Tips for Teaching Preschoolers

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Preschool is one of my favorite ages to teach. The love of learning is so strong. Everything is so exciting and fun for this age. With my own preschoolers, my goal was to be sure not to squelch but enhance that God-given love of learning. These tips for teaching preschoolers is from personal experience.

I do believe a schedule benefits children by building in them a sense of security. For this reason, I scheduled times to work with my preschoolers so they knew what to expect and what was expected of them.

Tips for Teaching Preschoolers:

 

1. Keeping Preschoolers Occupied

I found early on that to a large degree, my success in home schooling many ages at one time was dependent on how I managed my preschoolers. Preschool children have the potential of being a major distraction to the learning environment and must be handled wisely.

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7 Favorite Learning Resources Under $20 for Ages 3-5

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Here is a list of 7 Learning Resources that I really like for preschoolers/kindergartners. I’d say Ages 3-5 would best benefit from these picks.

This year, we are homeschooling our 4th preschooler. (Our other children are in 7th, 6th, and 1st grade!) Along the way, I’ve used some products that were just so-so, some that weren’t worth the time or money, and some that I loved and have used over and over again!

What makes these ‘keepers’ to me? 

  1. My kids have enjoyed them and actually used them
  2. I have enjoyed my kids using them (something that is complicated or overly time-consuming or messy is probably not going to be a winner in my book. So, my “keepers” are resources that are simple, yet effective
  3. Economical- We don’t (can’t) buy our kids every neat book or toy we see. So, resources that get the job done without breaking the bank are a must for us.
  4. Durable- Toys or puzzles that break after one child uses them, won’t be bought again!
  5. Educational- the whole point of a “Learning Resource or Activity” is for it to actually teach kids a skill or strengthen a skill or thinking process or encourage creativity.

So, here you go: 7 suggestions for books or activities that teach – while being fun, too! (and all under $20)

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“Hidden Sins” Cupcakes (a tasty object lesson)

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hidden sins cupcakes colage

Here is a great and tasty object lesson about sin you can do with your children. It is one of the projects found in our Character Concepts for Preschoolers Mom’s Guide. I found this recipe/idea years ago from an old Bible cookbook for kids that had different Bible lessons with recipes to go along with them.

This one become a favorite. In fact, when our youngest child, Kasey, was a little girl, she began calling sweets ‘sin’ and asking for some ‘sin’ for dessert! That always brought some laughter!

Just last week when I had 4 of the grand kids over for a couple of days, I brought out this recipe to make with them. They wondered what in the world we were doing when Kasey and I suggested making “hidden sins” for dessert!  🙂

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Q&A: What do you do with your preschoolers while you are teaching your older kids?

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qanda preschoolers

 

A: As much as possible, I tried to keep my preschoolers in the same room or general area while we were doing school. During the summer, I would prepare special fun activities they could do to learn from while the others were doing their school. See Schooltime Activities for Preschoolers for a list of ideas we used

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Teaching Preschoolers With Older Kids ~ Preschool Thursday with Marilyn Boyer

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Reading to the kidsWhen teaching preschoolers with older kids, I spent 10 minutes with my preschoolers while the older kids were picking up clutter and getting ready to begin school.

Halfway through the morning, the older kids had snack time and again I would spend 10 minutes with my preschoolers. When the morning was over, the older kids would assemble sandwiches for lunch and I again spent 10 minutes with my preschoolers.

Knowing they would have these 3 times during the morning of my undivided attention, made it easier for them to do other activities while I spent time teaching the older ones school.

#Preschool #MarilynBoyer

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On Your Mark, Get Set… Preschool Thursdays with Marilyn Boyer

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This is the time of year I always prepared for my preschoolers “school” time.

I would cut shapes out of construction paper and fill a container for the little ones to “glue” down onto construction paper using glue sticks. I would also gather objects for the kids to trace.

I bought special markers and notebooks, construction paper and supplies, puzzles, flannel graphs, Do-a-Dots, etc.

These items went into a box or special place in the closet and used ONLY during “school time” each day.

I would change their activities often, before they tired of playing with them so the next time we got it out, they had the anticipation of more fun.

We have a large list of suggestions for School time Activities for Preschoolers on our website.

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Looking For A Prepackaged Education? ~ Mondays with Marilyn

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Mondays-w-Marilyn-booksWe tend to assume that schools have figured out the perfect course of study that everyone needs to know to prepare them to be successful adults.

Isn’t there a store of information every child needs to know?  No. Sure, there are skills everyone needs, but God has created each person to be unique.

Instead of blindly assuming the curriculum writers know what is best for my child, I must learn to individualize their curriculum.

By studying their passions and desires you can begin to see how God created each one.

As you learn to understand your child, you can learn to cooperate with God to individualize their learning plan.

Marilyn

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Nature Studies – Diligence ~ Preschool Thursdays

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Thursdays-Preschool-AntsTeach your little one life lessons from the ant.

One of my sons delighted in crushing up saltine crackers on the front porch and watching as the ants would come in force to carry the crumbs off to their home.

Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise.” Proverbs 6:6

What a great opportunity to discuss diligence. God made the ants diligent.

We can learn from them and choose wisely.

 

 

 

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Whatsoever Things Are True ~ Preschool Thursdays with Marilyn Boyer

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Thursdays-Preschool-BewareBeware of teaching things to your preschooler that are not true.

So much of the Bible could be hard to believe. I decided early on that I would not teach my kids fairy tales, Greek myths, or untruths, but only what was true so they could trust my words.

Let Philippians 4:8 be your guide.

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

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Preschool Thursdays with Marilyn Boyer

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Delighting in Your Preschoolers

Thursdays-Preschool

When preschoolers are tempted to interrupt while you’re talking to or listening to someone else, have them lay their hand on your arm to alert you that they need to talk with you. Teach them that is the polite way to get your attention and as soon as you can, you’ll give it to them.

 

 

 

 

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