Best Play Based Learning Curriculum
Attention parents! Are you struggling with the decision to send your little ones to a traditional preschool or keep them at home? Are you debating between a play based preschool or a traditional and academic based preschool setting? There are many benefits to both.
In this post, we are going to take a really deep dive into what a play based learning curriculum might look like. We are going to cover what a play based curriculum looks like as well as how your child will be learning those important academic skills through play.
A play based Preschool Homeschool Curriculum
The decision is a difficult one, and the answer will rely on what your child needs from a school setting and if that specific program can fulfill those needs.If you want to skip the traditional school setting and keep your little one at home, now is the time to embrace homeschool preschool!
Believe it or not, many parents have begun turning to homeschooling preschool as a fun and engaging alternative. And guess what? It's not as daunting as it sounds!
In fact, preschoolers learn best through play. With a play-based learning curriculum, your child can learn while having fun at the same time. Plus, it's easier than you think to incorporate educational activities into your daily routine. Let's dive in and explore the exciting world of homeschooling preschool!
How to Homeschool Preschool
If you will using homeschooling pre k lesson plans in the near future, it’s important to do sufficient research to ensure that your little one starts off their academic career on the right foot.
At this age, preschooler are very impressionable. they are observant and curious and eager to learn more. Taking advantage of that enthusiasm can help you instill a love of learning early on and inspire them to be lifelong learners.
Here are the steps for preparing for homeschooling preschool.
- Look into your state's homeschooling requirements.
- Identify what your child's learning style is.
- Research pre k homeschool curriculum options.
- Set goals for your child's learning.
- Set up a schedule.
- Monitor your child's progress.
How to Create a Play Based Homeschool Curriculum
A play based preschool is more than just playtime - it's where your child's interests and personality are unfolding! Through deliberate and staged play opportunities, your child can build new skills while discovering the fun of learning. They are also developing the skills that they can use in a formal school setting.
Here are the steps for making up a play based curriculum for preschool.
- Determine how much play is appropriate for the age of your preschooler.
- Find ways to integrate simple play lessons into your normal routine and schedule.
- Identify your child's interests and build lessons around them.
Related Reading
Common Myths About Play Based PreschoolOne of the most common misconceptions about homeschooling preschool or about play based learning is that it all play time all the time! It might look like that, but the truth for most families is that preschool homeschool is simply a more intentional way to add playful learning activities into your daily life.
Learning isn't meant to be quiet and still.
What does play based learning look like?
A learning "classroom" or home should hum with activity. There should be a low humming of learning. The best play based curriculum for preschool emphasizes a preschooler’s innate curiosity, so you should hear your child talking, asking questions, and even singing with enjoyment.
How will I know my child is meeting learning goals?
Another common myth about play based preschool settings is that there is not specific outcome of goal. After all, it does look like "just playing". Keeping a preschool portfolio will help keep yourself in check and track your child's progress throughout the year.
Portfolios are incredibly informative, especially when pairs with a traditional preschool assessment.
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How do I know if I am challenging my preschooler at home?
A well done homeschool preschool curriculum should be challenging and high interest. Because of this, sometimes it might seem like your preschooler is not being challenged. The truth is, a child who is learning in their proximal zone of development and within their own interests will be happy and content...and learning!
This is now referred to as scaffolding.
Scaffolding consists of the activities provided by the educator, or more competent peer, to support the student as he or she is led through the zone of proximal development.
Support is tapered off (i.e. withdrawn) as it becomes unnecessary, much as a scaffold is removed from a building during construction. The student will then be able to complete the task again independently.
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The Best Play Based Learning Curriculum for Preschoolers
As we have established, a play based learning curriculum is not just letting the kids loose in the home to play as they please. Yes, there is a place for free play in a preschool setting, but play based learning is also about setting up play opportunities for children to explore.
Here are some examples.
Ocean Animal Small World
It doesn’t seem to matter the age, nearly every child I’ve every worked with has had some interest in learning about the ocean. For my son who just turned two, this means some ocean small world play.
This ocean sensory bin offers young children a world of hands-on learning about the beloved real life topic of the ocean! Older children also often enjoy water table activities, so this ocean themed sensory activity can be used at home for all ages!
Earth Day Invitation to Play
By combining sensory and science activities for preschoolers, you can create a playdough invitation-to-play perfect for celebrating the planet. Read ahead to discover more about our tutorial on how to make easy eco-friendly playdough while building lasting memories with your little ones!
Benefits of Dramatic Play
Does your playroom often get transformed into a pirate ship, a train station, or a campsite? Do you find yourself stocking up on Halloween costumes when they go on clearance after the holiday? Does your little one ask to be called “Officer” or “Doctor” rather than their first name?
You must have a kiddo who loves dramatic play!
Get a Pre K Homeschool Curriculum Done for You
The Complete Daily Lessons in Preschool Literacy & Math Curriculum has everything you need to teach your preschoolers literacy and math in a fun and engaging way, without all the boring worksheets!
That's right...it's a systematic play based curriculum with no boring worksheets!
40 WEEKS OF LESSONS PLANS!
INCLUDES:
- yearly scope and sequence
- daily learning routines
- weekly discovery concept prompts
- targeted, skill-based learning activities
- integrated literacy activities
- weekly printable math and literacy centers
- teaching tips
- bonus activities
TEACH MORE EFFECTIVELY WITH THE DAILY LESSONS IN PRESCHOOL CURRICULUM
Keep your preschoolers learning all year long with forty weeks of literacy and math instruction. The Daily Lessons in Preschool Curriculum:
- uses proven, systematic strategies
- has varied and engaging activities
- is flexible for 2-5 day programs
- includes no-prep daily lessons
- includes music and movement
- includes cross-curricular activities
- BONUS! – Weekly printable centers for both literacy and math
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I’m Sarah, an educator turned stay-at-home-mama of five! I’m the owner and creator of Stay At Home Educator, a website about intentional teaching and purposeful learning in the early childhood years. I’ve taught a range of levels, from preschool to college and a little bit of everything in between. Right now my focus is teaching my children and running a preschool from my home. Credentials include: Bachelors in Art, Masters in Curriculum and Instruction.