Homeschool Preschool FAQ
Welcome to the world of homeschool preschool! This is a fun, exciting place - where YOU get to be teacher, and your child learns from those who know him best. At Sonbeams, we are excited to offer materials to assist you as you homeschool preschool - teaching your preschooler not only ABC's and 123's, colors and shapes - but lessons on a Godly foundation, God's Holy Word, the Bible!
The Bible offers so many ways to teach our children about God while we also teach them the basics of preschool. As a stay at home homeschooling mom of preschoolers, I know how tight money can be. As a former preschool instructor, I knowwhat your child needs to learn andfun ways in which to teach them. At Sonbeams, you will find a combination of affordable, quality, and FUN - all while learning about God!
Below I'd like to address some frequently asked questions by parents as they consider homeschool preschool:
What is homeschool preschool?
Homeschool preschool is basically taking what might normally be playing and sitting with your child, and taking opportunities through these times to teach your child. You can have a set structured atmosphere or a laid back one - whatever works best for you and your child. I simply recommend to have FUN!Am I capable of teaching my child preschool at home?
My answer would have to be yes! God has called us as parents to train up our children in His ways. How can we do that when we aren’t with them? God gave this child to you, and you know them better than anyone else. God will allow you to see which areas your child excels in and which need a little more encouragement.Preschool is a time when little ones love to learn, and the best part is - you have nothing demanding what has to be learned and when. So, relax, take a deep breath, and then get ready to be a child again - because that's going to help your child learn more than anything, when you are on their level.
Where do I start/ how do I teach my child?
For starters, don’t be mislead that learning is just bookwork, but learn as you live life. So many opportunities are available each day in our lives – from cooking, laundry, cleaning, shopping. These offer math, color/ sorting skills, basic learning skills, reading, and so on….I'd recommend reading through our blog archives for information on how to begin homeschooling. We have many learning suggestions written there, and will continue being here to support you. If you are more comfortable being told exactly what to do, I'd suggest our Homeschool Preschool Curriculum Guides. These are ideas that I would use with my own children when we began homeschooling many years ago, and are now available to other parents.
With our homeschool guides, you are given lesson ideas for letters, numbers, shapes, colors, and Bible memorization. There are 5 days of guides each week - feel free to use as much or as little as works with your family. Some families have only 1 child and will need more to do, while others have other children as well and just can't work it all in. There's no right or wrong way to use them - they are there to guide you. You can view a sample of our curriculum here, purchase a 1 week trial for just $1 here, or receive the entire package here.
As you'll earn in our guides, I've found with my own children that we can learn just as well from things we have around the house. We simply can't go out and buy every learning object there is, and we've done great making our own resources. You can make your own flashcards, create your own games, and use opportunities that come your way to teach your child. Use getting dressed to teach right and left, go on treasure hunts for shapes/ colors/ letters, and one great thing - read and discuss books with your children.
You won’t find another curriculum quite like this ours, but in my opinion that’s a good thing! Your child will learn, just like the other children, but you don’t have the ‘burden’ of learning - so don't make it that way!:)
As you begin ‘school’ with your child, make this a time of fun – a time of learning together with your child. No stress, no worries, no schedule. You’ll quickly see that your child is not only picking up on their colors, letters, and numbers – but is also learning AND learning to love their Creator and Savior!
Remember, you can visit our blog to pick up ideas and tips along the way!
- What does a child learn in preschool?
Based on my past experience of teaching in a preschool:3 year olds - recognize and write their names, recognize and begin to write ABC's and numbers 1 to 10, color and shape recognition. Fine motor skills such as holding crayons correctly and using scissors. Gross motor skills such as catching and throwing a ball, running, and jumping should be focused on.
4 year olds - recognize and write their names if they don't know them already, learn the months of the year and days of the week, recogize and write numbers and and number words 1 to 10, recognize and write letters (upper and lowercase), recognize and be able to write colors and shapes. Child should know their full name, address, phone number, and parents' names.
Fine motor skills such as scissor cutting, holding a pencil correctly, and threading. Gross motor skills such as hopping, skipping, standing on one foot, catching and throwing balls, and more are focused on. Children should also be able read 3 to 5 letter words by the end of the year.
If you child is writing their name, knows their address and telephone number, knows colors and shapes/ ABC's upper and lowercase/ 123's to 10 by the time they reach kindergarten, they are right on track! With our program, you will be offered ways to teach all this - PLUS you can add memorizing the Bible and learning more about God as well. :)