom, listen.
Don’t we also frequently say that one of the biggest perks of homeschooling is that YOU get to decide what is best for your child? YOU get to create the perfect learning environment for your kids? It’s up to YOU how and when your little students get to learn this and that and everything in between? Don’t WE pride ourselves on NOT being told how to educate our families? Don’t we relish in the fact that WE have chosen to be in charge of our student’s education no matter what “they” think about it? Don’t we tout the fact that homeschooling is the best because WE can do it, however, wherever and whenever we want?
So, can we please just stop telling these young moms that they cannot and should not homeschool their preschoolers?
Unless a mom asks for your opinion, don’t give it. {Great rule to apply across the board for all moms in all situations.}
And to the mom who is wondering if she can homechool her preschooler, hear this.
You Can Homeschool Your Preschooler!
You can.
If your little one is chomping at the bit to get to work, go for it.
If you are both excited about having a little classroom in the corner of the playroom, build it!
If you love the idea of sitting down with your willing, little one to teach him to write his name, have at it!
If you and your little one are anxious to print off some free preschool curriculum for homeschool printables, by all means, warm up your printer!
If you want to print out the words to The Wheels on the Bus and show your eager kiddo how to use her finger to track word by word as you sing together, please do!
If you want to take turns discussing the pictures in the books and guessing what might happen next, by all means, you should.
Count to 20? Yes! Count to 50? Sure! Count to 100? If he/she wants to, absolutely! Grab some preschool math printables or free preschool counting printables and have fun!
Have a visual Pre-K kid who is chomping at the bit to act like a big boy and do school work? Grab this free shape scavenger hunt printable, hand him a clipboard and pen and set him loose in the house.
Have a kid who LOVES letters, like mine? Pick a letter each week and find some easy preschool activities to work on each letter.
Are you wanting to add more structure to your mornings? Add in some learning stations!
Or, if you’re not sure what your pre-K kid wants to work on, but you know he/she wants to be “working,” instead focus on his/her interest and then design some homeschool preschool activities around that.
If you have a hands-on learner who learns best through playing and wants to learn schooly stuff, find a few preschool games to rotate through each week.
Maybe your kiddo loves all things with wheels {mine sure did!} So read a fun book about vehicles and then choose one or two transportation crafts for preschool and follow that up by YOU writing “car” and “bus” for him to see. Keep it simple and make it fun!
You Can Homeschool Your Preschooler!
Now, don’t get me wrong.
There are some general things we all need to recognize about preschoolers.
Things that studies have shown us time and time again.
Preschoolers should play. A lot.
They need places to explore.
They need freedom to imagine.
They need space to wiggle.
They need to enjoy being little.
They need permission to be three.
And, they probably don’t need an expensive curriculum.
They certainly should not be sitting and working for long periods of time.
They should not be expected to write in cursive, do math equations in their head or read chapter books.
As a matter of fact, they should not be expected to even hold a pencil properly, skip count in their head or read sentences fluently.
If your kiddo WANTS to do these things and CAN do them, there’s no need to stop the process. Just don’t expect these things from a young child.
But, mama, you know your child best. If you have a preschooler who wants to do some school at home and you feel called to do it, believe that you can homeschool your preschooler and do it!
Lots of reading.
Loads of counting.
Poems and songs galore.
Oodles of art.
Dancing, moving, playing.
Matching games.
Puzzles.
Listen to your preschooler.
Watch him. Help her.
Slow down when needed.
Stop when necessary.
Laugh all the time.
Never cry.
{Believe me, there will be plenty of tears in the Middle/High School years when the classes are challenging and the enthusiasm has dwindled.}
If there are tears while homeschooling preschool from either you or your child, stop. It’s okay if your kiddo is not ready for preschool, It’s NOT okay if you force your little one to do the work when he/she is not ready.
You can homeschool your preschooler.
But, you don’t need to.
There is a difference.
And only YOU {and your little one} get to decide if you should.
For a second perspective, here’s a great video from another seasoned homeschool mom sharing her thoughts on some of the benefits of homeschooling your preschooler.
