My wife and I wish to start homeschooling our 3 yr old who is already a little behind where do we start?

Question

we live on a pipeline in a travel trailer and move around alot, but both of us love our child and want him to be "up to speed" before he starts school

Answer 1

With both of my sons,we would pick a shape,a color, a letter and a number for each week and that is our focus, reading to him for 15 min. each day, trips to the library are great for this, allow him to pick the books, and ask open ended questions to get feedback. Preschool workbooks are great to do as well, or use print outs from on line sources, for cutting, coloring and pasting projects. i also have cookie cutters in shapes letter and numbers, or you could use pretzel dough for this as well, or play dough, all great table work. Just talk to him and make it fun, and interactive. Sing lots of songs, ABC's 123's all the nursery rhymes etc. Learning through song is the best.
Here are a few websites you may want to visit with the little one
starfall.com
mothergoose.com
paulysplayhouse.com
schoolexpress.com
primarygames.com
familyeducation.com
readlesson.com
fisher-price,com
dltk-kids,com
kinderstart.com
kidsfreeware.com
bbc.co.uk/cbeebies
bbc.co.uk/schools

Answer 2

This is an interesting way of putting your situation. First, 3 yr olds aren't home schooled. They live at home and their parents teach them the basics that they need to know. Second, how can a 3 yr old be behind? He/she is doing fine if you are working with them on the basic building block of knowledge (i.e., how to get along with others, what letters are, counting to 10, left and right hands). Too many have set an unrealistic time frame for how much children should learn and when they should learn it. In the end, it is proving to have little benefit in the children's knowledge and causing a lot of stress along the way.

Answer 3

It sounds as if you are going to place your child in public school when he is old enough for kindergarden, you are just wanting to teach him the basics now so he is not behind the other children. I would suggest contacting the school he will be attending and finding out what they require him to know before entrance. Of course you can teach him above and beyond the minimum, teach him what ever his little heart desires; but as long as you have the bare essentials the school requires then they should expect to teach him further.

Answer 4

You decide what you want him to learn and you make a point to teach it to him.

What do you mean by him being already behind? Does he have verbal issues and needs therapy?

3yo's don't know much academically usually. They should be able to speak and be understood. They should know how to count a little (up to 5 or something like that is considered the minimum). They should know their basic colours. Most of their play involves learning to use those big and small muscles.

And at what point will he be starting school?

Answer 5

He could not possibly be behind because there is not criteria for three year olds. A three year old has to learn at their own pace. Turn everything into a lesson. If a leaf falls, turn it into a science lesson showing him the veins, tell him how photosynthesis works in simple english and make life a lesson. Don't measure him against a standard because kids are all different. Especially at three years old.

Answer 6

How behind could he be at 3? Educational videos are helpful. Alphabet, numbers, colors and shapes are the best way to start. In Pre-K they review all of this again (your child will be between 4 and 5 depending on your state).

Answer 7

In my experience I have just let my daughter lead me. She is 5 years old and missed the school year b/c her birthday was after the start date. I have not pressured her into learning anything, she just learned most things by watching me and her father, playing/learning in a natural environment, and asking a lot of questions. I challenge her, without forcing her to learn, by giving her books to read, coloring/activity books, computer games, etc that are a little above her age level ......she knows just as much, if not more than her peers who started school this year. It's also amazing what they can learn from videos......my daughter knows words in Spanish and Sign Language, thanks to Dora and Baby Einstein! :) Good luck and remember most importantly, just LOVE and enjoy your child.....they are only this age once!!

Answer 8

Education is part of daily life, as a mom of three year old myself I would say, buy things that have ABC's and numbers on them you need anyway like placemats and clothes, read to him all the time, and watch children's educational programs with him on your local PBS station. Give him crayons, washable markers, and other toys that encourgage him to draw and write. Do not push anything but try to see what he enjoys. I would encourage you to look on the web for bench marks of development, like counting, dressing, and potty training, and of course chat with your child's doctor. Good Luck. Also, toddler reading time at a local library would be a good idea so he can react with other children in his age group. Mostly, like play with him and listen to what he has to say! Also, a trip to the zoo is a great idea too!

Cheers,

Lady Webmaster

Answer 9

Starting with the basics is good (the alphabet, animal recognition, letter recognition, letter writing etc.) You can also consult your local Board of Education to find out what the child would be learning/should know at this age.

Answer 10

I have been homeschooling for 5 years and have read a fair share of "do's and don'ts"; you definitely don't want to push a 3 year old into school learning!!!!!!!! There's way too much natural learning to be done FIRST!!! Let your child lead you.... they will tell you when they're ready in their own special way. There's a book out about stress-free homeschooling that will support this statement; if you can get ahold of it, it'll save you YEARS of frustration for you and your child.