A Beautiful Beginning
I think the best age to start home schooling is 2 – 3 when the child is most curious. They need this time to explore and discover all the beauty the world has to offer. This is a narrow window of time, that passes quickly. Play is the most important at this age, even up to the ages of 6.
“Play is the work of the child,”
-Maria Montessori
We have an entire room dedicated as a playroom for the girls. My wonderful husband came up with this idea. I think its really important to have moral support from your spouse before you home school. It should be discussed between the two of you because the children are both of yours after all. He created the playroom to replicate a stage where the girls could dance and perform! When they are ready and grow older it will turn into their bedroom.
Children at this age need a safe space to explore. So you can set an area with a low shelf and place various open-ended toys. We set up a shelf with blocks, stacking toys, magnetic tiles, books, scarves, baskets, and loose parts made out of natural materials (rocks, seashells, twigs, acorns, pinecones etc.) When they are given various materials and not given any instruction, they develop curiosity, foster creativity and leaves much room for imagination.
“Imagination is more important than knowledge,”
-Albert Einstein
When children play with their friends or siblings, they learn social skills, collaboration, and empathy. When they can play by themselves they develop key problem solving skills, independence, and persistence.
Reading to your children is the greatest gift you can give them. Children love the sound of language and music even before they speak and know how to read. When the rhythm and melody of language become a part of a child’s life, learning to read will come as naturally as walking and talking.
Music is one of the few activities that involve the whole brain. We love music in our family. It has many surprising benefits like acquiring language. Sing to your children as often as you read. Let them listen to music and encourage them to sing.
Fine motor skills are important for young children because it strengthens and develops key muscles for writing, as they grow older. I did not know this with my older child and its easy to see the difference between my two children. Using Tweezers, playing with play doh and stacking blocks are a great way to improve this. There is no right or wrong way to play! Just let them explore in a place where your child is free to think, ask questions. Create the atmosphere and find the joys of homeschooling!
