Thinking About Homeschooling Pre-k and K?

Are you thinking of homeschooling your upcoming preschooler or Kindergartener? Need some ideas and a place to start? As I’m preparing for our next year of homeschool, I thought I’d share what we did for Pre-K and K these past three years and the resources we love.

First, let’s talk about WHY you might want to do preschool at home instead of just playing (not that there’s anything wrong with that). Then I’ll give you three basics for getting started. 

In another post, I’ll tell you what our experience was and give you a good list of recommended books, resources, and curriculum for these early years. 


To Pre-K or Not to Pre-K? 

My take on pre-K work is that it’s not all that valuable when it comes to actually learning facts. I have seen my younger kids naturally pick up on the things I intentionally (with a lesson) taught to my oldest one. 

If you are inclined to ignore formal lessons and stick to reading and playing, do it! If you are inclined to start something more structured with your kids, that’s fine too! Just be sure you’re not pushing them – make it light and make it fun! 15-30 minutes a day, max. 

That said, here are the pros we experienced of doing structured pre-K work at home:

• Establishing a habit of daily Bible time together 
• Focusing on character and life skills lessons
• Getting your feet wet with the homeschooling thing
• Having fun activities to do with your kids (these early lessons helped me be better later on with spontaneous activities and play)
• Helping you provide some routine to your day (not strict schedule, but general routine)
• Beginning to learn your child’s learning style and your teaching style

When to take a break and focus on play and reading together instead:

• You find yourself getting stressed out, frustrated, or angry during planned activities
• Your kids are getting stressed out, frustrated, or angry during planned activities
• It’s a busy week, holiday time, big life change, illness, etc.
• You or your kid would rather be playing outside

Remember: Preschool and Kindergarten are great times to HAVE FUN with your kids and ENJOY the new world of homeschooling together! Do not make it a chore. There will be plenty of time for that later. 😉

Getting Started

1. Know the Laws. Start researching general information about homeschooling and the state laws. Usually these won’t impact you in these early years, but it’s good to know up front. Find this info at HSLDA. 


2. Learn All You Can. Start researching general homeschool information. These early years are a great time to get familiar with different methods, curriculums, teaching and learning styles, and to start exploring local and online support organizations. 

• Find a homeschool conference in your state and go
• Find a local homeschool group through church 
• Ask another homeschool mom (or three) to coffee and pick her brain 
• Get a group of other moms and kids together and “do school” together once a week
• Look up online homeschool groups for information and support (I’ll give you some ideas for this in the next post)

3. Pick something and get started. 

Yes, you will be overwhelmed with options and information. Take a deep breath, find something simple and doable for where you and your child are right now, and just start! 

Take the perspective that you’re having fun with it while you learn the ropes. Otherwise, you’ll get stuck in analysis paralysis and constantly doubt what you’re doing. You can (and probably will) change direction later, but that’s ok! Roll with it. 🙂 

Are you considering homeschool for Preschool or Kindergarten? What are your biggest questions and worries as you get started? 



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Linking up with:
Monday – Raising Arrows, The Better Mom
Tuesday – Road to 31, Growing Home, Time-Warp Wife, Hip Homeschool Hop
Wednesday – Black Fox Homestead, Deep Roots at Home, Hope in Every Season, A Wise Woman Builds Her Home, Raising Homemakers, Women Living Well
Thursday – All Things With Purpose, Serving Joyfully, Leaving a Legacy, Giveaway Day with Hip Homeschool Moms, Enchanted Homeschooling Mom, Raising Mighty Arrows
Friday – Womanhood With Purpose, Holy Spirit Led Homeschooling
Other – Look What We Did