Ready, Steady, Kindergarten: Learning at Home

When you're home with your young children, how can you keep them learning and growing and getting ready for Kindergarten? 

First of all, take a deep breath, and don’t worry about creating a lesson plan! Young children learn best through play and positive relationships with those who love and care for them, so if you’re reading together, having conversations, playing together and taking time to get outside, you’re doing just fine! Allie at No Time for Flash Cards has this great post on how to get your child ready for Kindergarten and it includes many of the things you’re already doing., opens a new window 

If your child thrives on a schedule and you’d like ideas for how to create one, here are some schedule ideas:

• PBS Kids helps you make a schedule, opens a new window 
• No Time For Flashcards PreK-K schedule, opens a new window 
• A daily schedule, opens a new window from The Busy Toddler

If you're looking for simple learning activities and lessons that can be done from home, here are some great ideas: 

• Scholastic Learn at Home, opens a new window has a short lesson for each day, including online books and activities to do together. 
• No Time For Flash Cards, opens a new window has lots of great free activities.
• PBS Kids Learn and Grow, opens a new window
• Prepare a preschool at home, opens a new window with Life Over C’s. 
• The National Association for the Education of Young Children tells you how to create 10 simple mini learning centers, opens a new window at home. 
• Bright By Text, opens a new window will text activity ideas and developmental information for children 0 to 8 years old. 
• Not all of these are appropriate for pre-k kids, but here is a list of 100 education companies offering free subscription to their online apps and tools., opens a new window Khan Academy Kids, opens a new window is one of them.
• Vroom provides free, research-based activities that help to build a young child's brain. Activities are geared for specific ages and can help get your little learner ready for the classroom.

Remember that kids learn best through interaction with people and their environment. Encourage conversation, spark curiosity, and don't forget that every moment is a learning opportunity.