My youngest child just misses the cutoff date for kindergarten by three weeks. Despite her eagerness to start school, she has another year of preschool ahead. Given the necessary COVID precautions and my work-from-home schedule, I chose to homeschool her this year. This approach not only saves us money and time but also allows us to enjoy the benefits of personalized learning.
I’ve had some experience with homeschooling; three of my four children have been homeschooled at different stages. Each child is unique, and we adapted our approach according to their needs each semester. I’m excited to embark on this homeschooling journey with my newly five-year-old. To ensure I’m on the right track, I reached out to a kindergarten teacher for advice on meeting my daughter’s preschool skill requirements.
One evening, I sent a detailed message to the teacher explaining our situation. While I felt confident in my decision to homeschool, I was seeking some reassurance. After all, preschool is often seen as a societal norm. I knew my child would thrive in a homeschooling environment, especially when it comes to socialization, given that she has three older siblings and a wide circle of friends.
In my message, I outlined my plans for the year, focusing on essential skills. I recalled from my older children that fine motor skills are crucial for kindergarten, so we’ve been practicing cutting, gluing, writing letters and numbers, and tracing shapes. She has also been working on age-appropriate jigsaw puzzles.
From past experience, I understood that gross motor skills play a significant role in developing fine motor skills, so we’ve been engaged in plenty of outdoor play. Activities like climbing help strengthen her hands, preparing her for fine motor tasks.
We’ve also been reviewing the days of the week, months of the year, seasons, the alphabet, and counting to twenty. I find joy in her imaginative number creations like “leventeen.” Our days involve games and creative activities, like painting. If you think homeschooling a preschooler sounds delightful, it truly is — it’s all about purposeful play.
After sending my message, the teacher’s prompt response amazed me. Teachers really are incredible, always advocating for children, even those who aren’t in their classrooms. Her advice surprised me: “Just enjoy her. I’ll teach her what she needs when she arrives.”
Just enjoy her? I admit I was looking for more specific guidance — perhaps a workbook recommendation or a checklist of skills she should master by next fall. Yet, the teacher shared exactly what I needed to hear.
In today’s world, where there’s immense pressure to ensure every moment of our children’s lives is “educational,” it’s easy to get caught up in the fear of them falling behind, especially after the disruptions caused by the pandemic. We often overemphasize grades, awards, and attendance, which can jeopardize our kids’ mental well-being. Children need the freedom to just be kids. Unless there’s a genuine need to focus on specific skills, particularly for children with special needs, it’s essential to relax a bit.
We don’t have to fill our kids’ schedules with adult-led activities. While classes in ballet, basketball, or STEM can be enjoyable and educational, why do our children always have to be in a constant state of learning and competition?
Kindergarten is fundamentally a preparation for first grade. If I inundate my child with all these skills now, will kindergarten become tedious for her? Moreover, why should I take away from her final year of preschool? Kindergarten serves a purpose, and perhaps it’s time to let that unfold naturally.
I’ve never been a hyper-academic parent. I didn’t rely on flashcards or fret over teaching my kids their colors and shapes. In reality, kindergarten primarily levels the playing field for children. I might have strayed from this perspective, fueled by a slight panic that my youngest, my baby, is approaching school age.
I appreciate teaching through play and will continue to do so. The teacher’s words allowed me to ease my homeschooling approach. If one day consists solely of jumping rope and sharing snacks, that’s perfectly fine. Some days will be more “educational” than others, and that’s acceptable.
I cherish the moments spent with my youngest and am grateful for the teacher who reminded me of what truly matters — or rather, who matters most.
For more insights on parenting and education, check out these resources, this guide, and CCRM IVF’s blog for a wealth of information.
Summary
This insightful article discusses the experience of a parent preparing her preschooler for kindergarten through homeschooling. The author shares her journey of seeking guidance from a kindergarten teacher, who emphasizes the importance of enjoying the learning process rather than focusing solely on academic achievements. The piece highlights the need for children to experience childhood without undue pressure to excel, advocating for a balanced approach to education.
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