Are you thinking about homeschooling your kindergartener? Congratulations! Homeschooling can be a very rewarding experience. So what do you need to know about how to start homeschooling a kindergartener?
Homeschooling a Kindergartener
If you feel overwhelmed or even a bit anxious, that is totally okay! It’s normal to feel a bit overwhelmed when taking on a new challenge. But starting in kindergarten is a great opportunity to get to know your child and yourself with very little academic pressure.
I’ve compiled a list of posts and articles I’ve written that I hope will help you think through some of the aspects of homeschooling. Our homeschooling experience started in kindergarten and it has taken many twists and turns. You’ll see some of that in the posts below.
Best wishes as you start this exciting new phase in your life!
Getting Started in Early Learning
Getting Started in Early Learning is an article I wrote for The Old Schoolhouse print magazine that you can read online. It covers the basics in terms of learning style, teaching style, curriculum approach and goals.
Relaxed Homeschooling in Kindergarten
We are relaxed homeschoolers. I’ve written about how we became relaxed homeschoolers. I also described how we do various learning activities in these posts about relaxed homeschooling. Taking a relaxed approach will work very well for most families starting kindergarten.
How We Ended Up Relaxed Homeschoolers and What It Looks LikeRelaxed Homeschooling in the Early Elementary Years – A How To SeriesHow I Teach Language ArtsHow I Teach MathHow I Teach ScienceHow I Teach History
Understanding Your Child
One of the best ways to have a successful start to your homeschooling journey is to make sure you truly understand your child! Working with your child’s nature bent will greatly reduce the possibility of friction and resistance. It will never eliminate all of it, but it will definitely help!
- Age Disequilibrium and Homeschooling Stress
- Personality Types and Homeschooling Stress
- Choosing a Homeschool Approach – Understand Your Child First!
Our Kindergarten Year
If your first year of homeschooling isn’t a smooth one, don’t be surprised! Ours was bumpy and full of starts and stops!
- Kindergarten Homeschool Planning
- A Sample Kindergarten Homeschool Schedule for a Creative Dreamer Child
- Our First Year of Homeschooling – A Look Back at the Ups and Downs of Kindergarten
Do What Works for Your Family!
This is by far one of the most popular posts on my website. The bottom line? Do what works for your family!
Avoiding Homeschool Burnout and Stress
It’s very important to take steps from the very beginning to avoid homeschool burnout and stress. While none of us can completely eliminate it, we can reduce it. Here are some helpful suggestions to keep in mind!
- Creating a Mom-Friendly Homeschool
- Saying “No” to Burnout
- Saying “No” to Homeschool Pressures
- Feeling Inadequate and Homeschooling Stress
- Preparing Your Homeschool Substitute Teacher Plans and Bin
A Differently-Wired Child
If you are choosing to homeschool your kindergartener because he or she is wired a bit differently and wouldn’t fit into a traditional classroom, you will want to check out some of the resources I have listed here!
- Teaching Our Spirited, Active Child to Read
- The Ultimate Guide to Homeschooling a Right-Brained Child
- 31 Days of Children Who Learn Differently
Homeschool Planners
I have a beautiful collection of homeschool planners and regular planners available in my printables shop.
Classic Kindergarten Picture Books
If you are looking for a comprehensive reading list for the kindergarten year, I’ve assembled this Classic Kindergarten Picture Books list based on recommendations from a variety of trusted sources.
Creating an Art Cabinet
If you have a kindergartener, be sure to keep lots of crafts supplies on hand! Working with these kinds of materials is great for their fine motor development. I shared a post with a list of what we try to keep on hand for our daughter in Creating an Arts and Crafts Cabinet. Even if you don’t have a full cabinet to use, a cupboard or other dedicated area will work!
Learning Websites
We limited Caroline’s computer usage until she was around five years old. She loves learning via technology so we make use of it now. Here are two posts regarding websites I would recommend for Kindergarten.
Learning Printables in My Shop
Don’t miss all of the wonderful learning printables in my shop: Sallie Borrink Printables Shop.
The Big Book of Homeschooling Ideas
If you would like a great resource written by experienced homeschool moms (including me!), then check out The Big Book of Homeschool Ideas. It is full of great information for new homeschoolers! There is also a follow-up entitled The Big Book of Homeschool Ideas: Volume 2.
The Big Book of Homeschool IdeasThe Big Book of Homeschool Ideas: Volume 2
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