As you get started with teaching your preschool child at home, it's important to take some time to prepare.
Caring for preschoolers requires a lot of mental space, we have to be responsive to their needs, so taking the time to set up your space, and clear your head can help you get your homeschool preschool adventure off to a strong start.
- Prepare your heart to meet the needs of your preschooler by taking time to let go of fear (my book Mothering by the Book can help), comparison, and distraction.
- Prepare to meet the needs of your unique child by paying attention to how they spend their time, where conflicts arise for them, and what motivates them.
- Prepare a vision of what you want your home life to be life.
When I was a young mom, I read in a homeschool anthology about one family's day. Each morning they woke, took time to brush teeth, make beds, and get dressed, and had a simple breakfast of eggs and toast or oatmeal. As they worked through this morning rhythm the mother was careful to talk her children through their routines, and to teach them to care for themselves and their space. She was fully engaged with preparing her children for the day.
Later, the family took a walk down their tree lined drive, and then gathered back in their living room to read stories together, draw, and play with art materials.
The description of what learning looked like in this family gave me a vision for something similar.
In our home we would get up and eat breakfast, tidy our bedrooms and kitchen, and then I'd cut up a big bowl of apples and we would head to our learning space. When we gathered there we would sing together, read stories, feed our pets, and draw, write, or play.
It helped me give my young children a responsive home atmosphere that prepared them for learning.
So take time to prepare.
Prepare to parent without fear, prepare to observe your child, and prepare a vision of what you want these early years memories to consist of. The quiet growing time from birth to age 6 is a special season that is worth savoring.
Action Step: Take some time to just observe your child. Watch how they play, what frustrates them, and where the triggers are for meltdowns. Take some notes so you can form a plan with that awareness.
Would you like guidance for creating this kind of atmosphere?
Check out The Peaceful Preschool, our 26 week resource with helpful parent guide, weekly grid, and daily lesson plans.
The Peaceful Preschool
Shop all of our resources for the early years including chore and routine packs, early years morning menu, and more here!
Early Years Collection
