Early Childhood Homeschool Encouragement

 

I write this post as a mama of five who is imperfect, yet who has learned and gleaned a lot of wisdom over my parenting years and spanning ages of my children.  After all, I was a child once too, and I have received a bachelor's degree in early childhood education, with a masters in teaching and learning with technology if anyone is counting! (Online) ...I'm actually NOT counting that, but I did gain some wisdom from that training also. 

As a mama with young ones again, I know how important the nurturing care of home is.  A child best's friend growing up is their parents. Specifically, for nurture, care, and guidance it's their mother. I can write another post about older kids, but this post spans from birth- to about 3rd grade.  In my personal opinion, the best place for this age group is at home or in a loving, Christian environment, if your children can't be home with you.

75 percent of character and brain development, including resilience, trust, mental strength, and a spiritual foundation, happens up to age 5! Can you imagine? The Lord is correct when he says train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it.  It is true, a solid foundation, especially a Christ-centered foundation, will stick with your child through the hard ups and downs of life no matter what they face.

And mama, our society lies.  It does lie to you today. It does tell you that you are no good if you don't have a job outside the home, if you don't place your kids in someone else's care. It has become the modern American way.  You can still be a wonderful parent of course if your child goes to school, but you are gifted and blessed by the king of kings to be busy and a keeper at home. Read Titus 2. We all have so much growth, but heart wise, first off, know, God's best is for a wife and mother to be busy in the home. Its actually a biblical concept that society laughs at today.  A strong woman who knows the scriptures laughs back (albeit silently most likely) and has peace in her haven. She is constantly busy cleaning, doing dishes, laundry, teaching, reading the Bible or devos, correcting little hearts, wiping tears, giving hugs and kisses, shopping, cooking food, planning meals, scheduling appts, taking kids to and from activities, and is a constant in the routines of life. And mother, if you want to educate your little ones at home; you can joyfully. You are not less than. You are not lazy. You are actually beautiful, leaning on the Bible, and filled with strength to shape your home and hearts for the Lord. Times will get messy, so does life. Times will get hard, but life is just hard. The grass is not greener. I promise you. I have learned my best place is home. The best place for a little youngin is home period with their mother. No other adult will love them the way you do, care for them how you do, pour into them like you do. After all, you gave birth to them and the responsibility for how they are raised was entrusted by God to you. Not to anyone else---to you. 

Now, for preschool to first grade ages, two to three hours of solid instruction a day is all you need. Three hours from older kindergarteners up. About two for preschool.  (2nd and third grade is about 4 sometimes 5 hrs daily.) This consists of Bible, phonics study, reading, writing, and arithmetic. You should have a solid routine and curriculums picked out.  You should read aloud to your child every day and let them have fun playing outside most days if possible, or going on nature walks or to the park.

Some days instruction might be less, but they will build a solid foundation.

Here are some tips, as I will then share my K4 year for my little one with you.

Ebay--- Ebay! Type in vintage children's picture books. Buy a lot for under 30 dollars. You will have wholesome, rare literature or even workbooks for certain grade levels.

Amazon. School supplies and organization can be very affordable.

Morning Time- playing instrumental music while children paint and color. This starts our days off great. Milestone books sells coloring books with a scriptural emphasis and family emphasis- all biblical. 

Bible- Abeka, Rod and Staff, Beginners Bible episodes YouTube, Childrens Bible, and a great church or Sunday school or services :) 

Rod and Staff Math Workbook- best foundation for kindergarten up-- plus your own math curriculum or other workbooks

https://www.milestonebooks.com/item/1-131213/?ref=gpa&gclid=Cj0KCQjwoK2mBhDzARIsADGbjerNhv9PMToY_83KMvz7GxNgW8H0GZODlXpmN6SlhyxKEtHllfLMQewaAr1ZEALw_wcB

Abeka Academy- prek4-12th grade video school all subjects pre recorded! Major help. We are doing this for Bible, Phonics, and Numbers k4 with some vintage picture books about science and social studies facts along with D'Nealian Handwriting.

Our cute handwriting workbook... 

https://dashintolearning.com/products/dash-into-handwriting-dnealian

Ebay vintage picture books about science topics. For older grades Rod and Staff textbooks for reading in Science and Social Studies are great. You can incorporate note booking with these read alouds with a spiral notebook of notes and sketches based off material for the year.

Language Arts/ Phonics —- Abeka workbooks by grade, Charlotte Mason style workbooks, and copy work / editing sentences and paragraphs. Parts of speech card games and reading, reading, reading. 

We also plan on nature walks and playing outdoors, fun crafts, and lots of read alouds. Abeka Academy will be our spine for Bible, Phonics, and Math with the learning videos daily. 

I hope this helps your K4 or early childhood homeschool quest...

Milestonebooks.com sells Rod and Staff materials and wholesome literature and readers.