Reasons to Homeschool for Preschool, Whether or Not You Continue to Homeschool:
- You can give your child the individual attention and custom program that best suits his or her needs.
- Many preschoolers are not ready to separate easily and home-preschooling can give your child the time he or she needs before separating.
- Removes the artificial deadline for potty training or the need to adjust naps times to accomodate school requirements.
- Preschoolers are fun and portable, so you can take them on many interesting field trips in your community.
- Spending time together preserves and strengthens the family bond formed in babyhood.
- You can delight in being with your child to witness and be a part of his or her discoveries.
Tips
- Don’t spend money until you have done a lot of reading. Read books and magazines and browse Web sites.
- Relax: there are no educational emergencies.
- It can be helpful to find other parents who are home preschooling. See Virginia Homeschool Groups to find a group near you.
- Do the things you’ve always wanted to do and teach the kids as you go.
- Evaluate your method regularly and make adjustments as you see fit.
- Realize you’ll have some ups and downs—they are part of the process.
- Choosing to homeschool your child can be scary, but remember, putting them in school is no guarantee either.
Articles
How Do I Start Homeschooling My Preschooler?
by Susan McGlohn
Homeschool Preschool
by Marjorie Cole
The Wonderful, Wacky World of “Unpreschooling”
by Celeste Land
Frequently Asked Questions About Homeschooling Young Children
by Linda Dobson
“Preschool” at Home
If You Have a Toddler, You’re a Homeschooler by Patricia Moon
Much Ado About Kindergarten
by Celeste Land
Web Sites
Abecedarian Academy
Provides skills lists, links to lesson plans, articles written by homeschooling moms, ideas for activities, and more.
Enchanted Learning
Craft ideas, “make-your-own” coloring books (animals, plants, foreign language words, etc.)
Gayle’s Preschool Rainbow
Ideas and lesson plans plus a good links page for finding additional resources. Booklists, toddler activities, extensive list of fingerplays and more.
“Toddler at Home” from A to Z Home’s Cool
Reviewed links in categories such as Activities, Advice, Online, Resources. Also includes these methods: Charlotte Mason, Montessori, Unschooling, Waldorf. A to Z is one of the better known and most useful sites for homeschoolers.
