So it begins. 
Last year we started home preschool with the Hands on Homeschooling two-year-old curriculum. I did enjoy that very much. However, since my plan is to use Sonlight curriculum for grade school (not set in stone but that’s the direction I’m heading), I wanted to test the waters with the Sonlight P3 curriculum.
Today was our first day of school, and is that a nervous flutter I felt? True. Even though our day was lightly planned (Sonlight preschool lessons are rather light) I felt nervous to put on the “teacher hat.”
From an idea I spotted on Pinterest (seriously, how did anybody teach before Pinterest?), our first day was simply a celebration of the “official start of school” (not the start of learning – that happens all the time!). Instead of a regular lesson, I planned a “Day of Discovery” to explore the excitement to come this year.
The night before, I piled all the homeschool materials I could gather onto the kitchen table. Stacks of books, process art materials, manipulatives, magnetic letters, writing notebooks… I know I have more but… I just tried to get the main things out for viewing.
In the morning, I told our son to get dressed “in a nice outfit for the first day of school.” I couldn’t be more proud, he picked out a matching outfit from Zutano – something I would’ve probably picked if he were going to a physical preschool! Nice job, kiddo!
Our son’s reaction to the Discovery Display was adorable. He came around the corner into the dining room and shouted, “OH! School’s here!” Love it!
During breakfast, I could barely get him away from the Mighty Minds manipulative game. But he did enjoy the “School Cake” (english muffin with jelly and candle) and singing “It’s the first day of school” to the tune of Happy Birthday. Blowing out candles? Always fun, no matter the occasion.
We spent the better part of an hour pouring over books and craft materials. As he looked through each item, I explained how we’d learn about drawing, art, cutting, pasting, tracing, writing, how our body works, children in faraway places, the sounds letters make…
It was all very enjoyable. The backfire of this was he wanted to start working on EVERYTHING he saw! Ha ha! So we did do a tracing worksheet and read a few stories, even though that wasn’t part of the plan.
And what is the plan anyway? Learning, fun and natural learning is the plan this year!
I’m hoping to post updates on our homeschooling regularly… please let me know if you have any questions about how we’re doing home preschool! I’d love to share our thoughts and ideas!
I also welcome any ideas from you – are you homeschooling this year?
Sarah Jane
Tuesday 10th of September 2013
I too want to homeschool my daughter, but will probably do pre-school next year. She just turned three in August and still seems young to do formalized homeschooling, but we'll probably start formally doing something next fall. Let me know how Sonlight works for you because that's one of the curriculums we're looking at.
Sarah Jane
Tuesday 10th of September 2013
I too want to homeschool my daughter, but will probably do pre-school next year. She just turned three in August and still seems young to do formalized homeschooling, but we'll probably start formally doing something next fall. Let me know how Sonlight works for you because that's one of the curriculums we're looking at.
Amanda A
Saturday 7th of September 2013
Not homeschooling here but I can't wait to hear about what you are doing and would love ideas with activities for kids after school.
Amanda A
Saturday 7th of September 2013
Not homeschooling here but I can't wait to hear about what you are doing and would love ideas with activities for kids after school.
Hannah Avery
Saturday 7th of September 2013
Yes, I can't wait to see all you do! I also have a 3 year old, who I plan to Homeschool. I want to do more preschool things with him this year, but haven't really figured out where to work it into my daily routine. I need to work on that!