Your little one is learning all the time, but is she ready for preschool at home?
Are you?
Read on to find out.
This article may contain affiliate links to products that may help you when homeschooling preschool.
Is Your Child Ready for Homeschool Preschool?
Your days are full of activity with your little one, but you haven’t yet focused on homeschool preschool.
When do you make the switch to incorporating some intentional learning activities?
You need to wait until your child is ready.
Most children are ready to start preschool activities at age 2.
At that point, they have mastered enough about themselves (they have progressed in language, movement, emotional regulation, etc.) to be curious about the world outside themselves.
They are ready to explore, discover, and learn.
Signs Your Child Is Ready for Preschool
Children are curious by nature.
(That’s why babies put everything in their mouths!) That curiosity drives them to explore, and that exploration leads to learning.
But when is your child ready to learn preschool content?
Here are some signs to look for:
He Listens
Kids have their own agenda and like to have their own way (don’t we all?).
As they grow, they will look to you for cues and will listen to what you have to say.
Your child is ready for preschool when he will follow one-step commands.
For example, “Take your shoes to your room,” or “Bring Mommy a book.”
She Enjoys Reading
Books are gateways to learning.
If your child loves to read with you, she is ready for preschool.
If you have an active child who doesn’t like to be still for anything, she may still be ready for preschool.
Try reading short books at night right before bed or at odd times of waiting.
You can also play audiobooks in the car or while she plays.
She may learn to love the stories and be open to flipping through the books with you later.
He Likes Nature
I know what you’re thinking, “Really?” But nature study and exploration are part of the “science” of preschool.
Does he like to watch ants climb into their anthill?
Does he collect rocks or twigs?
Throw sticks in streams?
Dig in the dirt?
Point out birds in the trees?
He is ready to learn more about the world.
She Likes Arts and Crafts
Does your child like to build and create?
This could include coloring, cutting, pasting, painting, beading, or molding.
These are all core fine motor activities and part of a preschool program.
He Can Focus on a Task
Young children aren’t known for their ability to focus, but attention spans do grow over time.
If your child can begin a task (like a wooden puzzle) and focus on it to completion, he is likely ready for homeschool preschool.
She’s Excited to Learn
A child ready for preschool is inquisitive about the world around her.
She’s asking you questions like, “What’s that?”
She wants to see what you’re doing in the kitchen, she points to pictures in books, and she is eager to inspect new things.
Are You Ready for Preschool?
If your child is showing signs of preschool readiness, you need to ask yourself, “Are you ready?”
Don’t worry–homeschool preschool will not take over your life.
In fact, you are probably doing a lot of educational activities already (reading to your child, doing puzzles, singing songs, doing crafts, etc.).
Homeschool preschool simply means you pick certain activities to do together each day that meet your educational goals.
Do you need help with that?
I’ve got you!
You can sign up below for a weekly lesson plan and printables to be delivered to your inbox–and it’s free!
Homeschool preschool also doesn’t take much time.
Most preschool programs are half-day, but they include recess, snack time, and free play.
Your homeschool preschool can include all that and more (field trips to the library, park, and walks in the woods).
Your focused instruction time is likely just an hour or two max.
Homeschool preschool will not hijack your day.
Determining If Your Child Is Ready for Preschool at Home
Your little one is curious about the big world, and now you know if she is ready for homeschool preschool.
When she is ready to take that step, you’ll be right there with her to learn, explore, and celebrate together.