Preschool at Home

NCHE is here to help you get started with confidence and joy!

• Are you new to homeschooling and wondering where to even begin with your preschooler?

• Are you torn between feeling excited to homeschool and worrying you don’t have the patience, organization, or creativity to actually pull it off?

• Are you a seasoned homeschooler who’s suddenly back in the land of picture books and Play-Doh?

• Are you looking for a community to share the joys and challenges of the preschool years?

If you answered “Yes” to any of these, you are in the right place!

Discover the Treasure

This season with your young child is a treasure in itself—a precious time of learning and growing together. As their first and most important teacher, you are also building a treasure chest that will last a lifetime, not with a rigid map or a demanding schedule, but with the simple warmth of your presence and the love you pour into your home.

You place another gem inside every time you read a story, whisper a prayer, or patiently answer a question. And what a treasure it is becoming, filled with the most precious gems of all: a secure bond that makes them feel safe and loved, a joyful curiosity that will last a lifetime, and a tender heart that is open to God’s goodness. This foundational work of love is the greatest gift you can give.

The path to unlocking this treasure is paved with small, intentional actions. Here are the keys to focus on each day:

• Connect with Your Children

• Encourage Curiosity

• Develop Their Character

• Find Comfort For Your Soul

Let’s explore what that could practically look like in your home!

• Find Comfort For Your Soul: Homeschooling little ones is a high calling, filled with moments of joy and days that test our patience. The spilled paint, the toddler tantrums, and the moments of doubt are part of the journey, but you don’t have to walk it alone. Being in community with people who understand and can encourage you will help you commit to homeschooling beyond these early years.

Need encouragement?

Your daily efforts will produce a harvest.

When you feel unqualified for this calling, remember that the God who brought you to it is faithful to equip you with everything you need.

Hebrews 13: 2021 (CSB): “Now may the God of peace… equip you with everything good to do his will, working in us what is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ…“

You can trade worries for peace.

You are invited to exchange the heavy weight of your worries for a peace that surpasses all understanding by turning every anxious thought into a conversation with God.

Philippians 4:6-7 (CSB): “Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”

FAQ

1. What should I be teaching, and am I doing enough? Focus on connection, character, and curiosity. At this age, rigorous academics are not the focus. If you read stories, play outside, practice kindness, and explore the world together, you are giving your child exactly what they need.

2. What if I’m nervous to teach certain subjects? You are the expert on your child, and your love and willingness to learn with them will help them become lifelong learners. Model the joy of learning by discovering answers together.

3. What should our day look like? Do we need a strict schedule? Strive for a gentle daily rhythm, not a rigid schedule. A predictable flow provides security and consistency.

4. My child won’t sit still for lessons. How do I teach them? They aren’t supposed to! Preschoolers learn through movement. Embrace this by singing the ABCs while jumping, counting steps on a walk, or drawing with chalk outside. If they’re moving and playing, their brains are learning.

5. What about socialization? Homeschooling provides excellent, real-world socialization. Your child learns key social skills by interacting naturally with people of all ages. Spending time at parks or with other homeschool families provides an opportunity for consistent, positive time with peers. This can take some time to develop, give yourself grace.

6. Do I need to buy an expensive curriculum? No. Your best resources are your library card, the toys you trip over in your home, and your backyard. Learning happens naturally when you talk, read, and discover life together.