| Copyright 2006 Julie Shepherd Knapp |
| Copyright 2006 Julie Shepherd Knapp. All rights reserved. |
| about the book |
| The Homeschool Diner's Guide to Homeschooling Special Situations Homeschooling Preschoolers by Julie Shepherd Knapp, copyright 2006 Resources and suggestions for teaching 3 to 5 year olds at home. Should parents get a "head start" on academics with their 3, 4, and 5 year olds? Should the preschool years be spent learning thru play and natural discovery? Is there room for both types of activities? There are researchers who support both extremes and the middle of this debate. Children develop and mature at very different rates. While a few 3 year olds and some 4 year olds may be ready and willing to learn letters and letter sounds... not many will be ready for seat-work or formal reading programs. Many 5 year olds are ready... but some would really benefit from another year of play and unstructured exploratory learning. Even though public schools are beginning to teach reading at ever younger ages, not all experts agree that it is the best thing to do. Many homeschool parents find that educational TV programs, like Sesame Street, are all the preschool curriculum they need. Children can easily learn about colors, shapes, numbers, and letters from watching educational programs, from singing songs and playing games with their families, shopping and preparing meals with Mom, and from ordinary daily life. If your child really enjoys educational coloring pages or worksheets, there are many free online resources for those types of activities (see below). There are also many brands of preschool workbooks with the same types of activities available in your local bookstore. Several curriculum providers also sell packaged preschool-level curriculum. It is up to you, as the homeschooling parent, to decide what will be the best approach for your preschoolers. Whatever path you choose, be aware of how your child is responding to your choice, and be prepared to try something different if things don't work out the way you imagined. Preschool experiences (both good and bad) can set the stage for future attitudes about learning. So aim to keep it fun, and be sure the lessons are short and sweet... there are many years of learning ahead, but only a few years for exploring the world thru the eyes of a preschooler. Here's what some of the experts have to say ... A Homeschool Curriculum for Preschool and Kindergarten by Lillian Jones A Gift of Time by Sue Smith-Heavenrich , September - October 2001, Home Education magazine Much Too Early by David Elkind -- read what the original experts on early childhood learning had to say about academics vs exploratory play Let's Not Institutionalize 3, 4, and 5 Year Olds by Larry and Susan Kaseman -- When preschoolers learn at home... "... they can explore the world freely, in their own way and at their own pace, with the security that home and family provide." Do you know your state's "Compulsory Age of Attendance"? The school entrance age varies by state so be sure to check your own state regulations to find out when you need to begin meeting homeschool requirements. See The Homeschool Diner's Before You Begin section for more information. Curriculum and Other Resources Tons of Preschool Curriculum, Free Online Resources, Activities, Games, and Other Options Ready, Set, Read! How to Read to a Young Child by Dorothy P. Dougherty -- tips on reading to infants, toddlers, and preschoolers Related Issues Pre-writing skills and activities to strengthen hand muscles and improve dexterity in pre-writers and children who struggle with writing Is Your Child Gifted? Take a look at gifted characteristics in children The Diner's All Time Favorite ABC Books Delayed Instruction Approach Avoid Costly Curriculum Mistakes Homeschooling on a Budget Family Connections -- information on a family-school outreach program cites research which shows that enlightened parental involvement is the best indicator of positive school outcome Tykes on Trikes: The Preschooler's Bill of Rights -- parents against compulsory preschool (proposed in California) present their case Learn about Early Childhood Development Learning to Communicate Developmental Milestones for ages 1 - 6 includes milestones for motor skills, language, and social skills Social Skills Help Doctors Urge More Playtime for Children Old-Fashioned Play Builds Serious Skills by Alix Spiegel Walled Gardens by Bruce Van Patter -- striving to preserve childhood Raise Children with a Wild Streak by Mark Pruett The Wild Child a "deep thought" by Scott Noelle Values, Emotions, and Respect from the U of Illinois |
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