The most asked question I receive from dozens of mamas every single week is what curriculum to use for preschool. The answer is a simple one: DON’T.
In the precious early years, my approach to education embraces the beauty of play-based learning and not interrupting this natural process with hours of sitting down filling out worksheets.
As a seasoned homeschooling mother with over 15 years of experience, I’ve witnessed the incredible impact of allowing young minds to explore, create, and discover through play. Instead of rigidly adhering to traditional worksheets and formal curriculum, I believe in cultivating a love for learning through engaging activities that align with a child’s natural curiosity.
By fostering an environment where little ones can freely explore their interests, we lay a strong foundation for future academic success while cherishing the joy that comes with uninhibited, unstructured play.
The essence of these formative years is not found in completing worksheets but rather in the exploration of the world around them, promoting a holistic approach to early childhood education that aligns with our mission of Raising Wild Saints.
The Beauty In The Early Years
Homeschooling during the preschool years is a unique and joyous endeavor that sets the foundation for a lifelong love of learning. My approach to homeschooling preschool is rooted in the values of faith, holistic development, and a deep understanding of each child’s unique learning journey.
I know it’s all too tempting to buy a cute preschool program and start doing worksheets every day with your child, but don’t feel pressured to do so. If you child shows an interest in doing worksheets, that’s awesome! I’m not saying you can’t do worksheets, but that shouldn’t be the focus during those early years when learning through play is SO important.
If your child is showing an interest in exercising their pincher grip and writing on paper, we have plenty of gentle early learning resources for that in our SHOP!
There are 6 pillars to my approach for homeschooling preschool that includes drawing from Montessori methods, life skills, fostering a love for reading, unstructured play, and learning through the beauty of nature.
Montessori Method: Fostering Independence and Love for Learning
In our homeschool, we weave the magic of Montessori principles into our daily activities. Montessori method emphasizes self-directed learning and practical life skills, empowering our little ones to explore their world with curiosity and independence. From pouring activities to buttoning exercises, these intentional practices lay the groundwork for a child’s holistic development.
Learning Life Skills: Building Capability from the Start
Our homeschool preschool goes beyond traditional academics to instill valuable life skills in our children. Tying shoelaces, setting the table, and simple cooking activities become avenues for developing responsibility and capability. By integrating life skills into our daily routine, we nurture well-rounded individuals who approach life with confidence and competence.
The Montessori Home
“Author and certified Montessori guide Ashley Yeh tackles each room of the home and explains how to provide young children with the accessibility they need to complete practical life skills on their own, tapping into their innate desire to “do it myself.” Whether your child is an infant, toddler, or preschooler, there are simple and inexpensive changes you can make to foster independence and reduce the stress around mealtimes, bedtime, and leaving the house.”
A Bookish Beginning: Nurturing a Love for Reading
Central to our homeschooling philosophy is the belief that a love for reading opens doors to a world of knowledge and imagination. Daily read-aloud sessions, a rich array of literature, and opportunities for independent exploration create an environment where literacy becomes a natural, joyous part of our preschool curriculum.
Wondering how to encourage of love of reading without starting off on the wrong foot? Read this blog post about how my kids learned to read.
Unstructured Play: Where Learning Takes Center Stage
Unstructured, open-ended play is not just a pastime; it’s a cornerstone of our homeschool preschool. Through imaginative play and play-based learning, our children develop creativity, problem-solving skills, and social competence. In these moments of free exploration, they absorb knowledge naturally, fostering a love for learning that extends far beyond the confines of structured lessons.
25 Independent activities for toddlers
Check out the blog post “Homeschooling With Littles: 25+ Independent Activities for Toddlers While You Are Teaching Older Kids” for easy to incorporate ideas you can try today!
The Great Outdoors: A Classroom Without Walls
Spending extensive time outdoors is not just a choice but a commitment inspired by the 1000 Hours Outside initiative. Nature becomes our classroom, offering a wealth of sensory experiences and opportunities for exploration. As we participate in this initiative, we witness the profound impact of outdoor play on our children’s physical, mental, and spiritual well-being.
The 1000 Hours Outside initiative encourages families to aim for spending 1000 hours outdoors each year. This commitment not only enhances physical health but also cultivates a sense of wonder and appreciation for the beauty of the world around us.
Play-Based Learning
Our homeschool preschool curriculum harmoniously integrates play-based learning and sensory play to introduce early literacy, colors, shapes, the alphabet, numbers, and early math skills. Through hands-on activities and engaging experiences, our little ones grasp foundational concepts with joy and enthusiasm, fostering a positive attitude towards learning that will accompany them throughout their educational journey.
Here is one of my favorite resources to recommend to parents who are just getting started and want to introduce letters in a gentle way.
wonders of nature
EARLY YEARS COLLECTION
These interactive, reusable sheets were designed to offer young children a multi-sensory invitation to recognizing, forming, and writing letters. The watercolor illustrations that coordinate with each letter of the alphabet teach early phonetic awareness by introducing them to beginning letter sounds.
As we navigate the precious preschool years in our homeschooling adventure, we strive to create an environment that nurtures the whole child—mind, body, and spirit. Our approach, inspired by faith and enriched by a diverse array of educational philosophies, aims to lay the groundwork for the future Saints we are raising, instilling in them a love for learning that resonates with the teachings of our faith.
