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Dear Mom, You are experienced in homeschooling, already, if you taught your older children, from elementary ages to their high school years. Your questions about your preschool aged son are good ones. Regardless of your three year old's next birthday, I would suggest beginning preschool curricula, next school year. If he is turning four in a week, then he will be excited to explore preschool material next September, and will be ahead of the game. As his educator, you may certainly combine the preschool material with kindergarten material if your son becomes bored. If your son turns four this winter or next spring, then next school year will still be a great time to begin preschool. You won't have to worry about pushing kindergarten too early. That being said, consider "preschool material." Everyone looks at preschool differently. I believe a good preschool program does not push phonics, addition/subtraction, and higher knowledge concepts. If the material is child friendly I am not overly concerned about a child's age when they are entering preschool. The Catholic Heritage Curricula description of Preschool explains age appropriate material in a lovely manner. Preschool is about discovering "the beauty of God's creation, [time] for daily ready-alouds, consistent character training, and fun exploration of new concepts and challenges." Young children learn through play and activity. The process of what they create and learn about is more important than the product. Whatever age you choose to introduce preschool to your children, remember to keep it light and enjoyable. If your children are yearning for more academics you may begin kindergarten material early, but there is no need to rush. CHC offers lesson plans for Preschool-Kindergarten. Since you began teaching your older children after eight years old, I assume you haven't needed to explore these plans. Take a look at them. These plans are fun, yet they build character. The best part about these plans is that when your soon to be four year old is ready to learn Kindergarten concepts, you can gradually move into the Kindergarten plans. A final thought about your toddler. You have a lovely variety of ages in your home, and this will be your first time teaching a preschooler/kindergartner with a toddler "underfoot." I find that my days go well if I teach at different times of the day, based on my toddler's schedule. In the morning, I keep my toddler with me while I am teaching. She is nursing, or playing in an exersaucer, or crawling around in the same room with us while I read with my older children. Later, in the day, my older children take turns watching my toddler while I teach new concepts or instruct their little brother (kindergarten age). Finally, during my toddler's nap or after her bedtime, I take another half hour to finish up our academics. Whatever works well for your toddler, will work well for your family. Let your older children enjoy your youngest. As you have probably already discovered, your older children usually come up with better toddler activities than Mom and Dad. Isn't it marvelous how much your little ones are already learning through picture books, play, and siblings? I will pray that your whole family will enjoy and appreciate them as they begin to learn about God's world. Blessings to you and yours, Julia Johnson |