Over the last few decades, preschool has become a routine part of childhood in our culture. However, kids learn many important lessons and life skills outside of formal academics in the early years. You can provide a preschool education without traditional curriculum, and you probably already are. Here’s how.

They Learn Through Play in Preschool

Provide ample opportunity for your child to play and explore the world around them. Beth Vick, Director of Special Education at Penfield Children’s Center, explains how parents can promote cognitive development through play,

“Cognitive development refers to the way in which a child learns, solves problems, acquires knowledge about the surrounding environment and increases the ability to interact with it.”

We can easily promote cognitive development through play by using pots and pans, measuring spoons, mirrors, clothing, and even egg cartons, just everyday items we have around our house already.

Also, give your child toys that encourage imagination, like Legos, Lincoln Logs, blocks, magnetic tiles, play clothes, Play-Doh, dolls, and prop toys (like play food, toy kitchen items, toy doctors kit, etc.).

I think we parents tend to underestimate the power of play in our young child’s life. Play, not just with traditional toys or electronics, but good old-fashioned creative play where the child gets to explore the function and mimic our use of items they see us use every day. Psychologist Penelope Leach clarifies this,

“For a small child, there is no division between playing and learning; between the things he or she does ‘just for fun’ and things that are ‘educational.’ The child learns while living, and any part of living that is enjoyable is also play.”

Read to Your Child

Read to your child . . a lot! Read to them before naptime and before bed at night. Read to them while waiting at the doctor’s office. Create a special time to snuggle with your child and read to them each day. However and whenever you do it, ensure that reading to your child is part of your daily routine.

Studies show that reading to your child has many benefits, among them are:

• Develops their brains
• Supports Cognitive Development
• Expands Vocabulary
• Enhances Listening Skills & Increases Attention Span
• Strengthens Bond

There are so many benefits of reading to your child, but I feel that the most important benefit is that it strengthens the bond between you and your child. That alone makes the time spent totally worth it!

Daily Activities

Involve them in your daily activities. Take them to the bank, store, or post office with you. Let your child help in the kitchen as you bake cookies or empty the dishwasher. Young children are often eager to help Mom or Dad move clothes from the washer to the dryer and then fold and put them away.

They can help pull weeds and rake leaves, or help carry in groceries and assist in putting them away. Young kids love to be involved. Just keep it on their level, and don’t expect perfection.

Enrichment Preschool Activities

Provide enrichment activities, such as arts and crafts, music, exploring the great outdoors, etc. Go on field trips to the park, zoo, aquariums, petting zoo, farm, swimming pool, and so forth. Go on hikes, and bike rides, catch tadpoles, collect rocks, trace leaves, and start a nature journal.

You’re probably already doing many of these activities with your preschool-age child, and they are learning important lessons and skills. There is no need to rush academics; there will be plenty of time for that later.

Instead, give them the time to think, create, play, and explore while they are young, and you will cultivate a love of learning that will last a lifetime!

To learn more, including the best time to introduce formal academics, listen to the Military Homeschool Podcast, Episode #15- Homeschooling Preschool.