New to homeschooling? Trust us – it needn’t be complicated! Today we’re sharing our BEST tips and resources for parents teaching their 2-7 year-olds at home. If you’ve ever caught yourself doubting whether or not you have what it takes to homeschool your young kids, this post is for you…
1. Learn the #1 mantra.
Repeat after us: Your home is not a school. Your home is not a school. Your home is not a school. Homeschooling, no matter how you slice it, is going to look different than the more mainstream methods of education. Rather than struggling to recreate the typical classroom experience, make the most of the benefits you have under your own roof! Take brownie breaks, try a read-aloud in the hammock, or ditch math for a board game (Operation is the OG STEAM skill booster, after all).
2. Rhythm > routine.
Guess what? You no longer need to be dressed and ready by 7am sharp with backpacks lined up at the door! That’s a HUGE bonus! Use it to your advantage. Resist the urge to schedule your day racing against a nonexistent school bell.
Instead, aim for rhythm: seamless, flexible transitions designed around the natural flow of your daily life as a family. (Want to hear 3 real life examples? Watch this video of our founder’s favorites!)
3. Habit stack.
Want to know how to “fit it all in”? It’s as simple as habit stacking, i.e. stacking a new habit right onto an old one you’ve already got in place. Think: minor course corrections, not massive schedule shifts. Here are a few starters!:
Old habit: Eat breakfast.
New habit: Read aloud while eating breakfast.
Old habit: Listen to a storytime podcast.
New habit: Set up watercolors while listening to a storytime podcast.
Old habit: Bathtime.
New habit: Memorize a poem during bathtime.
With just a few tweaks to the things you’re already doing alongside your kids, you can sprinkle in enriching, teachable moments all throughout the day. It all adds up! Every bit counts.
4. Homeschool yourself.
Chances are, if you’ve never homeschooled before, you’re going to feel mighty inadequate by day three. (Press on – it gets SO MUCH better!) Ready for a surefire way to maintain progress and infuse fresh ideas into your days as a homeschooling family? Homeschool yourself, too.
Remember: our program includes a built-in weekly parenting prompt to try alongside your kid! Not a member? Click here for our favorite books to kick-start your own self-education and keep you motivated the whole way through.
5. Rally your village.
Hear us loud and clear: you are not the sole person responsible for your child’s education. One of the most impactful resources you can offer your children might just be a mile or two away.
Have an uncle who fishes? An aunt who bakes? A best friend who speaks Spanish? A neighbor who drums? Invite them over to show your kids a thing or two. (Still social distancing? Zoom or FaceTime gets the job done in a jiff!)
6. Keep it simple.
Our lessons are designed to take 20 minutes or less, and are powerful in their simplicity. When it comes to kids ages 2-7, their attention spans are far better spent in deep play and discovery than pencil grips and worksheets.
While you’re at it, you can ditch those supply lists designed to overflow your playroom with rogue pom poms and flashcards. Truly: all you need to homeschool kids under 7 is 20 minutes , love, and a library card. Add the basics – paper, crayons, scissors, glue. You’re all set.
7. It all counts.
As your child’s primary teacher, you can freely consider everything (and anything!) as a valuable learning opportunity.
Need to take the afternoon to complete a deadline? You’re teaching them the importance of commitment and work ethic. Need to take 20 deep breaths in the bathroom? You’re teaching them the value of boundaries and emotional management.
It all counts, every last moment. Rest easy knowing you don’t have to be your kid’s cruise director; they’re already learning exactly what they need just by living life alongside of you.
p.s. Want more tips and resources for homeschooling throughout the early years? Take our free online workshop here!