Homeschooling a 3 1/2 yr old

Hi, I am just looking for some ideas for about a year. I work full time but would like to help my son out by teaching him some things before he starts school next year.

He could start this year but we do not think he is up for all day, every day school yet so were holding him back til next year.

He is a very smart little boy that will be 4 in November. I would really appreciate it, if you could give me some ideas on things I can do.

Thanks in Advance,
Barb Watt

Hi Barb
Thanks for your question.

This is a really great time to spend time with your child - they just seem to soak up information at this age.

There are loads of great activities you could do that he would enjoy. What about these ideas?

Make a large road map for his cars. Draw out a large map on wallpaper for him to brum his cars around. We made little model buildings and added car parks! Children really love it if you include some places they know (such as your house, grandma's and Daddy's office). Then they can 'drive Daddy to work'.

Raising butterflies is fun in the summer - or collect frogspawn in the spring and watch them hatch into tadpoles.

Make a card game together and then play it.

Try some of these 100 family fun activities.

Buy a tub of stickers and introduce him to journaling for kids. He will soon be asking you how to write letters and spell things.

Lapbooks are great fun for all ages. Let him help with the cutting and pasting.

If you are still stuck for ideas then I would recommend Preschooler's Busy Book: 365 Creative Games & Activities To Occupy 3-6 Year Olds (for UK version click here). It is packed with ideas for you to try.

I also think that reading to him aloud is really important at this stage. A really wonderful book for this is A Picture Perfect Childhood (Uk version here. It is filled with really wonderful picture-book recomendations (although the books are a bit harder to get hold of here in the UK).

Hope you have a wonderful time with your son over the next year.
best wishes, Julie.

Related Pages :

Homeschooling a Preschooler.

help! Homeschooling with Toddlers.