So, you’re interested in homeschooling your five-year-old? Here are a few ideas to consider.
Homeschooling is not about choosing a curriculum. Homeschooling is about paying attention to your individual child and noticing what they need now while also anticipating what they will need in the future. Listen to the questions your child asks and allow that to be your guide.
Consider not signing up for too many things outside of the house. Keep your schedule simple. You might even benefit from one day fully at home with no deadlines and no outings.
Find a friend or fellow homeschooler that can help you swap babysitting so you don’t have to take all your children to the store or doctor with you.
Plan to do something creative for yourself every day during your children’s quiet time.
Have reasonable expectations of yourself. Decide ahead of time what will help you consider your first year of homeschooling a success. How will you remind yourself of the good you are doing?
No need to spend money.
No need to spend more than an hour each day on “academics.”
Spend time with other families that are educating at home so that you can receive regular doeses encouragement.
Reading–After using a General Reading Instruction Program, we would spend daily time reading aloud. The librarian can help you find books. Or, there are lots of ideas online under “early reading texts.” You can also browse the “Homeschool-in-a-box” curriculum packages for ideas of books to read. I don’t usually buy them, I just review what they offer and find it at the library.
Spelling–Explode the Code is my favorite curriculum. But, I also like the simplicity of teaching word families–not using a program at all, just printing off a pdf of words like this one.
https://resources.finalsite.net/images/v1658244984/isd47org/szigpzaumyz3rls8bb1p/WordFamilies.pdf
I invite my children to illustrate little stories while using the words.
I also like playing rhyming games. Here’s our favorite
Handwriting Handwriting Without Tears–I loved these materials! We found so much success with their handwriting package. Everything I’ve bought from them has been worth it. https://www.lwtears.com/solutions/writing/handwriting-without-tears
Math–Learning skip counting through songs. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9c2q3g9gqj8&list=PLTdqpG-LvsciI3gB9G53jil8I8wfHZnat
We use Math Mammoth (pdf Download of all the elementary math years–goes on sale twice a year in August and January) but don’t start till 1st grade
https://www.mathmammoth.com/complete-curriculum
There are lots of good curriculum options, but I prefer to stay involved, keep it practical, and include my child in as much daily math as possible. One fun game that a kindergartner could enjoy is King Dominos.
Writing–Many families like Julie Bogart’s Brave Writer program. You can use her ideas by reading her books, no need to buy into the monthly subscription. https://bravewriter.com/brave-learner-home She has ideas to make writing a natural part of daily life.
As I began homeschooling, the two educational methods that resonated the most with me were Montessori and Waldorf. Perhaps you will like their perspective, too. Overall, those methods have helped me become the homeschooler I am by valuing free play, prioritizing outside time, keeping the young years technology free, and reading lots of good books.
Though not specifically about homeschooling, I think these are great books about parenting this age:
- It’s OK Not to Share and Other Renegade Rules for Raising Competent and Compassionate Kids by Heather Shumaker
- Why Is My Child in Charge? by Claire Lerner
You can totally do this! I hope you will feel confident in your ability to teach based on your loyalty to your child and your willingness to customize the environment just for him.