Homeschooling Kindergarten

You may wonder how to approach kindergarten, and parents are right to be thoughtful when it comes to their child’s education. I fully believe any engaged parent, who desires to learn and works hard, can absolutely teach their child. Don’t get scared either - the hardest work of teaching kindergarten as a parent is learning to slow down. Once you do that, working towards mastery of subjects is fun.

Kindergarten - How critical is it?

In some states kindergarten is not compulsory or required. Texas is one such state. Looking at the research behind kindergarten helps us frame why a parent could teach it.

Research shows that kindergarten is a key indicator for student academic success. What isn’t often shown or discussed is the compiled data and how it is interpreted.

The primary data set used in early education studies measures the following variables: income in relation to the poverty line, maternal education levels, and English as primary or secondary language in the home.

The inverse of this data set isn’t discussed. Parents who are even moderately above the poverty line and have enough language ability and a level of education completed can be relied on to assist in their child’s education, or lead it. In different studies, the parent is presented as a key indicator of academic success as well. Combine both research pools and the data is clear - parental involvement is a key to success at any grade level.

Skills covered in Kindergarten

• Early Reading/Literacy Skills

  These skills begin with alphabet sounds and proceed through beginning consonant blends. Additional reading skills have to do with comprehending story, engaging in discussing stories, and learning to read simple books.

• Early Math Skills

  Number skills and beginning mathematical operations are covered in kinder, and kiddos begin to understand that numbers have specific values and can be manipulated.

• Play & Exploration (especially for science)

  Motor skills are very important at this age, and exploration and play allow these skills to develop. Beading activities, scissor skills, and being in nature all give kids an opportunity to learn about the world around them while interacting with it are key to kinder skills.

• Social studies

  History and Social studies are very much at the level of learning about the world immediately around you. Parents can guide that however they choose. Learn about community helpers, your country, other countries, read stories about history, and enjoy exploring the world - together.

My Experience

I was concerned about kindergarten with my oldest because I had never taught elementary before. Turns out, I had little to be nervous about. He whizzed through kindergarten in three months. Wondering if I should I start first grade early threw me a little, but it ended up being fine. I reviewed his kinder work, identified a couple growth areas, and then reviewed them for one month (December) before proceeding to first grade in January. Such is the beauty of homeschool.

I learned two things from this experience. Firstly, that course correction is not an automatic negative when it comes to education. Beyond that, I learned how to adapt kindergarten to each of my children and eventually additional grade levels have been added on to that list. I’m grateful.

A Kindergarten Road Map

My Texas Homeschool has a Kinder Guide that goes into greater detail on how to master the individual steps for early literacy and math. It also includes a helpful overview of science and social studies. These guides include several features and here are just a few:

• An easy to scan checklist that allows you to see the building blocks of literacy for reading and mathematics, and recommended skills in science and social studies.

• Recommended weekly schedule meant to beat overwhelm

• Our research backed Reading Scaffold©

• Comprehensive list of Reading Engagement Questions

• Image Studies Literacy Guide

• Try it out sheets that give you fun activities to try with your child for each subject area.

• Lots of encouragement to remind you there is not one way to do this right!