The toddler years are gone but is your little one ready to start homeschooling preschool?
Read on to find out!
This article may contain affiliate links to products that may help you when homeschooling preschool.
Why Start Homeschooling Preschool
Maybe you already are homeschooling other kids or maybe you want to add more structure to your day, whichever it may be, choosing to start homeschooling preschool is a personal choice.
Your little one is learning all day every day.
But by calling it preschool you can keep yourself focused on the task at hand.
You don’t need fancy things to start homeschooling preschool.
Spending time with your little one, reading, and playing together are all important things that happen in preschool.
You are most likely already doing many ‘preschool’ things.
Things to Look For
There isn’t one indicator that each child shows when he is ready to start homeschooling preschool (although that would make it a lot easier!).
Check out the list below to see if your little one is showing any of these signs that he might be ready to start homeschooling preschool.
Interest in Reading and Writing
Many little ones start to show interest in reading and writing when they are ready to start homeschooling preschool.
Writing may be as simple as using a crayon on paper.
Reading interest may look like your little one bringing books over to you to read.
Don’t be afraid to keep a well-stocked home library of award-winning books for your child to explore!
Focus on a Task
Young kids tend to move from one item to another quickly, without thought.
You’ll start to see a shift in your little one picking up a toy and playing for more than a few moments with it.
Try setting up a sensory bin and seeing if your little one can focus on playing in the sensory bin.
Watch to see if he can play by himself for more than 5 minutes.
Follow Directions
If you ask your little one to get his water bottle from the table, would he be able to?
Understanding and following directions are key parts of preschool.
Your little learner needs to be able to understand your directions to do the activity you have planned for him.
Listen to Your Gut
What is your gut telling you?
Mother intuition is an amazing thing.
Would your little guy be able to keep up with what you have planned?
If not, plan simpler activities or change your expectations.
The great thing about choosing to start homeschooling preschool is that if your little one doesn’t seem ready, wait a few weeks and reevaluate. If you force it, you’ll ruin your homeschool efforts before you even begin!
Eagerness to Explore
Some kids ask the question, “Why?” over and over to try to figure things out.
Other kids are content doing the same thing time and time again.
Usually when kids are seeking more information or different activities to do it is an indicator to you that they are ready to learn something new.
Sorting, Matching, and Making Patterns
Finding similarities and matching similar items are the start of your little one doing math problems.
Interest and ability to find similar items show that your little one is ready to continue learning.
Independent Work
Will your little one play without you?
Independent play not only shows that your little one can come up with what to play (and how to play it) but also that he is not attached to you at the hip.
Letting your little one play independently helps him to build up his confidence and to follow what his brain is telling him without always seeking your approval.
Start Homeschooling Preschool
There isn’t a set time when you should start homeschooling preschool.
Some kids show signs of being ready at 2.5 and others aren’t ready until 4.5.
The great thing about homeschooling is you can tailor it to fit the needs of your little one.
If something is too hard, you can help guide him.
If something is too easy, you can make it a bit more challenging.
No one knows your child better than you.
Hopefully, you have a few ideas of what to look for to see if your little one is ready to start homeschooling preschool.