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Most homeschool moms are able to adapt quickly to teaching their
school-aged children. They research curriculum, make a schedule,
pull together chosen resources, and get busy. They realize that
the basic subjects must be covered, and they usually create a guideline
or follow a scope and sequence to stay on track.
But what about toddlers and preschoolers who also want to get
involved or "do school" with their older siblings? What about their
education? What is the balance between too much or perhaps not
enough? Of course, every homeschool mom has her own ideas and philosophy
concerning her little learners, and there is no right way or wrong
approach or a one-size-fits-all plan.
For families who desire more guidance for this age group, homeschool
veteran and former preschool teacher Susan Lemons has created a
resource that is sure to become a handbook for home preschool education
for years to come. Homepreschool and Beyond: A Comprehensive
Guide to Early Home Education is a 295+ page, soft cover
book that is full of great ideas and information--very comprehensive!
The academic content is built on a developmental/literature approach
and can be used to teach 3 to 8-year-olds.
The author covers the following topics:
Part I: The Basics
• Homepreschool?
• Teaching Through Parenting
• Discipline
• The Importance of Readiness
• The Importance
of Routine
Part II : All About Books
• Teaching Through Reading Aloud
• Better
Than Captain Underpants: Choosing Good Books
• Book Lists:
Preschool Through Grade School
Part III: Skills
An Important Note about Skill Lists
• Family and Life
Skills
• Goals of Spiritual Development
• Speech
and Listening Skills
• Cognition and Memory Skills
• Pre-Reading
and Pre-Writing Skills
• Early Math Skills
• Physical Development
• Learning Science
• Social Studies
• Music
• Arts and Crafts
• Holidays and Traditions
Part IV: Games and Play
• The Power of Play
• Playful Learning Activities
• Learning games
Part V: Curriculum and Methods
• Why I Flunked Kindergarten--and Why Your Child
Doesn't Have To
• Choosing and Using Curriculum--First Grade
and Up
• Homeschooling Methods and Resources
• Keeping
Preschoolers Busy While Teaching Older Children
Appendices
• Recommended Resources for Parents
• Making
the Decision to Homeschool Beyond Preschool
• Worried
About What Your Children Are Missing?
• "The Battle for
Our Children's Minds"
Mrs. Lemons does indeed provide tons of information and a plethora
of excellent resources to give parents an overview of methods and
curriculums, guidance, a framework for planning, and lots of ideas.
Her philosophy of homepreschool (and homeschooling in general)
mirrors my own. She states:
Our children are learning all the time, whether we are aware
of it or not. Homepreschooling parents simply take advantage
of this fact and choose to embrace a lifestyle of learning--consciously
deciding to take advantage of those "teachable" moments. Life
itself is the very best curriculum for preschoolers.
I couldn't agree more! In my opinion, Homepreschool and Beyond is
an awesome resource, and I'm glad to have this book on my shelf
to use with my two youngest children. Highly recommended!
Product review by Amy M. O'Quinn, The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine,
LLC, November 2010
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