Homeschooling in Kindergarten: The Wonder Years
Homeschooling in kindergarten is a great opportunity to shape your child’s love of learning in early childhood. The literal meaning of kindergarten is “garden of children” which evokes the unique beauty of each young tender seedling. Let the vibrancy, wonder and beauty of a garden be the controlling metaphor of education in your child’s early years. With a little planning and preparation, you can home school your kindergartener. You can be the gardener who cultivates curiosity and witnesses major developmental milestones in the life of your son or daughter.
What a privilege to teach your child the basic skills of early education while cultivating a sense of wonder. Many websites, books, blogs, materials can help you plan and execute a successful homeschooling experience for your kindergartener. Many options include detailed lesson plans. The lesson plans serve as a guide and increase your confidence in covering all the material your child needs to know. Most curriculum even provides resources to provide your child with extra practice with the basic skills you will be teaching. Bear in mind that success is measured in wonder not worksheets. The goal is to help your child develop broadly not to simply replicate a classroom with desks at home. For the young child, the world is brimming with wonder-filled occurrences. Your child’s eyes and questions may re-awaken wonder in you too!
The wonder years: What does your child need to learn in kindergarten?
Wonder comes in several varieties. There is the wonder of the created world: things that walk, swim, fly or spin; things that speak, squawk or rumble; things that smell good (or bad); things that are soft, rough or oily. Engaging all their senses, children can explore the world around them. As they do, help them to count, notice patterns, and use descriptive words. Consider making nature walks a regular part of your daily routine, in good weather and bad. Notice changes through the seasons. Encourage questions, and find the answers together. Become a fellow-explorer.
The Wonder of the Written Word
Beyond the wonder of creation, there is also the wonder of the written word, often coupled with the wonder of imagination. Don’t underestimate the powerful gift of reading quality literature aloud to your child. Every day. Feed your child’s mind and imagination with a rich feast of stories and ideas. These practices undergird literacy and a love for learning for a lifetime. Introduce the habit of narration. Have your kindergartener tell back parts of the story in his or her own words. Narration helps a child to learn to focus and begin to discern the more important details.
Adding Wonder to the Three R’s
During kindergarten you want your child to learn to recognize letters and letter sounds, as well as sight words. Do this on your nature walks. For example, “Today, how many things can we find that have a B sound in them?” In small doses, worksheets also have a place for a kindergartener. Don’t forget simple devices like alphabet fridge magnets.
Writing skills for a kindergartener entail holding a pencil properly as well as forming upper and lower case letters. Let them pick words from the stories you’re reading (a favorite character’s name) to practice writing. Or use the names of objects you observed on the nature walk. The use of a blank journal in which to sketch a picture and label it works well.
The Wonder of Others: Social skills and homeschooling in kindergarten
Beyond academics, give priority to instilling virtue in your child as you live life as a family. For example, a young child can grow in verbal and physical self-control, which has lifelong benefit. Kindergarten is a time for your child to build social skills, many of which are already being honed in other environments. Provide opportunities for your child to interact with other children of all ages. Some unstructured play time is invaluable for a child’s growth and social development. Playdates, field trips, and Sunday school offer fertile ground for growing your child’s social skills. Sharing, taking turns, showing empathy, expressing gratitude, demonstrating respect, and asking for help are some of the skills a kindergartener can begin to acquire. Don’t neglect simple civilities like not talking with one’s mouth full. Like many metropolitan areas, Chicagoland offers many different resources, programs and activities that would allow your child to develop all the social skills your kindergartener will need. Wandering the Children’s Garden at the Morton Arboretum, exploring Dupage Children’s Museum or joining activities for kids at Cantigny Park are just a few of the many options available in the western suburbs of Chicago. The flexibility of homeschooling makes it easier to take advantage of such resources.
Wonder Among the Weeds
As beautiful as the garden analogy is, any gardener will remind you that there are pests and weeds to contend with. The same is true when home schooling a kindergartener. Here are a few weeds to watch for. Beware of over-programming. Remember that your child is a kindergartener; set realistic expectations for yourself and your child. Beware of comparison. Your family and your child are unique; growth differs for every individual. Be careful with technology and media; opt for real life over screen life. Embrace routine. Allow flexibility within your daily structure; but understand that elements of repetition are good for a young child. Watch the joy meter. Homeschooling should be enjoyable for both you and your child. If the joy is waning, re-assess what you are doing and adjust. Love of learning, not dread of school, is your hoped-for outcome.
Advantages of homeschooling in kindergarten: Why Bring the Wonder Home?
Homeschooling in kindergarten lets you craft an educational environment specific to your child at the pace suitable for him or her to tap into wonder. In a school setting, a child who is bored in kindergarten or a child who struggles begins to establish a perception of learning that can hinder them for years. Children who are homeschooled for kindergarten have the freedom to learn at their own rate while experiencing a normal, wonder-filled childhood. Not only does this help them to feel more confident in their learning, but they generally learn more quickly. Starting with such a foundation ultimately embeds a love for learning that will serve them over their life span. And it can start in kindergarten.
Start exploring homeschooling in kindergarten and Experience the Wonder of Your Child
There are many reasons to consider homeschooling. It will help you to know your child better, enter into his or her wonder and discover how your child learns. In turn, you will be able to adapt and personalize your child’s education. Best of all, you will spend more time with your child and form a stronger bond. Remember: this is kindergarten.
The basic academic and social skills your son or daughter needs, you mastered long ago. So if you are feeling fearful or uncertain about homeschooling your kindergartener, be encouraged. It is more doable, and wonderful, than you realize.
Keep exploring
Kindergarten Homeschool Curriculum: A Complete Guide
For a classical approach to kindergarten
Greenhouse Christian Co-School, based in the western suburbs of Chicago (Wheaton, IL), serves families all across the suburbs of Chicago. Serving grades 1 through 12 , our core program provides in-person learning one day a week and our elective classes include a variety of enrichment opportunities.
Celebrating 20 years in 2021, Greenhouse comes alongside homeschool families to provide experiential academic and social opportunities designed to build virtue. We call this “co-schooling.”