Whether you’re a parent, a caregiver, or an educator, it’s important to provide the best education possible for the students you look after. The best homeschool curriculum for preschool is a great way to ensure students get the best start to their educational career and can spur on their continued intellectual growth. With the right curriculum, you have opportunity to bring customised learning and activities into the home, keeping the home environment relaxed and secure.
To help, we’ll answer fifteen of the most common questions about homeschool curriculums for preschool.
What Is a Preschool Homeschool Curriculum?
A preschool homeschool curriculum is generally a series of learning activities, assignments, and tutorials compiled for educational use for young school-aged children, often those between the ages of three and five. The curriculum is designed to be followed independently by a parent, educator, or caregiver, meaning that the student learns in the comfort of his or her own home and not in a structured school environment.
A homeschool curriculum generally works as a comprehensive program that contains instructional material and activities that parents can use as a blueprint for their student’s education. It serves as a routine to ensure the student is exposed to a range of different subjects, but also that the student is challenged and stimulated by the curriculum at hand. The curriculum includes easy-to-follow methods and processes that help learners develop problem-solving and critical thinking skills, as well as artistic and creative expression.
How Is a Preschool Homeschool Curriculum Different from a Regular Curriculum?
One of the main differences between preschool homeschool curriculum and regular curriculum is the environment in which it’s being used. Since the homeschool curriculum is based at home, it offers the student the chance for an individually customised educational experience. Depending on the curriculum, parents may be able to move through it in their own pace, allowing their student to build the skills they need at their own rate.
Plus, homeschool environments usually have much smaller student-teacher ratios than regular school environments, which can also allow parents to provide more individual attention and help to their student. Homeschool curriculums are typically not subject to the same standards, restrictions, or curriculum as public schools, meaning that parents can choose curriculums that focus on different aspects of education.
Homeschool curriculums often have activities that focus on hand-eye coordination, sensory development, communication, and social skills. They can also focus on topics that may not be available in a public school setting, such as foreign language study, baking, or film-making.
What Objectives Should a Preschool Homeschool Curriculum Aim to Achieve?
The goals of a preschool homeschool curriculum should be to improve the student’s confidence in the learning process, and to encourage the student to explore different topics and activities. It should also aid the growth of their problem-solving skills, communication, and artistic and creative expression. The curriculum should also work to ensure that the student is provided with a solid foundation of knowledge across a range of core subjects, such as reading and writing, mathematics, and science.
It should also spark the student’s interest in a range of topics, from the human body to history, geography, and cultural awareness.
What Are the Benefits of a Homeschool Curriculum for Preschoolers?
The most significant benefit of a homeschool curriculum for preschoolers is the increased amount of time that the student is able to spend within their own home environment. By educating children from home, parents can ensure that the student feels safe, relaxed, and happy in the learning environment and can work at their own pace.
The flexibility of homeschooling also allows parents and educators to develop a curriculum that’s tailored specifically to the student’s interests, needs, and skill level. This can include subjects that the student finds more difficult, such as mathematics, as well as activities outside of a traditional school setting, such as art or baking. Parents can easily adjust the curriculum to match the student’s needs, allowing them to explore their interests in a stimulating learning environment.
What Are the Disadvantages of a Homeschool Curriculum for Preschoolers?
One downside of homeschool curriculums for preschoolers is that the parents or caregivers become responsible for the day-to-day teaching and providing the necessary materials and activities for learning. Parents may also wish for their children to have access to the traditional educational opportunities available in a school, such as field trips or classroom discussions that may not be available in a homeschool environment.
Homeschooling can also be isolating for both the student and the parent. Students may struggle to interact with their peers, leading to a lack of social and emotional development. They may also miss out on the intellectual stimulation that a traditional school can provide and find it difficult to work on their own for sustained periods of time.
What Resources Are Required for a Homeschool Curriculum for Preschoolers?
Every homeschool curriculum for preschoolers is different, so the resources required to implement the curriculum may vary. Some of the general resources you’ll need are art supplies, writing materials, educational toys and puzzles, books, and music. Depending on the individual curriculum, you may also need to invest in additional materials such as specific equipment, software, or supplementary materials.
Some resources may also be available online. Many organizations provide online resources and activities to help homeschoolers teach, including online games, tutorials, and information.
Many curriculum kits may also come with printable worksheets and activities that parents can use with their students.
What Are Some Examples of Good Homeschool Curriculum for Preschoolers?
One of the best homeschool curriculums for preschoolers is the K12 curriculum, which is designed for four and five year-olds. It focusses on reading and writing, as well as mathematical and social development. For creative-based learning, the Art of Play Preschool Homeschool curriculum from Teach Preschool is a great choice.
It encourages learning through creative play, allowing the student to express their creativity while focusing on the development of skills necessary for academic success. The Oak Meadow curriculum is a great combination of the traditional and the homeschooling models, offering a mix of structure and freedom.
It provides interactive and print-based learning resources and promotes interactive play, music and art activities, as well as community engagement.
Do All Homeschool Curriculums Provide Online Support?
Not all homeschool curriculums provide online support, however many do. Many curriculums are available on a digital platform, meaning that they may come with an online support system, including the sharing of resources, instructional material, and discussion forums.
Those who choose to use a physical or printed curriculum may also be able to access online support. Many publishing houses offer online support via their websites or via email or phone. Online support may include resources such as instructional material, activities, and discussion forums.
How Can Parents Prepare for a Homeschool Curriculum for Preschoolers?
One of the best ways to prepare for a homeschool curriculum is to make sure the learning environment is ready. If possible, you should create a dedicated space for learning, and find ways to make it attractive and stimulating.
You should also decide on the teaching method you’ll use. There are many options, such as the unschooling method, the traditional homeschool method, and the Charlotte Mason method. Once you’ve made your decision, you can assemble the resources needed for the chosen method.
Parents should also read up about the educational psychology of the age group, so that they have a good understanding of their student’s needs. This can help them to create an environment that is supportive and encourages learning.
How Can Parents Engage Their Child in a Homeschool Curriculum?
One of the best ways to engage a child in a homeschool curriculum is to find activities that the student enjoys. Making learning fun and enjoyable is an important part of the process, so it’s important to ensure that the activities presented to the student are engaging and interesting.
If the child is having difficulty with a particular concept, you should try to break it down into smaller, more manageable parts. Parents can also use real-world examples to relate the concept to everyday life and make learning fun and exciting. Many curriculums provide activities for this purpose, and parents should use these activities to enhance learning and keep the student engaged.
What Are Some Recommendations for Choosing a Homeschool Curriculum for Preschoolers?
One of the best recommendations for choosing a homeschool curriculum for preschoolers is to make sure it’s tailored to your student’s needs and interests. You should also make sure it’s comprehensive, and covers topics such as reading and writing, mathematics, science, and social development.
It’s also important to make sure the activities are engaging and stimulates the student’s interest. Look more closely at the curriculum publisher’s activities and materials and choose those that encourage problem-solving, exploration, and creativity. Finally, make sure the curriculum includes assessment materials and worksheets so that you can track your student’s progress and adjust the curriculum based on their needs and interests.
Conclusion
Finding the best homeschool curriculum for your preschoolers can seem like a daunting task, but if you keep these points in mind, you can easily create an educational environment that is suited to their individual needs and interests. By educating at home, you can ensure that your student receives a secure and stimulating learning experience that can prepare them for a successful educational journey.