This is our fourth year as a homeschooling family, and we still feel pretty new. The amount of resources available now is so vast that it is overwhelming. It is easy to feel bogged down with all of the curriculum options. That’s why we intentionally gave our youngest room to ease into his education. He is a reluctant learner, and a VERY busy, active boy. The amount of gross motor movement his body needs is honestly mind blowing. That said, we’ve found a few approaches really useful for facilitating the basics of learning alongside his need for activity:
Kinesthetic learning techniques that allow him to wiggle and stay active while reviewing core skills
Hands-on, interactive learning rather than traditional desk-bound seat work
Short, bite-sized lessons to maintain focus
Education.com
People feel how they feel about worksheets, but we actually do love them on occasion. We have really loved Education.com for all of our homeschoolers (Pre-K through 8th grade). There’s tons of great printables, workbooks, and activities for every skill level. I typically look at what we have coming up in our curriculum for the week, and find a couple of targeted practice pages for each kid. There are also some really great online learning games here if that’s your vibe.
Magnetic spelling tiles
This Hand 2 Mind spelling game has been a favorite for my 5 year old. It has proven incredibly durable, holding up beautifully even with a child who is particularly rough on toys and learning tools. I think this has been the most used educational tool we have. It is a great hands on visual tool reinforcing any spelling or phonics lesson. He can also play with this mostly independently while I am doing something close by, like folding laundry or washing dishes. You can use it so many ways! The open ended nature of it allows you to utilize it for blends, CVC words, sight words, or any other phonics skill that need support. It comes in a box you can use for storage, and the tiles are easy to clean up with the magnetic wand.
Biscuit books
It probably goes without saying, but reading together is the most important part of homeschooling your pre-schooler. All 4 of my kids have loved the Biscuit series. These are the cutest books, they are quick to read together, and they are really well suited for those first attempts at independent reading. No matter what reading level, I’ve never met a kid who doesn’t love Biscuit.
Rainbow scratch cards
The Melissa and Doug rainbow scratch art cards have been a really fun way to get the fine motor skills or letter practice in. Sometimes just having something a little unconventional helps keep them focused. These are so open ended, there are tons of ways you can use them. We have done handwriting practice, letter blends, spelling “tests”, journaling, the possibilities for literacy activities are endless.
Leap Move
We recently picked up this LeapMove active learning system, and it’s such a fun, play-based tool. It’s a great indoor activity for rainy days when you need a creative way to get some movement in so they aren’t literally climbing the wall! Because my son is a reluctant learner, having tools that disguise educational skills as games is brilliant. He doesn’t even know we are doing “schoolwork.” I also love having it handy to use as a reward when needed. It is truly a great learning tool to have in your parenting toolbox.
