Homeschooling kindergarten
Integrate the outdoors to create a vibrant learning environment
Homeschooling kindergarten children is a great way for you and your child to 
learn about science, math, reading and other subjects.
As a parent who homeschooled my own son in kindergarten, while also looking after a baby and a preschooler, and as a qualified teacher, I have a few words of advice. One, take time to familiarize yourself with the basic skills kindergarten children should learn. You will find them in easy to read lists on this site. Two, be aware that there are many different ways to teach these skills.
For example, when homeschooling kindergarten children, two math skills they should practice are:
- creating patterns at various difficulty levels (red, yellow, red, yellow, repeat... or red, red, yellow, red, red, yellow)
- copying patterns that others have made
There are many kindergarten type workbooks available where kids can color patterns in the book ...ho hum, not too interesting ... OR... you could go for a walk on a warm autumn morning and kick some colored leaves and practice the same skills.
Gather the leaves and place them in rows - yellow leaf, yellow leaf, red leaf, yellow leaf, yellow leaf, red leaf. Play games with your child.. "I'll make a leaf pattern and you copy mine and you make a leaf pattern and I'll copy yours.
Get kids outside!
Parents homeschooling kindergarten children have the advantage of going on field trips everyday, even if it is just to the backyard or park, and using everyday objects to teach math, science and reading skills. Use games, puzzles, toys or math and science equipment to teach basic skills.
When homeschooling kindergarten, you can integrate the outdoors to create a vibrant learning environment, teach skills with real objects that the children can touch and discover and encourage problem solving and creative thought processes as the children have more time to explore their surroundings.
Other ideas when homeschooling
kindergarten children:
- Go to a park and count the bars on the monkey bars
- Write numbers and letters in the sandbox with a stick
- Create letters with twigs
- Cook! So much math and science in this activity, ask what did you notice? why do you think the dough formed bubbles? Fill the cup to the 100 grams.
- Go for a "letter walk" down a neighborhood street...look at signs, mailboxes, and house numbers. Can you find some Rs? the number 4?
Great books to help homeschooling parents teach math
Scholastic News Nonfiction Readers: Everyday Math is a great series of math books to help parents teach math to young learners:
Math at The Store
Math in The Car
Math in The Kitchen
Math on The Playground
Math in The Neighborhood
Math in The Backyard
Hands on first, worksheets / recording sheets second -
- When homeschooling, use worksheets and pencil and paper type recording sheet activities to reinforce skills already practiced with hands on activities
- Use worksheets for short periods of time only
- Read to find out how to teach children to record their observations and discoveries.
- Invest money in science, math and art and craft equipment rather than thick workbooks.
Kids learn through playing games-
Playing games such as the ABC Match and Learn Game, motivates many children to pay attention to letters. See classification games and number games for more ideas. 
Have fun, relax and play with your children as they learn.
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