How to Preschool at Home

Preschool is an exciting time for young children — it’s a period when they can adjust to structured learning and create habits that will help them throughout their education. Because it’s such an important time of transition, many parents choose to preschool at home. This provides parents with the flexibility to adapt a schedule, structure, and homeschool curriculum to suit their child’s unique ability level and preferred learning style. On top of that, it’s a fun way to bond with your child and play an active role in their development.

At All About Learning Press, we create products and resources that make homeschooling easy, fun, and effective. We’ve helped parents across the country make the most of their homeschooling experience, and this guide will give you everything you need to get started preschooling at home.

Understanding Preschool at Home

What Is At-Home Preschooling?

At-home preschooling is simply the act of teaching your preschool-aged child (typically three to five years old) in your own home instead of sending them to a traditional preschool. This approach allows you to tailor learning to your child’s pace, interests, and developmental stage.

Benefits of Homeschooling Preschoolers

• Flexibility: Not every child learns the same, and homeschooling lets you adapt the schedule and pace as needed.
• Customized Curriculum: Choosing your own homeschool preschool curriculum means you can focus on your child’s unique learning style and interests.
• One-on-One Attention: Being able to give your child extra attention and personalize their learning can lead to better outcomes.
• Stronger Bonding: Homeschooling allows parents and children to spend more time together, building closer relationships.
• Cost-effective: Preschooling at home is often more affordable than traditional schooling.

How to Get Started with Preschool at Home

Assessing Readiness

Preschooling usually begins between the ages of three and five, which means you have some flexibility around when to start. To make sure you start at the best time, you should look for signs that your child is ready for preschool-level learning activities, such as increased attention span, the ability to follow simple directions, and emerging social and motor skills. Every child develops differently, and there’s no need to rush. Our Pre-reading Readiness Checklist is a great place to start!

Setting Goals

Set realistic learning goals when it comes to your preschooling plan. Clear goals help guide your daily and weekly plans while keeping things age-appropriate. Focus on skills such as:

• Pre-math and pre-literacy skills
• Fine and gross motor skills
• Social-emotional development
• Art, music, and play-based learning
• Creativity and curiosity

Creating a Learning Environment

You don’t need a separate classroom in order to preschool at home. Your preschooling space can be relatively small, but it should be well-organized and equipped with:

• A child-sized table and chair
• Shelving for books and homeschool preschool supplies
• Clear bins for toys and learning materials
• A quiet, clutter-free zone for focused activities

What Curriculum Options Do I Have for Homeschool Preschooling?

Structured Curriculum Programs

A great place to start when building your homeschool preschool curriculum is structured programs like those created by All About Learning Press, Timberdoodle, Horizons, and other education companies. These programs provide a convenient, easy way to make sure you cover the most important subjects in your curriculum effectively. Many of them also come with a variety of materials to make the experience more engaging and enjoyable.

Games and Learning Activities

Play is a powerful tool to incorporate in education — in fact, it’s how we learn many of the skills that help us throughout our lives. Make sure to incorporate fun, educational games and preschool activities to encourage learning through exploration, nature, and imaginative play. This is also a great way to keep your child engaged and help them develop a love of learning.

Theme-Based Units

You can add some variety to your homeschool curriculum by focusing on weekly or monthly themes, like animals, seasons, space, or transportation. These topics can be explored through books, crafts, and hands-on activities, and they can help you and your child discover what topics interest her.

What Preschool Educational Activities and Resources Can I Use?

When preschooling at home, there is a wide range of activities you can enjoy with your child to add variety to your routine. Make sure to try as many as possible in order to see what works best for your student.

• Arts and crafts: Great for developing motor skills, creativity, and self-expression
• Story time: Build vocabulary, comprehension, and imagination
• Puzzles and games: Develop problem-solving and patience while having fun
• Nature walks: Explore science and the outdoors through hands-on experience
• Songs and rhymes: Boost memory and language skills

Are There Free Preschool Activity Sheets I Can Use?

Yes! Many websites offer free printable worksheets that can supplement your curriculum or provide quick, focused practice. Here are a few of our favorites:

• Free Preschool Resources, Tips, Activities, and More From AALP
• Education.com
• Free printables by Teachers Pay Teachers
• PBS Kids
• 123 Homeschool 4 Me

AALP also has an amazing collection of articles and resources for you to take advantage of. Here are some great articles to get you started:

• I’m Thinking About Homeschooling, but …
• What I Wish I Knew Before Homeschooling
• Great Picture Book Reviews
• Check out the full homeschooling archive

Which Programs Will Provide the Best Preschool Education for My Child?

Everyone learns differently, and the best program for each student will depend on their ability level, interests, and personality. Therefore, we recommend programs that offer a range of levels so that you can start with the right one for your child.

At All About Learning Press, all of our programs are broken up into clear, sequential levels that help children develop a solid foundation and build upon previous knowledge. All About Reading, All About Spelling, and All About Math are designed around trusted, proven teaching methods and include a variety of activities and accessories that make learning easy, effective, and fun. We also offer convenient online placement tests to help you know where to get started.

Does Preschool Cost Money?

At-home preschooling can range from free (using online resources and libraries) to a few hundred dollars per year, depending on:

• Whether you purchase a formal curriculum
• Which supplies and activities you choose
• If you opt for co-ops or enrichment classes

What Are the Most Important Homeschool Preschool Supplies?

If you’re new to homeschooling, it’s best to start simple. You can always build your supply cabinet over time. Some good essentials to start with include:

• Crayons, markers, glue, and child-safe scissors
• Construction paper, notebooks, and activity books
• Manipulatives (hands-on tools like counting bears, blocks, and beads)
• Flashcards and puzzles
• Books

Our Tips for a Successful At-Home Preschool Experience

Homeschooling for the first time can be intimidating, but we’ve helped parents across the country make the most out of this wonderful experience. By focusing on a few basic principles, you can avoid stress and allow your homeschooling style to evolve organically.

1. Organization

Staying organized is one of the most important ways to increase effectiveness, especially for new homeschooling parents. Create a weekly schedule with flexible routines to help you and your child stay on track. Use bins or folders to keep materials sorted and ready to go, and keep your homeschooling space free of clutter to make it easier to focus.

2. Flexibility

Don’t stress if plans change or if a certain subject requires more time. Follow your child’s lead and remember that learning often happens in everyday moments. Trying to force things can lead to frustration and might hinder progress and enjoyment.

3. Support

Join homeschooling communities online or locally for ideas, inspiration, encouragement, and social opportunities. Online groups (Facebook, forums, etc.), libraries, community events, places of worship, and local co-ops can be great resources.