Ideas for Homeschoolers for Preschool Aged Children

As a mother of ten children, I gained a lot of experience homeschooling my children through their preschool years and throughout high school. There are many things that you can do that don't take a lot of additional time. I used a variety of methods for homeschooling my little ones. There were plenty of natural moments to unschool and take advantage of the moment. There were times that the little ones wanted to copy the big kids and have written assignments. Workbooks were great for this. I recognized the danger of computers and made sure that their use was filtered, controlled and time limited. I looked for programs that engaged the young child, but didn't overstimulate. Too much computer use, especially unsupervised, leads to children that require constant stimulation to learn.

Unschool

Unschooling at the preschool level is essentially child-led discovery. At this age, children are naturally wired to learn; they don't need a desk or a syllabus to master the world around them. Instead of "teaching" them, you are facilitating their environment.

Here is how you can implement an unschooling philosophy in a home or daycare setting:

1. The "Strewing" Technique

Since you aren't using a formal curriculum, you "strew" interesting items around the room to spark curiosity.

• How it works: Leave a magnifying glass next to a tray of pinecones, or place a few magnetic letters (like 'C', 'A', and 'T') on the fridge or near a basket of toy animals.

• The Goal: You don't tell them to "come learn about the letter C." You wait for them to ask, "What is this?" or start playing with them. The spark comes from them.

2. Follow the "Rabbit Holes"

In unschooling, if a child becomes obsessed with garbage trucks, you don't move on to "Apple Week" just because the calendar says so. You lean in.

• The Garbage Truck "Curriculum":

  • Math: Count the wheels or the bins on the street.

  • Physics: Watch how the hydraulic lift works.

  • Literacy: Find library books about sanitation workers.

  • Art: Paint with wheels dipped in gray tempera.

3. Prioritize "Life Skills" as Education

Unschooling removes the barrier between "school time" and "real life." Everything is a lesson:

• Cooking: Measuring flour is math; watching bread rise is chemistry.

• Gardening: Planting buckwheat for your chickens is biology and responsibility.

• Grocery Shopping: Budgeting, sorting colors, and identifying labels.

4. Trust the "Invisible" Progress

The hardest part of unschooling for adults is the lack of "worksheets" to prove learning happened. You have to trust the process.

• The Philosophy: "They just see play. You see progress."

• A child spending three hours building a fort isn't "wasting time"—they are mastering engineering, spatial awareness, and persistence.

Comparison: Traditional vs. Unschooling

Feature Traditional Preschool Unschooling Preschool Schedule

Set times for art, snack, and circle.

Flows based on the child's energy and interest.

Topic Teacher-chosen (e.g., "The Rainforest"). Child-chosen (e.g., "Why do worms come out in rain?").

Environment Desks or designated stations. The whole world (the yard, the kitchen, the park).

Assessment Checklists and finished crafts. Observation of new skills and deep engagement.

Playdough

Workbooks

The use of workbooks in preschool is a topic of significant debate among early childhood educators. While they offer a clear structure, many experts argue they can't replace the deep learning that happens through tactile play.

Here is a breakdown of the advantages and challenges of introducing workbooks to 3- and 4-year-olds.

The Pros: Why Workbooks Can Be Helpful

• Visual Structure: Workbooks provide a clear, predictable sequence for learning. For a child learning their letters, seeing the path of a "J" or "K" on a page can help them understand the "map" of the character.

• Fine Motor Practice: Holding a crayon or pencil to follow a dotted line helps develop the small muscles in the hand and improves hand-eye coordination.

• Introduction to "Student" Life: For children heading into a traditional kindergarten setting, a few minutes of workbook time can help them get used to the concept of sitting at a table and focusing on a specific task.

• Tangible Progress for Parents: Workbooks provide a physical record of what a child is doing. For parents, seeing a completed page is a "receipt" of learning that can be more obvious than a story about a block tower.

• Portability: They are an easy, screen-free way to keep a child engaged during quiet time, travel, or at a restaurant.

The Cons: The Limitations of Paper-Based Learning

• One-Dimensional Learning: A workbook is flat. A child can trace a circle on a page, but they don't learn the "roundness" of it the way they do by holding an orange or rolling a ball.

• Fixed Answers (Right vs. Wrong): Workbooks often have one "correct" way to complete a task. This can accidentally discourage the creative, "outside-the-box" thinking that is vital at this age.

• Passive vs. Active Engagement: Sitting and circling pictures is a passive activity. At this age, the brain is most active when the body is moving.

• Frustration & Burnout: If a child’s fine motor skills aren't yet ready for precise writing, being forced to use a workbook can lead to a negative association with "school work" before they even reach kindergarten.

• Missed Social Opportunities: Workbook time is usually a solitary activity. In contrast, playing with siblings, or building with peers requires communication and cooperation.

The Balanced Approach: "The Hybrid Method"

Most modern preschools use workbooks as a supplement, not the core curriculum. The goal is to ensure the child stays engaged.

"They just see play. You see progress."

How to balance it:

1. Introduce the concept physically first: Use play-dough to mold a letter or sand to trace a shape.

2. Use the workbook to reinforce: Once the child "feels" the shape, use a workbook page for 5–10 minutes to practice the visual representation.

3. Keep it optional: If a child is frustrated by the page, put it away. Forcing a preschooler to finish a worksheet usually results in more resistance than learning.

You might choose a favorite workbook to be part of your daily routine, or you might want to design your own curriculum with printable sheets for your students.

Curriculum

Packaged curriculums are popular for providing a consistent structure, especially in licensed home-based settings. They generally fall into two categories: All-in-One Kits (everything in a box) and Themed Subscription Kits (new activities delivered monthly).

1. All-in-One Kits (Traditional & Structured)

These are complete programs that cover a full year of learning. They are often "open-and-go," meaning very little prep is required.

• Horizons Preschool (Alpha Omega Publications): A very comprehensive set that covers social studies, language arts, math, and phonics through 180 lessons. It includes student workbooks, teacher guides, and even a music CD.

  • Where to buy: Amazon, Christianbook.com, and Curriculum Express.

• Abeka Preschool: Known for being highly structured and visually bright. They offer specific "Bible Kits" and "Language Development" sets for 2- and 3-year-olds.

  • Where to buy: Directly through Abeka.com or Christianbook.com.

• The Good and the Beautiful: This is a popular "interactive" curriculum that focuses on nature and literature. It’s less "worksheet-heavy" and more about hands-on activities and beautiful artwork.

  • Where to buy: Exclusively through their own website, GoodandBeautiful.com.

• Timberdoodle Elite Kits: These are unique because they aren't just books; they are "curated boxes" that include high-quality toys, STEM kits, art supplies, and workbooks from various brands.

  • Where to buy: Timberdoodle.com.

2. Provider-Focused Subscription Kits

If you are running a daycare, these are often preferred because they handle the "theme" planning for you and ensure you meet state standards.

• Experience Curriculum (formerly Mother Goose Time): This is a gold standard for licensed providers. Every month, you receive a box with a new theme (like "Community Helpers" or "Arctic Animals"), including teacher guides, craft supplies for each child, and assessment tools aligned with state standards.

  • Where to buy: https://www.google.com/search?q=ExperienceCurriculum.com.

• FunShine Express: Similar to Experience Curriculum, they offer "Buttercups" for infants/toddlers and "Fireflies" for preschoolers. They provide all the materials needed for daily lessons, which is a massive time-saver.

  • Where to buy: FunShineExpress.com.

3. Retail Workbooks (Budget-Friendly)

If you prefer to build your own flow but want a "paper-and-pencil" anchor, these jumbo workbooks are widely available.

• Scholastic Early Learners: They offer "Jumbo Workbooks" and "Wipe-Clean" books that are great for repetitive practice.

• The Complete Book of PreK: A very thick, colorful workbook that covers the basics (colors, shapes, letters, numbers).

  • Where to buy: Amazon, Target, Walmart, and Barnes & Noble.

Quick Shopping Guide:

• Amazon: Best for individual workbooks (Scholastic, Brain Quest) and some big-brand kits (Horizons, Saxon).

• Direct Websites: Most "specialty" or nature-based curriculums (The Good and the Beautiful, Harbor + Sprout) can only be bought directly from the creator to keep costs lower for the consumer.

• Rainbow Resource Center: This is essentially the "Amazon of homeschooling." They carry almost every curriculum mentioned above and often have lower prices or better "kit" bundles.

A Professional Tip: If you're looking for something that allows for that "unschooling" feel while still having a safety net, Harbor + Sprout or Playing Preschool (by Busy Toddler) are fantastic. They focus on play and nature but give you a clear map to follow if you get stuck!

Pixels vs. Playdough ......Computers or Screenfree

Striking the right balance between the digital world and the tactile world is one of the most discussed topics in early childhood education today. In our classroom, we believe that both high-tech tools and screen-free play have a vital seat at the table.

Here is a look at why we value both "pixels and play-dough" for our preschoolers.

The Digital Advantage: Why We Use Computers

When used intentionally, technology is more than just a screen; it’s a window into new ways of thinking.

• Building Digital Literacy: Our children are growing up in a digital age. Introducing computers in a guided way helps them view technology as a tool for creation rather than just a source of passive entertainment.

• Adaptive Learning: High-quality educational software can move at a child's individual pace. If a child masters their "Joyful Letters" quickly, the program can offer a new challenge; if they need more time, it provides patient, repetitive practice without frustration.

• Expanding Horizons: A computer allows us to "visit" the Great Barrier Reef or watch a space shuttle launch—experiences we couldn't easily have in our West Valley classroom. It sparks curiosity about the world beyond our front door.

• Fine Motor & Cognitive Skills: Using a mouse or navigating a touch screen requires hand-eye coordination and logical problem-solving ("If I click here, then this happens").

The Screen-Free Essential: Why We Unplug

While computers are great tools, the most profound learning for a three- or four-year-old usually happens in the physical world.

• Sensory-Rich Learning: You can’t smell a digital flower or feel the weight of a wooden block on a screen. Screen-free play engages all five senses, which is how young brains build the strongest neural connections.

• Social & Emotional Growth: Real-world play requires negotiation. "Can I have the blue truck?" or "Let's build a castle together" teaches empathy, turn-taking, and conflict resolution in a way a computer program never can.

• Physical Health: Screen-free time is active time! Whether it's dancing, climbing, or painting on a large easel, children need to move their bodies to develop gross motor skills and healthy habits.

• Unstructured Imagination: A cardboard box can be a rocket ship, a bakery, or a cave. Screen-free play encourages "divergent thinking"—the ability to see infinite possibilities in a single object.

Finding the "Sweet Spot"

Our philosophy is that technology should augment, not replace, traditional play.

"They just see play. You see progress."

We might use a computer to look up what a real-life robin’s nest looks like, but then we’ll put the screen away and head outside to find twigs and mud to build our own. By balancing the two, we ensure our students are tech-savvy, socially confident, and—most importantly—happy, well-rounded kids.

What’s your take?

Do you prefer a totally screen-free environment at home, or do you have a favorite educational app your little one loves? We’d love to hear how you balance tech in your family!