Preschool-aged children thrive in environments that encourage freedom, creativity, and hands-on learning. Homeschooling during these formative years allows parents to:
- Tailor education to their child’s interests and pace.
- Provide a safe and nurturing environment.
- Foster a strong parent-child bond.
- Encourage learning through play-based and real-world experiences.
Key Principles for Homeschooling Under 7:
Focus on Play-Based Learning
Children under seven learn best through play. Incorporate activities like building with blocks, pretend play, and outdoor exploration to help them develop cognitive, social, and motor skills. I will write a separate post on actual toys and activities that are great for this age group.
Emphasize Life Skills
Everyday tasks, like cooking, tidying up, or gardening, provide invaluable learning opportunities.
They teach problem-solving, patience, and responsibility while naturally introducing concepts like counting, sorting, and following instructions.
Please note though, the best way to get your child to clean is to let them see you cleaning. At this age they want to be like you and they want their freedom.
Similarly if you want them to eat healthy, you should be eating healthy too- I know, one of the great blessings of children is they really make us check ourselves!
Have some goals and milestones in mind:
Most children, between the ages of 4 and 7 should be starting or fully able to do the following:
- Count at least up to 20 and ideally a lot further
- Know some number bonds
- Recognise shapes and patterns
- Start reading and writing
- Understand maths concepts like addition/subtraction and times tables
- Be confident communicators
- Start to be social – all children are different some love lots of playmates and other children are far more content playing with one or two other children
If you are following the UK curriculum and milestones, more info is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/national-curriculum#curriculum-by-key-stages
You may find other countries work faster or slower so its worth looking into other curriculums as well.
The main thing is to encourage learning and make it fun at this stage, giving choice to your child helps a lot. E.g. do you want to write the shopping list for me or find some words in a book that you can recognise?
Keep It Flexible
Fully structured and rigid schedules aren’t necessary for young children. Instead, follow their natural rhythms and interests. This flexibility helps foster a lifelong love of learning. e.g. if they want to do play doh first and shapes later, that’s ok.
A loose routine is beneficial, for example tidying first thing and at night, choosing a specific time to go out, like after breakfast or lunch. Doing grocery shopping on a specific day. This helps children have some idea of what to expect and start to understand planning.
It is not ideal to let your child choose everything in their day, they are too young and need guidance from their parent/carer. It is best to give choice within activities.
Read Aloud Every Day
Reading aloud is one of the best ways to bond with your child whilst teaching them lots, you might even be able to sit down and finish a cup of tea at the same time!
Incorporate Hands-On Activities
Use art, sensory bins, puzzles, and other tactile activities to engage your child’s senses. These activities support fine motor development and creative thinking. I know this stuff can be messy, but creating a dedicated space helps massively – I will write a separate post about this too.
Homeschooling Curriculum Ideas for Under 7s
While formal curricula aren’t required for young children, here are some subject-based ideas to guide your homeschooling journey:
1. Literacy and Language
- Sing nursery rhymes and songs.
- Practice storytelling using picture books or puppets.
- Introduce pre-writing skills with activities like tracing shapes or drawing.
- Fingers in wet sand is great
- Magnetic board with small balls are fun too and a great way to introduce writing
2. Math
- Count objects during everyday tasks (e.g., “How many apples are in the bowl?”).
- Explore patterns and shapes using toys or nature items like leaves and stones.
- Play board games that involve counting or matching.
3. Science
- Conduct simple experiments, like mixing baking soda and vinegar.
- Observe nature, such as watching bugs, planting seeds, or looking at clouds- this will happen naturally if you spend time outdoors regularly
- Explore textures and temperatures with sensory bins (e.g., water, sand, or rice).
4. Art and Creativity
- Provide open-ended art supplies like crayons, paint, and clay.
- Encourage crafting with household items like cardboard, buttons, or yarn.
5. Social and Emotional Learning
Most of this happens from watching and talking with you. Take some time out to just sit and talk with your children, or go for walks and ask them if there is anything they want to talk about. They will learn so much from you and this is the beauty of homeschooling.
When everyone is at work and school for most of the day, most of us are too tired in the evenings to have real, fruitful conversations.
- Practice sharing and taking turns during playdates or family activities.
- Use role-playing games to discuss emotions and problem-solving.
- Encourage self-expression through art, storytelling, or conversation.
Setting Up a Homeschool Environment
Create Dedicated Learning Spaces
Designate areas for reading, art, and play. Keep materials accessible to encourage independence. – I’ve found that keeping things minimal and clutter free is much better. You will find kids get ‘bored’ when there is too much mess or if they can’t reach their stuff. Its also easier for you if they can be more independent.
Rotate Toys and Activities – fewer toys that are engaging and allow the child to actually complete something are the best kinds. Once they master a skill the toy can be replaced with something more challenging. Rotation can be as simple as putting some away for one week and then swapping the following week.
Outdoor time is essential for physical development, exploration, and fostering a connection to nature.
If screens are used, focus on educational content and balance it with hands-on activities. Also avoid programmes that are made for kids. The presenters are always unnaturally hyped up and these shows are over stimulating. Use shows that are designed for everyone with normal content, like cooking shows or how bees make honey etc. These kinds of programmes are paced normally and reflect real life.
Socialization for Homeschooling Preschoolers
Socialization is a common concern for homeschooling families, but there are plenty of ways to ensure your child develops strong social skills:
- Join local homeschooling groups or co-ops.
- Attend library storytimes or community events.
- Arrange regular playdates with other families.
- Enroll in age-appropriate extracurricular activities, like taekwondo or forest school.
Tracking Progress
While formal assessments aren’t necessary at this age, you can track progress by:
- Taking notes on milestones and achievements.
- Creating a portfolio of artwork, crafts, and photos of activities.
- Observing how your child interacts with the world and responds to new challenges.
Homeschooling Under 7: A Balanced Approach
Homeschooling young children is about finding a balance between structured activities and free exploration. Focus on creating a joyful, stimulating environment that supports your child’s natural curiosity and growth. With patience and creativity, you’ll provide a strong foundation for lifelong learning.
It does get hard and overwhelming, there is nothing wrong with having ‘lazy days’ where you don’t do much or telling the kids to learn to play on their own. Also having downtime during busy days is a must for survival.
If you have specific questions or want ideas for tailored activities, feel free to reach out. Happy homeschooling! 😊