In Part 1, we looked at the reasons for educating your children at home.
Now, let’s dive into how you can spark your child’s imagination and interest from a young age. There are three key approaches that can help you achieve this in an enjoyable and effective manner.
The top recommendation I have for parents is to begin with a solid children’s book guide.
Let’s start with what’s absolutely crucial. The simplest way to motivate little ones to learn is surprisingly straightforward, and it benefits parents, too.
1. Spend Time Outdoors
Children’s curiosity flourishes the more they explore the great outdoors, and this sensory learning is incredibly valuable.
Make it a point not to hold back on outdoor time. Weather permitting, take them outside several times a day and linger there. Walking is a fantastic way to engage!
No matter your location, nature serves as the perfect classroom. You can observe vibrant colors, intricate patterns, and listen to sounds like chirping birds and rustling leaves. Feel the gentle breeze and warm sunlight, and if you supervise closely, let them taste fresh berries or tomatoes right from the garden.
Speaking of play, it’s worth noting that play is a child’s primary occupation, and outdoor play provides the best environment for that. Engaging in play with your kids—whether inside or outside—is crucial. Sharing laughter and joy should be a regular part of your daily routine.
So, invite them to experience the wonders just outside your door. Let them verbally express those experiences. It’s natural to share observations like, “Look at that beautiful flower!” Depending on their age, ask, “What color is it? Isn’t it soft? Let’s leave it here to keep growing!”
Next, let’s discuss another essential element of your child’s learning journey.
2. Communicate About Everything
The earlier you start talking with your child, the more verbal and expressive they’ll become, which is fundamental for sharing thoughts and needs effectively.
Engage in conversation outdoors, indoors, at mealtimes, and even during diaper changes!
Point out things, use adult terms to explain them, and encourage them to label what they see.
Initially, you might start with simple nouns (“Do you see the ball? Can you say ball?”), but gradually introduce adjectives (“purple ball”) and other speech components leading to phrases and sentences.
Remember to treasure those adorable miscommunications. If you can, record them for grandparents. Just continue to model correct language use. Don’t correct them explicitly; simply use the words properly yourself.
3. Foster a Love for Books
The final topic in the preschool curriculum is “Introduction to Books.”
Hard copy books that children can explore should be introduced right from the beginning.
There are soft books available for infants to chew on, so let your child enjoy those tactile experiences. Turn the pages, show them pictures, and discuss what you observe like, “Do you see the black square?”.
Waterproof books can be great for bath time, letting kids play with “chewable” images, which often means explaining rather than doing traditional reading.
During the initial years, board books are excellent as they serve as an introduction to “regular” books, featuring brief texts and colorful images. Building a library is a worthwhile investment, as you will likely revisit these frequently.
There are timeless board books that have stood the test of time, as well as some perfect for bedtime. Keep these books accessible in various places your child might wish to read. Separate those specifically for bedtime as you establish a routine.
And please, teach your child to respect books. Avoid letting them throw or climb on them. It’s crucial they learn to handle books gently before transitioning to picture books, which have regular pages that can tear.
There’s a wealth of fantastic options at this stage, and you might find your childhood might just fly by before you exhaust your list of great books. To reiterate, you can and should have books everywhere—bedtime books, car books, etc. It’s tough to have too many books, though, as a book lover myself, I might be biased!
I haven’t delved into the specifics of board or picture book contents yet. I’ll just mention that some Christian-themed board books can be unsuited for younger reading age. A few I once ordered had text that felt too sophisticated for my toddler, despite one being a bit more appropriate.
It’s strange, but it’s worth noting. There are numerous children’s books out there that can be totally inappropriate for any child, including yours. Always skim through books, paying attention to both the text and illustrations before acquiring them—good practice if borrowing from libraries too.
Things to Avoid in the Home (and Additional Art Curriculum Ideas)
As we’re on the subject of avoiding certain things, let me share the power of self-control here. In fact, it’s quite possible that your child can thrive without screen time during those critical early years—maybe even until they’re about ten. Research indicates that screen exposure can be detrimental for young kids, so it’s wise to avoid creating habits that might be hard to break. If you’ve already allowed it, it’s probably best to reconsider that choice sooner rather than later.
Parents should steer clear of reading children’s books on devices like Kindles, letting them engage with video games, or suggesting screens are necessary for fun.
You might need to illustrate this by setting an example—just put your phone down.
What kind of child do you want? One who prefers sitting in front of a screen or one who enjoys outdoor play, engaging conversations, and shared reading?
To be blunt, “Screens are bad.”
However, there’s an effective way to benefit from your TV time: play symphony orchestra performances (these can easily be found on platforms like YouTube). Your child will gain exposure to different instruments, but it also serves as a wonderful introduction to music in their daily lives.
Getting Your First Curriculum
Here’s a brief list of truly excellent books across various categories that will be beneficial:
First Books
You’ll find it easy to discover fun fabric and bath time books. Sensory books featuring textures your child can explore, like those below, make wonderful starters.
Board Books
Try anything authored by Sandra Boynton. One of my personal favorites:
If you’ve seen mention of bedtime books before, here are some essential picks.
And here are additional age-appropriate Christian board books.
Classic Picture Books
These are some favorites we adore.
Many authors have more than one classic book worth checking out, so don’t hesitate to look for their other works. Of course, thousands of amazing picture books exist. The challenge? So many books, so little time!
Children’s Book Guide
The top book recommendation I want to emphasize is to secure a solid children’s book guide to reference. All the books listed here are fantastic, and I personally believe it’s not excessive to include them all in your home library. And yes, you can always opt to read it on your Kindle if that works better for you.
Congratulations!
You’ve just completed the basics of Home Education 101, particularly focused on preschool. Here’s what you need to remember to kickstart “homeschooling” your little one:
- Get them outside
- Engage in conversation
- Share a love for books
This combination is hard to beat.
A version of this essay previously appeared in She Speaks Truth.
