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Homeschooling Preschool?This Is What I Wish I’d Known
Beginning homeschooling can be both intimidating and exciting. When we first started, I had big ideas about how to structure our days, what to teach, and which homeschool preschool programs would help my daughter Emily learn letters, sounds, and numbers—while still having fun.
But looking back, I realize I was overcomplicating it.
I tried formal circle time, workbooks, and structured lessons—thinking that’s what “real” learning looked like. But the truth? The most meaningful learning happened after “school”: when we read books together, played pretend, or baked cookies in the kitchen.
If you’re exploring homeschool preschool programs, I want to share what I wish I’d known:
Preschool doesn’t need to look like school.
In fact, the best programs are the ones that feel like play, connection, and curiosity.
Let me walk you through our journey—and how it led to creating a joyful, no-prep preschool program that’s now helping families just like yours.
Our Homeschool Journey: From Overwhelm to Simplicity
At the start, I thought “good” homeschooling meant rigid schedules, workbooks, and daily lessons. I used programs like Hooked on Phonics, Explode the Code, and Horizons Math. We had a morning basket, table time, and afternoon activities—trying to replicate a classroom at home.
We even did alphabet-themed units—like learning about dinosaurs for the letter D—because Emily loved them. And while those ideas came from a good place, I quickly realized something:
We were doing too much.
The worksheets, the busywork, the pressure to “cover everything”—it wasn’t bringing joy. In fact, the most meaningful learning happened outside of formal lessons.
That’s when it hit me:
Preschool shouldn’t be about preparing for school. It should be about letting my child be little.
Fred Rogers said it best:
“Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children, play is serious learning. Play is the work of childhood.”
So I made a change. I let go of the pressure. I stopped chasing academics. And I focused on what really matters: connection, curiosity, and play.
3 Things That Made Our Homeschool Preschool Programs Work
After years of trial and error, three simple practices transformed our experience. These are the same principles we built into our homeschool preschool program—because they work.
1. Purposeful Play: Where Real Learning Happens
I used to think learning only happened at the table. Now I know it happens in the kitchen, backyard, and pretend doctor’s office.
In our preschool curriculum package, we include 26 themed pretend play packs—so your child can:
- Be a scientist mixing “potions”
- Run a grocery store
- Pretend to be a vet, chef, or astronaut
These aren’t just fun. They build language, social skills, problem-solving, and early literacy—all through play.
💡 Tip: Use open-ended questions: “What will your restaurant serve?” or “How will the doctor help the teddy bear?”
2. Picture Books: The Heart of Early Learning
Looking back, I wish I’d spent less time on worksheets and more time on great books.
Picture books are powerful. They teach:
- Vocabulary and sentence structure
- Empathy and emotional awareness
- History, science, and life lessons
One of my favorite memories? Reading The Very Hungry Caterpillar and watching Emily connect it to our butterfly life cycle unit.
💡 Pro Tip: Use the Reading Rockets Book Finder to discover engaging, diverse books that match your child’s interests. Whether it’s dinosaurs, space, or feelings—there’s a book for that.
Our curriculum for preschool includes a custom book list to get you started—because reading aloud should be joyful, not stressful.
3. Cooking Together: A Secret Learning Superpower
The kitchen is one of the best classrooms.
When we cooked together, Emily learned:
- Math: counting ingredients, measuring cups
- Science: what happens when you mix or heat things?
- Fine motor skills: pouring, stirring, using safe knives
- Following directions: “First we crack the egg, then we stir.”
We even made alphabet-themed snacks—bananas for B, carrots for C—and counted grapes for math practice. It was delicious and educational.
These moments weren’t “school.” But they were some of the most meaningful learning of all.
What I Wish I’d Known About Homeschool Preschool Programs
If I could go back, here’s what I’d tell my younger self:
✅ Preschool Doesn’t Need to Be Rigorous
You don’t need hours of lessons or stacks of workbooks. A gentle, play-based approach builds stronger foundations than any worksheet ever could.
✅ Your Child Doesn’t Need to Be “Ahead”
Kindergarten isn’t a race. Focus on curiosity, confidence, and connection—not checklists.
✅ You Don’t Need a Perfect Schedule
A simple rhythm works better than a rigid timetable. Try:
- Morning circle (calendar, weather, read-aloud)
- Short learning activity (10–15 min)
- Free play, cooking, or nature time
- Story and quiet time
That’s it. The rest is life.
Introducing Our Homeschool Preschool Program: Designed for Real Families
After years of learning (and unlearning), I created the Preschool Curriculum (Pre-K4/TK) —a 36-week, no-prep, printable program that makes learning joyful, simple, and stress-free.
This best homeschool curriculum for preschool is more than just a set of activities—it’s a complete homeschool preschool program built around what actually works in real homes.
What’s Included:
📚 Language & Literacy
- Letter recognition (A–Z, uppercase & lowercase)
- Beginning sounds & phonemic awareness
- Handwriting readiness (tracing, pencil grip)
✂️ Fine Motor & Creativity
- Scissor practice (safe cutting)
- Themed coloring pages
- Playdough mats for hands-on fun
🔢 Math Skills
- Counting 0–10
- Number values & one-to-one correspondence
- Patterns, sequencing, and simple graphing
🌍 Early Science & World Knowledge
- Days of the week & months
- Seasons & weather
- Animals & habitats
- Life cycles (plants, butterflies, frogs)
🎁 BONUS: Editable Name Tracing (Canva Template!)
Customize tracing sheets in seconds—perfect for long or unique names. Just type, download, and print.
With over 800 pages of playful, skill-building activities, everything is organized into 36 weekly lesson plans—so you can download, print, and start whenever you’re ready.
👉 Get the Preschool Curriculum (Pre-K4/TK) Here
What Comes Next? Seamless Next Steps in Our Curriculum Line
Our homeschool preschool program is just the beginning. When your child is ready to grow, we offer smooth transitions to:
🎒 Kindergarten Curriculum (Ages 5–6)
36 weeks of joyful, no-prep learning: phonics, math, handwriting, science, and social-emotional growth.
📚 First Grade Curriculum (Ages 6–7)
Build strong reading, writing, and math skills with 800+ pages of skill-building lessons and weekly plans.
All are instant digital downloads—available immediately after purchase. No shipping, no waiting.
Final Thought: Let Your Preschooler Be Little
Homeschooling preschool isn’t about checking boxes. It’s about nurturing curiosity, building confidence, and enjoying this fleeting season.
You don’t need perfection. You need presence, patience, and a program that feels like joy.
With the right support, you can create a year that’s playful, meaningful, and foundational—one that sets the tone for years of love for learning.
Welcome to your homeschool journey. We’re so glad you’re here.
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Discover the best homeschool preschool programs for ages 4–5. Play-based, no-prep, and joyful. Includes editable name tracing & 36 weekly lesson plans.
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- [Best Homeschool Preschool Programs]
- [Preschool Curriculum – 36 Weeks of Play-Based Learning]
- [Free Book List & Name Tracing Included]
- [What Comes After Preschool?]
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