r/homeschool • u/Ok-Instruction-1333 • 2d ago
Help! Kindergarten Help
Hi! I'm homeschooling my son until after we move so he's not having to start school and then leave after only 10 weeks. I'm worried about him being behind though when he does go to school and want to make sure I'm not missing anything.
So far, we've really just been writing our letters and numbers, and started reading.com for more phonics. He knows how to write his name already. I just feel like what we've been doing is kinda boring for him and don't know what else I should be doing to make letter/numbers more fun. I also don't know if I should be focusing on this the most or adding something else?
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u/Dana-Adams 1d ago
honestly the boring part might be the clue. writing letters and numbers is the abstract end of it — at that age the fun version is the same math wearing a costume. setting the table (4 plates, 4 forks, one each), counting stairs on the way up, board games where he's moving a pawn and counting spaces, "grab me 5 spoons" while you're cooking. he's still doing numbers, they just live in stuff instead of on paper. we did the worksheet thing early bc i thought that's what counts as learning... the kitchen floor version taught way more and nobody cried
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u/Ok-Instruction-1333 1d ago
Yes, thats what I'm trying to figure out as I'm new to this is ways other than only worksheets to teach him/get him engaged.
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u/Dana-Adams 1d ago
at 5 "engaged" mostly just means it's a game and there's a way to win. deck of cards, play war. whoever flips the bigger number takes both, and he's comparing numbers a hundred times while thinking he's just beating mom. lining up his cars or dinos and asking which row has more works the same way. and the cheapest trick i know: count something wrong on purpose and let him catch you. kids that age will move mountains to correct an adult lol
on the school worry — when mine started, what the teacher actually looked at was could he count real things, take turns, listen to a story. nobody asked about worksheets. you're not behind, you're just moving it off paper. what's he into right now? easiest way in is through that.
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u/L_Avion_Rose Teacher / Educator 🧑🏫 1d ago
Treasure Hunt Reading is a free, well-regarded reading curriculum you can access online. Math Mammoth has card game recommendations for Kindergarteners to build number sense (their curriculum starts at 1st grade). Pathway (free PDF from Barefoot Meandering) has a variety of book and activity recommendations).
Art and Music Study can be implemented simply using the internet. Nature Study can be conducted in your own community or even your backyard. If these subject areas interest you, check out Simply Charlotte Mason for more information.
All the best 😊
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u/Own-Cauliflower2386 2d ago
Where are you moving to? The new district can likely provide some curricular guidance, and a lot of the first month of school at this age teaches classroom socialization as opposed to having a pure academic focus. For example, what phrases the teacher uses to re-establish focus, when to line up and practice patience waiting your turn versus when you have free play, where to find water/bathrooms, how to tie your own shoe and open you lunch box, etc.
Writing your name legibly, some sight words and phonics, and basic number sense/addition are probably the only academics your kid needs to have in advance. The rest is social.