How To Teach Kindergarten At Home
Phew, what a couple of weeks it has been. My thoughts and prayers to out to everyone, stay healthy, safe, and home.
With the events of the Coronavirus pandemic, so many of us have had to accommodate a different schedule and lifestyle to incorporate “at home” learning for our children. For parents of kindergarteners, this means you are trying to figure out how to teach kindergarten at home.
Yes, districts are implementing distance learning to be sure students grow and meet certain academic standards at the end of the school year. This is going to look different everywhere. Currently, I am trying to implement distance learning with my four-year-old in preschool. It is NOT as easy as it sounds, and I am a teacher!
Many factors play into teaching children (abilities, interests, weaknesses, thoughts, family situations, etc.) and understanding each child’s situation is front and foremost. In this post, I am giving you tips and strategies for teaching kindergarten at home.
How To Teach Kindergarten At Home
Create A Schedule
And be flexible! Is your child more attentive in the morning, afternoon, or evening? Do you want to stick to the typical school schedule and begin at the same time in the morning?
Also, children will do better when they know what to expect. Show them the schedule and after each task is completed, cross it off or cover it up on the schedule.
You can also write each part of the day on a sticky note, and remove the sticky note from a board, wall or table once complete.
Prepare The Day
Look at any resources your child’s teacher has given you, and plan the day. Be sure to have any manipulatives, writing tools or supplies set and ready to go.
This will save time and distractions by not having to gather items during lessons.
Schedule In Breaks
For an adult, approximately every 20 minutes the brain needs a break. I’m sure we can all think of times when we just needed to take our mind off of something for a bit in order to concentrate. For a kindergartener, breaks will be needed much more often, and more so now that they are learning in a different setting. See what your child can do, how long they can hold their attention to a task, and their behaviors as they lose interest.
This may start as doing one small task, and then earning a break. Below are two of my favorite brain breaks to use with my kids.
GoNoodle– You can get a free account!
Cosmic Yoga– my son does this in preschool, the downward dog is his specialty!
Devise Incentives
Incentives go a long way!
This may look like a sticker chart, breaks, earning, helping to wash dishes, color part of a picture, ANYTHING that can help to motivate your child.
Have your child complete a task, then earn a break. As your child becomes comfortable with this, begin to increase the tasks before the incentive. Build up the stamina to work for longer periods of time. Start small and work your way up.
Create Designated Place For Learning
Set up a table or desk in an area with limited distractions. If your child can see their toys, TV, window, or anything that can take their attention, either move the items or choose another designated area. Having a designated workplace will help remind them when it is work time and when it is break time.
Products That May Be Helpful
A visual timer helps children put time into perspective and may help with timing working and breaks.
Whiteboard and dry erase marker. Just use a sock or cloth as an eraser.
A privacy shield helps to keep distractions away, especially with more than one child working in one area. Cardboard or folders work for this as well!
Most Importantly, Show Understanding
In your child’s eyes, you are still their parent, not their teacher. This is an adjustment, no only for parents taking on the role of teaching, but also for children. The classroom they know and feel safe learning in is no longer their learning environment. Show that you understand this is difficult for them and going to be an adjustment, and understand if they are having a hard time.
Children have different abilities, interests, weaknesses, thoughts, family situations, and I can go on. The goal is to help EACH child at their own level and capitalize on each one’s interests. Maybe that means in math your child is counting legos rather than pictures on a worksheet. Capitalize on your child’s interests.
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How To Teach Kindergarten At Home – Summary
I hope that this post is helpful in helping how to teach kindergarten at home. Please, email me amanda@sparklinginprimary.com with any questions or if you think of a way that I can help.
A while back I posted a free classroom management workbook and guide. It is an editable PDF, so it does not need to be printed unless you choose to. This may help you think through how you are running your “home classroom”. It is free so there is nothing to lose! Grab it below.
Talk soon, friend!