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Question: Hello, I am interested in homeschooling. My oldest son is only 2-1/2. At what age is it recommended to begin the pre-k curriculum? What materials should I start out with for his age? He can say his alphabet and count to 13. He knows his colors pretty well and talks VERY well for his age. I want to begin teaching him what the letters sound like and what they look like. Is he too young for this? Thanks!
Answer:

Dear Parent,

Thank you for your question!

Most children begin pre-school around the age of three and a half or four. I wouldn't begin formal pre-school any younger than this age, because children should have appropriate time for physical, emotional and cognitive growth before beginning school. During that time before you start pre-school, you can read to him, using picture books, introducing colors and counting aloud, working on small motor control activities like threading oversized buttons, and providing time for scribbling and coloring. It's a little early for formal schooling, but you can see with time, that ample exposure to these activities will help ensure his readiness for pre-school.

If you find that as you introduce books into his life, and he is excited about learning how to read, then it would be fine to teach him the basic letter sounds and names. Some children have learned their ABC's simply because the parents read to them every night before bed. I guarantee that constant exposure to books and words, will help him learn his letters and sounds in a gentle and very easy way.

When he is ready for pre-school and if you are using the lesson plans created by CHC, you can follow the suggested activities as listed with the Little Stories for Little Folks phonics program, which includes teaching letters and their sounds and then progresses to actual reading. When completing these activities, if you find that your child is not yet ready for them, you can set them aside for later. However, if you find that your child accomplishes the activities with ease, then you can go ahead in the school year.

During the pre-school and kindergarten years, your child will not be doing much paper and pencil work and actual textbook activities. The activities you will be following with your child encourage exploration of his environment, hands-on activities practicing small and large motor control, and lessons involving all the senses.

God bless you and your family!

Laura Nicholson

   
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