So, you’ve decided to homeschool your little one. Good for you! Now, you must figure out the necessary steps to homeschool your preschooler. I was here a few years ago, researching, weighing options, and asking friends for resources. But here I am, a few years later, ready to share what I’ve learned!
Here’s what we will cover in this post:
- How to decide on a program
- Supplies needed to succeed
- How to properly plan activities around the curriculum you’ve chosen
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How to Create a Homeschool Space Within Your Home
10+ Homeschool Supplies for Success
Making the Decision
Growing up, I went to public school. I didn’t have the best experience, quite honestly. I was bullied, witnessed traumatizing events, and have things that still stick with me to this day. You’re probably thinking, “Get over it! It’s been 10+ years!” But I believe that sometimes the things that stick with us as parents or come back to our memory as parents are to help us use them in our parenting decisions and styles. I am by no means living in fear for my children, but I do understand that it is my responsibility to keep them safe, pour the right things into them, and teach them how to navigate life before becoming adults.
The decision to homeschool my kids came in 2019. Of the many reasons we decided, I will share this one… I knew I wanted to be the main one, pouring into my kids and teaching them right from wrong alongside my husband. It was huge for me to allow them to have a voice and not be silenced by societal norms. The program we chose gave us the freedom to teach on a flexible schedule, 4-days a week. We could do so if we needed to skip a day or two for vacation because it is an open-and-go program. If we wanted to take a full-day field trip to the Children’s Museum, we would not have to worry about getting behind on our curriculum.
Whatever the reason for your decision, make sure you stand by it and don’t let anyone else try to influence it negatively. Our kids are our future! How we choose to raise them is on us, not anyone else.
So, let’s dive in!
How to Decide on a Program
This was the most research I’ve done in my life. Start by writing down what you want in a program. What values are important to you? What things do you NOT want to be taught to your kid? Do you want to spend time prepping each week or have an open-and-go approach? How does your child learn best now?
These things will factor into what type of program you should choose for your little one. My decision to homeschool with Gather ‘Round Homeschool came from a mentor who loved it for her kids. It’s an open-and-go program that can be taught to all age groups, hence the name, ‘Gather ‘Round.’ I knew I would be homeschooling multiple kids at different ages, and what I taught to one would eventually be repeated, but if I could touch on some things early with my boys to get them introduced to things ahead of schedule, I’m all for it!
We started a “trial year” with my daughter after her 3rd birthday. My daughter is nicknamed the ‘Golden Child’ by some family members, and part of that is because she is advanced. She was using sentences and spelling her name before the age of 2, and starting early made sense to us. It gave me a grace-filled year to see what it took to be a homeschooling working mom.
Here’s a list of places to start:
- What are the requirements of your state for homeschooling and reporting?
I didn’t know this was a thing until I looked into it. Especially if you want your kiddo to go to college or potentially go to public or private schools, you will want to keep up to date with what the requirements are to do so.
- How easy do you want homeschooling to be?
If you want homeschooling to be something you add to your daily routine, 30 minutes is all you need for a preschooler with our program! In addition, we sprinkle in chores, some educational play, extracurricular activities, and field trips to learn more about the topic we are studying. In most cases, 30 minutes is all you need at this age!
If you want a more structured homeschool plan, you will want to look for programs with those aspects that have more set-in-stone learning topics and schedules.
- What values are important to you?
Do you value a curriculum that’s a Montessori or self-taught program? If so, add that to your list of musts. Do you value a more Christian-based curriculum? You know where to start your research. The choice is yours! So many programs are within reach and communities where people can ask questions.
Whatever you choose, please write it down so you can check it off when weighing your options for the programs you are deciding between. Facebook groups, Co-op, church communities, and other groups can be a great resource! I’ve found a non-judgmental community in Gather ‘Round. They’ve created an app where asking questions is encouraged, and judgment is not tolerated. I needed that in my first year of homeschooling! I had (and still sometimes have) no clue what to do, but I had a group to lean on.
Supplies Needed to Succeed
I was thrilled to be able to get a homeschool space set up for my daughter! If you’re just as excited as me, here’s a starting place: HOW TO CREATE A HOMESCHOOL SPACE WITHIN YOUR HOME
I knew this was an investment into my child’s future, but I wanted to start small and see what helped her learn best. I started at the dollar store, which was a mistake because I realized quickly that I needed better quality supplies to get through the year. This is more than just crayons, markers, and glue. These things will help you get and stay organized throughout the year.
Start with a planner to write out all of your needs and set time aside to plan your future schooling space. I’ve found that people like the option of a digital planner. I use digital and physical planners! Check out my undated digital planner for mommas on the go who want to use a device to update their aesthetically pleasing planner. If you like to keep it simple, here’s my favorite physical planner!
Check out this list of Supplies for Success!
How to Properly Plan Activities Around a Homeschool Schedule
This one took practice. Getting our kiddos socialized with others is vital for developing solid communication skills and even strengthening their decision-making skills. I wondered if my kids would have the skills they needed for the future. Could they create lasting friendships or be independent without me in the same room? I implemented a few things into our schedule to ensure we stayed within those areas. I’m excited to share them with you!
Activities For Growth
- Swimming Lessons
- Gymnastics or Dance Classes
- Outdoor Team Sports
- Indoor Team Sports
- Craft Classes
- Cooking Classes
- Free Library Courses/Programs
- Play Dates
- 4H Programs
I love all of these ideas because they’ve been great for us! I’ve seen a change in my kids’ confidence and willingness to communicate and interact with other kids by adding a few to our routine. A lot of these things can be free as well. We utilize our local library’s Ready for Kindergarten program and the kid’s reading section to build on our interactions and learn things like waiting our turn, raising our hands, sharing, cutting, and writing. With being home most of the time, it helps to do something outside of the home.
The best thing you can do is research, plan, and list what you do and don’t want for your homeschool life. Ensure you are prepared for the year ahead with supplies that will keep you organized and ready to learn together. Incorporate activities and extracurriculars into your routine, and you will be on your way! I can’t wait for you to start this journey, giving yourself grace and your little one patience as you grow together!
Together, we rise!
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