My one-year-old learned how to throw a ball this past week. He grasps any round object, tilts up and adjusts his balance – we still have the penguin waddle going on – and drops it with a little upturned flick of his wrist. Merry laughter immediately peals forth and he smiles up at me, his cheeks so raised that his beautiful eyes become mere slits. Then his lips drop, his eyes open, and he bends with concentration to begin the exercise anew.
Watching each of my children beginning to learn any new skill is such a marvel and delight. Their individuality flares forth, and I constantly wonder at this emerging little person! Perhaps this fascination is why I consider the preschool age so fun; the children are often to eager to be with you and learn from you and, in teaching, we ourselves recover the gifts of childhood.
Still, the only child I truly did a complete preschool curriculum with was my oldest. There just wasn’t as much time to spend with the smaller ones after I was involved in history and long division and reading with multiple older children. Yet, my love for these programs hasn’t ceased, and I still pull from my cherished resources here and there for whomever is the current toddler. It’s essential to remember that you can embark on adventurous preschool program that saves you the worry of planning. Alternatively, you can simply play with your youngsters, read to them, talk with them about whatever holds them in amazement, and smile at their interactions with older siblings. Be present, one way or another, and they will learn!
If you are looking for some preschool resources, here are my favorites.
1. Five in a Row
This is a beautiful and simple reading-based preschool program. The complete Five in a Row set consists of four books, with additional titles for the youngest preschooler and other supplements. Each book contains 15-20 weeks of planned activities, each week centered on a specific picture book. The recommendation is that the parent read the featured story each day during the week and then complete one of the activities, each of those being focused in math, language arts, geography, or another school subject. These activities are simple and might consist of counting the number of animals in the book, drawing a map – perhaps one of the route the family of ducks take to the Boston Public Gardens in Make Way for Ducklings – or baking a dish referred to within the story.
By itself, Five in a Row can serve as a complete preschool program, or you can utilize it as a supplement and pull specific activities and book ideas from it. This particular curriculum is also very affordable, as many of the titles can be found at the library. When I was working diligently through it with one of my daughters, I simply followed those weeks focused on books easily acquired, and skipped those based on books that were not in my library system. This series is also a great introduction to the best of children’s picture books if – like me – you can’t recall many authors or titles from your own preschool years. Finally, because this program is drawn from stories, you’ll find any older siblings listening in as well and naturally develop a sweet reading spot in your day. The second edition is currently being printed, but older editions are nearly just as good if you find them cheaper!
2. Montessori by Mom
This was at the top of my favorites list when I was doing preschool full time. Each month, a box would arrive containing supplies for several activities, based on the Montessori approach to education and a specific monthly theme. One box might be on caves and contain caveman supplies, crystal growing kits, and a book on cave features. Another might focus on the letters and have within it a sandpaper letter-tracing book, mini cork board with sponge letters, sand and tray for tracing, and mini animals to make up a phonetic zoo.
I actually stretched out each box’s resources to compose a unit study which would occupy us for about three months. With each subscriber’s account came an online toolbox, featuring videos on how exactly to present each activity to the child and additional printable resources. I would add picture books from the library and 1-2 similarly themed field trips to round out our study. On the website, you can sign up to receive a box monthly or bi-monthly. Additionally, you can purchase some kits alone so if there’s a specific set of supplies you’re in need of – say for your home phonics study – you can purchase that specific kit. Each kit is accompanied with a brochure, listing the supplies included, the activities suggested, and the available online supplements. The subscription fee is higher than purchasing a simple program like Five in a Row but a highlight of this program is that you receive authentic Montessori resources you can use again and again with multiple children.
3. Little Saints
This preschool program is specifically Catholic and contains 40 2-week unit studies to carry you from August through Mary. The units follows the seasons and liturgical year, and plans for three lesson days per week. Each day’s plan consists of a Bible verse, a few learning games and activities, suggested picture books, and an art project.
The layout is easy to follow, as the table of contents lists the themes for each month – there are more than two to choose from so this program can be used for multiple years. Then, each unit plan contains a list of what to prepare for each lesson day, followed by the actual structured lesson plan. Users will find the preparation time and planning more intensive than a program such as Five in Row. Whereas with Five in a Row, one can simply pick up the week’s picture book and teacher guide at the beginning of each lesson day, Little Saints’ lesson activities and projects are grouped thematically and will require more coordination of books and supplies, and some preparation for the art projects. If you and your child enjoy crafts, this may be a good program as templates for crafts are included and a couple projects are planned for every week.
Naturally, as with any program, you can pick and choose what you’d like to do. At the very beginning of every unit, lists of the skill goals, musical selections, and supplemental books are given. It’s very easy to make this more literature focused or more art directed. Similarly, you could use this as a resource for seasonal or liturgical activities throughout the year.
4. A Year of Playing Skillfully
This preschool program focuses on inspiring wonder in your children through play, and teaching them by “doing” with them. Similar to Little Saints, it proposes unit studies; in this curriculum, each month has a theme. Rather than a structured lesson plan, the month’s activities and ideas are spread out in a creative collage. Each category of activities (music and art, math and manipulatives, science and sensory, etc.) is followed by a checklist, so you can mark off the activities when completed. This book does emphasize hands-on activities and crafts, but there’s also encouragement to keep it fun, and to alter or drop those projects which don’t fit your family.
The plans for each activity are detailed and supply lists are provided; some preparation is required for certain activities and you will also want to look ahead to see what supplies your home cabinet may be missing. While the more creative format may frustrate list-loving parents, the more flexible plans are also freeing: there’s no sense of failure since detailed daily plans aren’t provided. In fact, if you plan on repeating the program the following year, you may want to leave some of the activities for the future!
The publisher, Homegrown Preschooler, also offers A Summer of Playing Skillfully, which can be a good means to test if this curriculum does help you play with the children more as you teach!
5. Wing It
I’m not joking! If you have particular ideas of what you love to do with your child, map out your own curriculum! Maybe you want to focus on reading and just need to compile a good booklist. Perhaps your children love art projects and you simply want more craft ideas. You could opt to purchase some Montessori supplies, geometric puzzles, and an alphabet stories book! If you’re just looking for support and ideas, here are some of my favorite online supports when teaching this age.
Read Aloud Revival – a wonderful source of booklists and podcasts about reading and homeschooling
Wild & Free – a means to connecting with other homeschooling moms and receiving encouragement through regular, uplifting emails or even thematic, monthly bundles of articles, online videos, and project ideas
Catholic Icing – a plethora of craft ideas are available here for Catholic homeschooling mamas
Rainbow Resource – my go-to curriculum store for all ages and grades, including preschool
102 Top PIcks for Homeschool Curriculum – contains helpful advice on curriculum choices for all ages, but the beginning section of the book also explains how to determine your style of learning and your child’s, in order you to find what type of curriculum will be your best choice
