On a recent visit to a historical home, I was surprised to hear how many ways preschool aged children were helpful around the home. As we walked through main areas of the home and land, our guide made the comment, “and that was children’s work” more than a dozen time.
In the 1800’s the life a preschool aged child was spent in a mixture of chores and play. Young children were taught how to gather firewood, carry water, tend a Gard, collect eggs, and feed the animals just to name a few. Though these chores were essential for daily life without conveniences, they were also a way of teaching skills and responsibility. When finished with chores, preschool aged children were set free to play games outside when weather permitted.
The Truth About Preschoolers
What a difference to our modern culture that tells us that the earlier our children begin formal academics the better, that children won’t learn unless they are led to learn, and that mom’s need “expert” help to know what to do with their preschooler.
But, the truth that they recognized in the 1800 and still holds true today, is that children are voracious learners. They naturally, when given the opportunity, seek to experience new things, explore, and go. It is also true that children learn best in the home environment with their mom or other loving relative in a safe, warm atmosphere. And of equal importance, when it come to formal academics, later is better than early.
Setting Them Up for Future Success
As homeschool families we can embrace the truth about our preschoolers. We can offer them the best of what the preschool years are designed for, that is giving them a safe, warm environment in which they learn how to work through age appropriate chores. We can provide a space to safely explore and make sense of the world around them, and opportunities to serve others.
Dr. Raymond Moore, in The Successful Homeschool Family Handbook says this, “The best early “academics” are your responses to your children – giving yourself to them in warm fellowship, conversation, travel; reading and telling stories with moral values; working at home chores and cottage industries together; teaching them by example how to serve others (in the home and down the street); being alert to their highest motives and interests; and encouraging them to develop their own creative ideas in the sand pile, with kitchen dough, with a telescope, in a diary, and with tools in the garage or garden.”
A Preschool Day
So rather then spending money on the latest and greatest preschool curriculum or printing the 1,001 worksheets from that free website, spend your days going to the library, teaching your preschooler how to dust the furniture, put away dishes, and pick up after themselves. Teach them how to make lunch and clean up after lunch is finished. Then, read them several good picture books you check out from the library while they sit next to you on the couch. These are the “formal”academics that best suite their development. And, when you finish those things, give them lots of time for unstructured play.
By focusing on creating a bond with your preschooler, teaching them to work with you, and serving others, you will foster a love of learning that will far exceed the formal curriculum or worksheets you can find.
For more on homeschooling during the preschool years check out Episode 213 of the Homeschool Made Simple Podcast.
