How do you structure a kindergartner's day?

Question

I began homeschooling my 4-year-old last September. So far we've been pretty casual. I didn't want to push the academics too hard. We've been doing about an hour a day, each day doing a different subject. Some of those days are Art or Music, so it doesn't feel like "school." Even on Math days, we'll play math games for an hour, so it's still pretty casual.

After evaluating my son's growth over the past few months, I've realized that he is reading almost at the end of a first grade level, and has math skills are also approaching 2nd grade levels. I feel like he might need a little more. (Not necessairily in academics, but in enrichment or socialization, etc.) I was just wondering what other homeschooled kindergarten's days look like. How structured are they? How much "school" do they do? How consistant are you from day to day?

Answer 1

My son too was ahead of his grade level in reading and math. His only weak spot was and is handwriting. I think his mind moves faster than his hand and it is frustrating. But we are working on it.

For Kindergarten we started adding more structure. We started working more at a desk and actually calling it school for things like writing and some worksheets. More than one subject per day, but still only a few hours. We also started adding some new responsibilities at home. He could help unload the dishwasher, sort the dirty clothes, put some of his clean clothes away (mostly socks and underwear at first), helping make his bed, and bathing himself (with supervision to make sure he doesn't forget soap!).

The biggest thing that I would say if your son is ahead, is keep challenging him. Don't push him if something is hard but keep him going. You don't want him to become bored or complacent. A lot of times kids who are very smart have a difficult time continuing if something is the least bit challenging because most things come so easy.

For socialization I don't know your lifestyle, but you need to find some activities that expose him to people of all ages and different situations. Some examples are sports teams or lessons, piano lessons, mothers day out, home school group activities like park days, play dates with neighborhood children, Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, Awanas, childrens chior, or classes at the museum or local pottery store. If you put your child in one or two of these activities and see that he is having trouble then I would really focus on this, adding different activities until he has a strong comfort level. If your child is like mine and naturally is out going, would talk to a tree and know how interact with just about anyone then I would keep one or two regular activities, but not stress about it too much.

You want your child to know that they can always talk to you, always count on you to love them and do what is best for them, but you never want them feeling insecure dealing with others.

Answer 2

My ds is grade 1 now and we do up to an hour each day (an hour a day for grade 1 is a common recommendation, even from the principal of a school here which oversees homeschoolers), sometimes he'll spend more time of his own volition on other stuff. Then he's pretty much free to do what he wants--this may be playing, drawing, colouring, lookin g through books, playing outside... Other than that, we got to a weekly homeschoolers' park day and when the weather's nice, will go on our own or set up a play date with another family to go to the park again, we go to the library usually once a week, we go on field trips every few weeks--recreation centres to go swimming and skating, or other things like science centre or historical places--and he'll be starting swimming lessons soon.

So, my son's days are not very structured, but at his age and with his personality, it works best that way. Our afternoons are completely flexible and that's when we do things like the library, field trips, park visits, etc. Even errands--great for kids to learn the ins and outs of daily adult life and to help.

Answer 3

Congratulations on the great job you are doing with your son. Socialization is the biggest question for home schooled children. At the age of 4 sports may not be an option, but set up play dates with other children in the area. Let them "play" while you and the other parents discuss strategies. Another option is just take a morning and go to a museum, or zoo. As he gets older get him involved in something a sport, martial arts or an instrument any thing to broaden his view of the world.
Best of Luck

Answer 4

Please, don't worry about structure! That is not what is important. I'm a homeschooled 12 year old. My mom didn't bother with curriculam for me till I was eight. I've skipped a grade, and I'm still Average or even Above Average in that!

We have a friend who did kindergarten with her kids for 4 HOURS every day! I don't think that is necessery, but nonetheless, those kids are super smart!

So it's up to you and your kid to figure out what works. Good luck!

Answer 5

Kindergartner' don't need much structure. My mom homeschooled all her kids, and for kindergarten, she would just let them "do school" when they wanted to. They were much more productive when they did sit down and work, because they wanted to. Having older siblings helps provide encouragement to the younger ones to do school, because they want to be like the big kids.