Preschool 101 By Kendra Fletcher

One of the beautiful things about homeschooling preschoolers in this decade is that so many have gone before us. You may even be one of those homeschoolers who has been at it for a long while and is now looking for fresh ideas and a renewed passion. Within the framework of homeschooling, each of us is given a unique job to do. We have different children, different personalities, and different circumstances. Some of us have to figure out how to juggle many responsibilities simultaneously; others are trying to fill the hours while Daddy is gone for days at a time; still others have no idea where to begin as home educators. Were literally all over the map! Ill let you in on a little secret that has been a lifesaver for many a homeschooler: Prayer works every time in every circumstance. If this is the beginning of your homeschooling journey, lay aside the things that worry you most and commit them to prayer. If you are a mom on the verge of homeschool burnout, commit your fatigue and struggles to prayer. And love those little people! They do grow up so fast, you know. Kendra Fletcher is the homeschooling mother of eight, aged 17 down to 2. She has never known what it means to homeschool without the presence of preschoolers and loves to encourage other moms who are beginning their homeschool journeys with little ones underfoot. Her website and blog can be found at www.PreschoolersandPeace.com. A Heart for Homeschooling From the Womb By Lindy Abbott It is amazing how becoming a mom altered the way I observed everything in life. I remember walking into my kindergarten classroom with a new perspective; I was a teacher, I was pregnant, and my viewpoint of life would never be the same. I wondered, How could a parent send her precious little one to school in a vacuum, a make-believe world where supposedly God didnt exist? I walked across the floor passing all the well-planned learning centers, which seemed to matter little to the inner-city students I taught, and I touched the Bible on the corner of my teachers desk. Having a Bible on my desk was my own little revolution against the public schools policies, which tried to prevent all mention of God. I opened my Bible and read a few verses aloud, knowing His Word was living and would not return void. From that day forward, I saw life through the eyes of a mother, wanting Gods best for the little child within my womb. As a Christian mother, I now contemplated the deception woven throughout the curriculum and assembly events of an average school day. As the heart of a parent who wanted only Gods best for her child was growing within me, I knew I had to seek out other options to educate my child. I sheepishly began asking questions of homeschool moms in my church, and I was

lovingly embraced by moms who eagerly wanted to give me as much information and encouragement as possible. The more I read the more I fell in love with the thought of being able to train up my child to know God and to learn all subjects from a Gods worldview perspective. If you are pregnant with your first child, be encouraged with the knowledge that many mothers have walked before you on this path, and they are very happy to help you along the way. Homeschooling is birthed out of a desire to take seriously the God-given responsibility to train up a child according to His will. God often chooses the most unlikely parents (in the eyes of the world) to do this special kingdom work. If God calls you to homeschool, He will enable you. Lindy is a veteran homeschool mom of twelve years. She has a bachelors degree in education, experience as a classroom teacher, and a passion for writing. Her work has been published in newspapers, blogs, websites, and magazines. You can find her truth-telling posts about daily life and current events at her new website, www.writinginsideout.com.

A Cheerful House With Preschoolers By Kathy Heiden

When I had three preschoolers, I would have lost my sanity if I had not developed a system of organizing our day. I knew they could not sustain any activity for more than 1020 minutes, so I began to divide the day into 20-minute intervals, each with a new activity assigned to it. We had breakfast, we had Bible time, we had song time, and we had reading by Mom time. Everything was done with singing and giggles, and I could be heard throughout the day saying (and hearing them echo), Oh, boy, its time for ___________! Those were such happy days; I was sad to leave them behind. Some ideas for activities that we used included these: outdoor time, in your room alone time, bean bag time, make a snack time, cleanup time (several times a day), play-dough time, craft time (very, very simple), color or draw time (very, very simple), balloon time, nap time (of course), puppet time, free play, Lego/Duplo blocks time, video time, and game time. The list could go on and on, but most of all I interacted with my preschoolers, and we felt like we had things to share with Daddy when he got home from work. Kathy makes her home in Corona, California, where she enjoys reading and teaching composition to homeschooled students. She and her husband Mike homeschooled their three grown children from kindergarten through grade 12 and are active in their church AWANA program.

Should I Send My Preschooler to School? By Cara Boerrigter

Schooling for our second child started with a preschool adventure that lasted exactly five days. This usually compliant, quiet little girl screamed so loud at a little boy her first day that she scared him to tears. The third day she kicked the teacher. On the fifth day, my neighbor with whom we were carpooling arrived at school to find my daughter in the directors office in hysterics. When God calls a family to homeschool, sometimes its very loud and painfully clear.

Whether or not your child attends a preschool or kindergarten is a decision that should be taken before the Lord. In Psalm 127:3, the Bible tells us that children are a reward and a heritage. Do you, as a Christian, really believe this? Do you act on this verse in the choices you make in raising your children? In Proverbs 22:6 believers are admonished to train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. Ask God to show you what His training looks like for your children. The window that God gives us to train our children in His ways is small. We spend less than 25% of our lives as parents of young children! Couple that with statistics from a 2004 Barna Research Group study which indicated that nearly half of all Americans who accept Jesus Christ as their savior do so before reaching the age of 13,1 and we must conclude that the choices we make regarding our childrens education hold imperative significance in the Kingdom of God! If you are telling yourself you just cant do it, you just cant homeschool, or you just cant homeschool another child, Id like to encourage you that God designed you to be the parent for each of your children! He makes no mistakes! He is your strength and shield (Psalm 28:7), your ever-present help (Psalm 46:1), and your comforter (John 14:26). When I was working as an Early Childhood Developmental Specialist, often parents would ask me how they could teach their children. The answer is amazingly simple: read to your children, play with them, listen to them, draw and color with them, sing with them, hug them, comfort them, and show them how to care for themselves. To that, as a Christian, I would add these suggestions: show them, first and foremost, your love for our Savior Jesus Christ; read Scripture to them daily; let them see you reading the Bible; pray with them; and let them see you pray. In Deuteronomy 6, God commands us: Love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children . . . . Cara is wife to Dean, a military man, and a homeschooling mother of five, aged 1 to 9. They are currently stationed in Hampton Roads, Virginia. Before her homemaking duties began, she earned a masters degree in special education and worked as a Developmental Specialist/Preschool Teacher with children aged birth to 5. Endnote: 1. Barna Group (October 11, 2004). Evangelism Is Most Effective Among Kids. Accessed on October 15, 2010, at http://www.barna.org/barna-update/article/5barna-update/196-evangelism-is-most-effective-among-kids.

Homeschooling Preschoolers: The Natural Option By Kelly Crawford

I vividly remember the excitement, the fear, and the anxious questions of my heart the day we made the decision to homeschool. Im thankful that our decision was not trial-basis only, because I probably would have given up otherwise. If Ive learned anything in the last nine years about what it means to home educate, its that there

are many ways to do it. My first piece of advice to homeschooling moms of preschoolers: Relax! If you are thinking, Easy for you to say, allow me to convince you with five practical reasons why your preschooler will thrive in a more relaxed, educational environment that will better prepare him for learning. 1. Children Learn by Playing One of the greatest pressures moms of little ones feel is the push to educate children at younger ages. Everywhere we look there are preschool academies, Head Start programs, and subtle nuances that convince us our children will be left behind if they arent enrolled in the best program. We clamor to duplicate this model, despite the endless studies that reveal the importance of free, imaginative childhood play and the actual harm that can come from the lack thereof. Studies reveal that while there may be a marked increase in test scores during the first few years of academic preschool, by the time those same students are in fifth grade, differences between the scores of preschooled and non-preschooled children are indistinguishable. However, there are marked psychological disadvantages for the children who were subjected to longer hours of academic instruction as opposed to a natural home setting during their early years. 2. Curiosity Is a Built-In Classroom We take for granted the incredible gift of curiosity that God has given to humans; this curiosity motivates us to learn the things we need to learn. Often we exert unnecessary effort teaching information that will be acquired naturally. I remember picking up a preschool textbook and flipping through it. There were beautiful worksheets about up and down, opposites, front and back, and so on. All my children learned these concepts without a textbook. In fact, I never consciously taught them any of it. The same goes for counting, colors, telling time, etc. A mother with a minimal awareness of teaching her children will teach these things quite naturally in the course of a day simply by being with her child. No formal instruction is necessary! 3. ReadingThe Best Preschool If I were going to offer a mom with young children one piece of advice regarding the education of her preschoolers, I would suggest she simply read to them. I would also suggest she read aloud from her own books (great literature and especially the Bible) for them to hear, even though they are above the childs level of comprehension. Hearing language and the way words are put together is a foundational preparation for further studies. 4. Think Outside the Classroom Most of us envision education through the only lens our experience allows: a classroom. But most parents fail to realize that the structure of a classroom is not the optimal setting for learning; its simply a necessary structure for accommodating a large number of students. When we realized that homeschooling afforded us opportunities that a traditional classroom setting simply cant duplicate, it radically

changed the way our homeschooling looked. For preschoolers, this involves the freedom to romp outside and learn from the giant classroom of creation, to converse freely with parents and siblings, to learn in the security of home without the negative influences of peers (and the emotional strain that often accompanies that), and to simply live life alongside family, learning the most important lessons of all. 5. Rethink Education Another misconception that has been promoted by public education is the establishment of high test scores as the highest goal for education. While test scores can be helpful in assessing progress, they should not be the main goal of education. As Christians, we should look to Gods Word as we formulate goals for our children instead of merely teaching them what the state says they should be learning. Our family has established the following educational goals: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Teach Teach Teach Teach Teach Teach Teach Teach them them them them them them them them the fear of the Lord as the foundation of knowledge. to be self-learners. how to think. how to communicate effectively. to love to read. to be productive. to understand math. to love the arts.

Attentiveness, obedience, diligence, self-controlthese traits are sorely lacking in many students. All of these are qualities are best taught in a relaxed, natural setting with an attentive parent. As we look to the Lord for direction, understanding our responsibility to educate our children in a way that honors Him, we can lay aside our fears and others expectations and trust in the divine wisdom He has given us as parents to nurture our preschoolers, preparing them for a rich and full learning experience. May you trust in His power and know that faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it. (I Thessalonians 5:24) Kelly and her husband, Aaron, enjoy a simple though busy life in the country with their eight children (and another on the way!). Kelly does occasional freelance writing and shares her passion for encouraging other women at www.GenerationCedar.com. But mostly she spends her days doing Kingdom work hugging babies, washing dishes, and striving to put shoe leather on the gospel amid the busyness of home life.

Scripture Memory With Preschoolers By Stacy Rensink

But as for you, continue in what you have learned and become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. (2 Timothy 3:1415, NIV)

There is nothing I want more for my own children than for them to have a sincere, vibrant faith in Jesus Christ. God has entrusted five tender young souls to my husband and me, and we take that responsibility very seriously. I want to be like the Biblical Eunice, pouring truth into my children from infancy! Here are some ways I have learned to help our preschoolers hide Gods Word in their hearts: Start simple. Choose verses that your child will identify with. Focus on the words; theres no need for them to learn the reference just yet. Here are a couple of examples: Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord. (Colossians. 3:20) O give thanks unto the LORD; for He is good. (Psalm 118:1) Start young. When your child begins to say words, he can begin to memorize Scripture. My 2-year-old recently memorized Genesis 1:1: In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. Every time she says it, my 1-year-old also chimes in. It sounds more like this: Ginnin. . . van . . . earf, but the important thing is that she is participating and is mighty enthusiastic while doing it! Say it often. Repetition is important for all memorization. Set aside a certain time each day to practice your verse(s). Make it fun. Preschoolers are busy, and they want to be moving most of the time. Practice their verses where there is space for them to move around, and try to incorporate as many actions as possible. For verses that use words such as shout, clap, or dancedo it! Get creative with the way you say it. Try saying the verse reaaalllyyy slllooowwwly. Then say it really fast. Or really sleepily. Or something equally silly. Your kids will love this. Use it! It is important to learn verses not merely for the sake of piling up knowledge in the minds of our children but to instill wisdom and understanding in their spirits. Use the Scripture you have learned in the context of daily life with your preschoolers. Sometimes you can refer to the whole verse, but other times you can simply apply the instruction and concept of that particular verse in a particular situation. Pray. Pray with your children and for them, that God would give them understanding of His Word, and that the Scripture they learn would take root in their hearts and minds so that they will be equipped to live obedient, fruitful lives. We have the privilege of introducing our preschoolers to Gods Word, and as they grow up, my prayer is that they will heed and apply what they learned when they were children. May the Scripture we teach them now prove to be a foundation for the rest of their lives. Stacy Rensink is the proud wife of her wonderful husband Mark. They are the blessed homeschooling parents of five amazing children. Stacy is passionate about adoption, good books, cooking, sewing, and finding creative ways to teach her childrenespecially when it comes to teaching them about Jesus! You can visit Stacy at her blog: WithGreatJoy.blogspot.com.

A Preschool Toolbox By Dana Hanley

I dont know about you, but my preschool-aged children are always under foot. Sometimes it can seem impossible to get anything done with such busy hands continually in the way. But this is exactly where God has placed my children: not in the way, but along the way, where they can learn by watching and imitating and exploring the world around them.1 It can be tempting to find activities to entertain preschoolers while working with older children. Unfortunately, this also limits the preschoolers opportunities to learn both the cognitive skills being practiced during lessons and the social and behavioral expectations set for this time. I have learned that their demands for my attention are most easily managed when I invite them to participate as much as possible. That means fewer distractions for my older children, more constructive educational opportunities for my younger ones, and a more family-oriented learning experience. My 2-year-olds desire to be a part of our day is what first prompted me to assemble a Preschool Toolbox. Its a portable box full of educational tools suitable for use by young children, so that I always have something ready to offer to my smaller children during lesson time. Assembling a Preschool Toolbox When assembling your own toolbox, there are three important things to remember: 1. Dont be afraid to give them materials that seem beyond their grasp. Exploring materials is how preschoolers learn. 2. For a young child, exploration frequently includes sticking items in his or her nose, ears, or mouth. Be careful what you place within your preschoolers reach if you are going to be distracted by working with other children at the same time. 3. Every child is different. Think about your child as you put together your boxnot what is working for your family or another family you know. Each of my children has a milk-crate-style hanging file folder box in which to store materials. Books, supplies, notebooks, and folders all fit neatly within it, and it provides enough extra space to quickly shove in unfinished work and projects so that those projects do not clutter up our table like they used to. We have chosen the same style box for the preschoolers supplies. What we include: 1. Binders, folders, and notebooks similar to what their older siblings are using. Their folders are a mess, their lapbooks consist mostly of scribbled-on coloring sheets glued haphazardly to file folders with a few dictated notes, and the papers in their binders are falling apart from overuse, but they are proud of their work. 2. Materials similar to what their older siblings are using. Our math program is based

on use of an abacus, so each of the younger children has one as well. 3. Crayons, markers, colored pencils, watercolors, scissors, glue, and modeling clay. 4. Objects to count, sort, stack, and organize. I store these in baggies in a closet and rotate them. 5. A clean egg carton with the lid removed. Encourage children to sort objects by size, shape, or color. Egg cartons also can be cut into individual cups as stacking tools. 6. One or two high-interest picture books and dolls or other appropriate, related toys. 7. Magazines and newspapers to cut up and draw on. These also provide samples of letters and pictures. 8. A photo album with pictures of family, favorite places, and your childs daily routine. 9. A plastic or paper baggie for those special treasures collected on walks. 10. Homemade, theme-related coloring books. The Internet is an amazing resource, and hundreds of websites offer free coloring sheets. 11. A whiteboard, chalkboard, and clipboard. 12. A hornbook. During a unit on colonial America, we made hornbooks out of plastic cutting boards, printed sheets I made on the computer, and clear contact paper. Our hornbooks display letters, numbers, and a Bible verse on the front, with colors and shapes displayed on the back. As my children grow, it continually surprises me how much they have learned even during times when I thought they were absorbed in their own play. The more we draw them alongside us in our daily routines, the more opportunities they have to learn. Dana Hanley taught pre-K and first grade for two years before being called to Nebraska to work with abused and neglected children through a Christian foster care agency. She feels her real education and lifes work began with the decision to stay home and educate her own children. She and her husband John currently have six children, only two of which are school-aged, and they live, learn, and work together on a five-acre plot of land in rural Nebraska. You can share some of their adventures on her blog, Roscommon Acres, RoscommonAcres.com. Endnote: 1. Humans Appear Hardwired to Learn by Over-Imitation. ScienceDaily, December 6, 2007, http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071205102433.htm, accessed October 27, 2010. Copyright, 2011. Used with permission. All rights reserved by author. Originally appeared in The Old Schoolhouse Magazine, Winter 2010-11.

Visit The Old Schoolhouse at www.TheHomeschoolMagazine.com to view a fulllength sample copy of the print magazine especially for homeschoolers. Click the graphic of the moving computer monitor on the left. Email the Publisher at Publisher@TheHomeschoolMagazine.com.