It is in your home where your precious ones begin learning that is why it is important for every parent to balance the playtime and educational time of their children. Homeschooling activities allow every parent to educate their child comfortably and at their own pace. In fact, much homeschooling happens during the first four years of a child.[1] So, if you want to make homeschooling fun and interactive, reading this article will help you find the best activities that will fit your little ones.
Tips when Doing Homeschooling Activities for 4 Years Old
Doing homeschooling is way more effective when you think of activities properly. Here are some important points you may want to consider if you want to homeschool your child:
Lesson Plans
Just like what a teacher does, create your lesson plan. You may want to use a lesson plan book as it will make planning easier for you. Additionally, creating a lesson plan will reduce the stress of having to think of new activities after the first one.[2] When you create a lesson plan, fill it up with creative and fantastic ideas.
| Pros | Cons |
| Interior layout is cute and attractiveHandyGreat quality and durable | Some pages are dark |
Subjects
Prioritize the subjects you want your 4-year-olds to learn. It is important to understand your child’s development when you want to homeschool them as this will help you come up with suitable activities that fit their age and development.
Schedule
Personally, I recommend you to not put pressured schedules on your lesson plan. You can create a schedule but make it flexible. Do not consider your lessons as a schedule but consider them as a checklist. Do not worry if sometimes, you ran out of time for a certain subject. It is fine! Lastly, remember that play is important so let your 4 years old enjoy it! There are two types of homeschooling schedules: Gentler schedule – the schedule with lots of breaks (perfect for less active children) and; busier schedule – for older children (for more active ones).
Be Patient and Confident
Patience and calmness are two main characteristics needed when homeschooling a 4-year-old.[3] Your child may make you lose your temper but as much as possible, still communicate properly about what you both are doing. Additionally, this also means being patient with your child’s development.
Play to Your Strengths
Of course, we are not all-knowing: there are things we are not that much capable of doing and there are some that we are experts of. However, we can focus more on the things we are expert of and we can search about the things we do not know. Also, it is important to play to our child’s strength. We must focus on their needs and personality as this will make them less confused and enjoy homeschooling more!
How to Develop Homeschooling Activities for 4 Years Old
When you want your child to start doing homeschooling activities, you must ask yourself: What do you want your 4-yaer-old to learn? How many hours do I have to teach them? By asking these two questions will help you lessen the stress on your mind and it will make you more productive. Additionally, asking these two questions will help you figure out the best activities you can teach to them. To put it simply, set your goals.
Benefits of Doing Homeschooling Activities for 4 Years Old
Everything is based on your choice
Homeschooling your 4-year-old allows you to choose what you want your child to learn and how you want them to learn. Additionally, your child will be able to learn a lot of things in a real-life experience!
More family time
Of course, as you homeschool your 4-year-old, you get to bond more with them. Bonding with them is a bonus!
Your schedule
Homeschooling your 4-year-old also allows you to have your own routine and schedule. If you know you are busy and are unavailable, you are able to reschedule.
Homeschooling Language and Literature Activities for 4 Years Old
1. Letter of the Week Preschool Curriculum
This activity teaches mainly about the alphabet. It can be used for 26 weeks and it already includes lesson plans for parents who do not want to create one. This activity will surely help your child recognize the alphabet!
| Pros | Cons |
| Includes capital and small lettersEnhances motor skillsInclude phonics lessons | It is like a photocopied book |
2. Sight and Sound Reading Curriculum
This activity can be used for 120 days and it actually reinforces a child’s reading skills. It teaches phonics, spelling, punctuation, and comprehension.
| Pros | Cons |
| Includes lessons about punctuation, spelling, and comprehensionColored version | Pricey compared to the black and white edition |
This product also comes with a black and white edition but personally, I recommend the colorful edition as it will attract and encourage a child more.
| Pros | Cons |
| Includes lessons about punctuation, spelling, and comprehensionCheaper | Black and white only |
3. Bob Books
Bob books are great tools in preparing your 4-year-olds how to read. The words on these books are short and the sentences are simple which is perfect for starters. So, if you want to build your child’s confidence in reading, this one is the best option for you.
| Pros | Cons |
| Comes with a complete set of books | Complete set is pricey but more practical |
4. Before Five in a Row
This book teaches literacy through adventure. It is designed for 2 to 4 year olds and buying it is feels like buying an all-in-one! It includes social studies, language, art, literature, math and science. Also, the lessons include guide, questions, answer keys, and suggestions.
| Pros | Cons |
| Perfect for 4 years oldMore activities | PriceyLess suggestions |
5. My First Book of Uppercase Letters
Workbooks are great when doing homeschooling activities and personally, I recommend you to start with uppercase letters.
| Pros | Cons |
| AffordableStep by step approachComes with a certificate of completion | Little space for writing |
My First Book of Lowercase Letters
After the uppercase letters, lowercase letters follow. This product is the lowercase version of the product above it.
| Pros | Cons |
| AffordableStep by step approachComes with a certificate of completion | Little space for writing |
Religious Homeschooling Activities for 4 Years Old
6. God’s Little Explorer: Christian Preschool Curriculum
This activity may be used for a long period of 28 weeks and it teaches a child about the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. This curriculum is made of four parts: Bible adventure – reading Bible stories, singing, and doing related arts; Theme adventure – exploration of arts, science projects, and cooking; ABC and 123 – introduction of alphabet, colors, shapes, and numbers; Life skills – teaching of chores and manners.
| Pros | Cons |
| 28 week journeyComes with four partsAffordable | You need to get the printed edition |
7. ABC Jesus Loves Me: Early Childhood Curriculum
This program can be used by children ages 1-5. It teaches about the Bible, sign language, alphabet, and numbers. Indeed, it does not just teaches about religion but it also teaches educational subjects especially for 4-years-old who are about to enter kindergarten.
| Pros | Cons |
| Perfect for 4 years oldFlexibleDoes not require too much active play | Not perfect for active kids |
8. The Jesus Storybook Bible: Every Story Whispers His Name
You can use this activity as your starter. You may want to include it after or before breakfast and you can also use it as a way of teaching memorization and spelling to your little ones. Additionally, you can use this activity for meditation.
| Pros | Cons |
| DurableEasy to teachEasy to comprehend | Kind of pricey |
Nature and Science Homeschooling Activities for 4 Years Old
9. Bug Hunt
This activity is perfect for children who are fans of animals. It encourages a child’s curiosity and your child may ask you different questions about a bug’s color, number of legs, and characteristics! For this reason, it is better to research about facts so that you have something to answer your child’s questions.
10. Leaf Catalog
You may want to cut out the leaves on this product and do some hunting with your 4-year-olds. Doing this activity will not just educate your little ones but will also help them become fit. Just like the bug hunt, your child may ask you a lot of questions so you have to research as well.
11. What’s Under the Grass?
This activity is more like a treasure hunting activity which enhances a child’s curiosity and imagination. This activity will keep your child busy by digging in the ground. After digging, your child will be able to find some objects under the grass.
12. What Do You Hear?
If you want a quiet time during your day, this homeschooling activity is perfect for you. It is a simple activity where you and your child will go out and listen quietly to the sounds you hear. List with your child the sounds you heard and figure them out together. Doing this will surely increase your bond!
13. Gardening
Back then, we used to do gardening during preschool and I still remember how wonderful that experience is! You may want to considering this activity with your child as this will not just teach them about the gardening itself but it will also teach them about nutrition, insects, and weather! You can use this kid-shovel for a funnier experience!
| Pros | Cons |
| Easy storageNo sharp edgesHandles are perfect for a 4-year-old’s handAffordable | The screw may loosen sometime |
Math Homeschooling Activities for 4 Years Old
14. Shape Hunt
You may want to use shapes and scatter them all over you backyard. Allow your child then to do some hunting! This will encourage your child’s curiosity and motor skills. Additionally, it will make them enjoy homeschooling more! You can use this
| Pros | Cons |
| Comes with a set of 8Easy to cleanBig sizeComes with a bag | Cleaning it means washing them using a washing machine and there is a need to dry them |
15. Math Posters
Math posters are perfect tools when you want to homeschool your 4-year-olds. Personally, I recommend them as they can also be used by your child even when you are not doing homeschooling. Also, I personally think that wall charts increases the chance for a child to master what is written on them.
| Pros | Cons |
| Comes with a set of tenNot messy in the eyesAffordable | May be destroyed when they get wet because they are not laminated |
16. Foot-long Worms
This activity only requires you clay and a ruler. For the clay, I personally, recommend the play-doh brand as it is not that messy to use. For this activity, all you have to do is to make worm-like creatures and measure them. This does not just enhance your child’s skills but also enhances his or her motor skills and imagination!
| Pros | Cons |
| Non-toxicComes with 36 assorted colorsEasy to openRecyclable cans | The clay hardens if the can is not closed |
17. Shopkeeper
This activity is a play-pretend one. It teaches about counting and about money, too! Doing this activity will help your child practice their numbers.
| Pros | Cons |
| Solar-poweredRealisticComes with play money | Kind of pricey but worth it |
Art-Related Homeschooling Activities for 4 Years Old
18. Painting
Painting activities are great as well especially for kids who are fans of arts and crafts. Personally, I think that training or exposing your little ones to activities like this will allow them to become more enthusiastic and creative person.
| Pros | Cons |
| Comes in a complete setComes with a bagComes with a waterproof overall | The brush are not that sturdy |
19. Coloring Books
Coloring books are practical options during homeschooling and these books will reuly interest your child. They do not just enhance their motor skills when they use this product but they also enhance their creativity and imagination. Additionally, they get to learn about colors while they enjoy!
| Pros | Cons |
| OversizedComes with 224 pagesSimple textComes with guided activitiesPaper quality is great | Pages are not perforated |
20. Puppet Plays
Puppet plays are actually innovative homeschooling activities and personally, I find them great ways to increase the bond of a parent and a child. Also, puppet plays allow a child to generate his or her own dialogue.
| Pros | Cons |
| Comes with a pack of 6Easy to cleanEncourages active, imaginative play | Somehow pricey |
21. The Never Bored Kid Book
This book has lots of art pages and it will surely keep your 4-year-old busy while doing his or her homeschool activities. It includes cut outs, colors, matching activities, gluing, and folding papers. It also comes with a 2nd version for older kids.
| Pros | Cons |
| InteractiveFun to useComes with different activities | Kind of pricey |
Outdoor Homeschooling Activities for 4 Years Old
22. Wish Upon a Star
This outdoor activity is also science related. Doing it will never cause you a single cent! All you have to do is to lie on your backs and watch the beauty of the stars. You may want to teach your child about constellations and the wonder of nature while watching the stars peacefully. In doing this activity, you may want to use these binoculars to make the experience more fun!
| Pros | Cons |
| HD viewSharper imageComes with a tripodEasy to carry and storeEasy to assemble | The tripod is small |
23. Bubble Science
This is not about the ready-made bubbles but it is about creating one! Allow your child to mix the ingredients in order to make great bubble soap! This will not just excite them more about playing it but it will also interest them on science and experimentation!
| Pros | Cons |
| Comes with a complete setIncludes recipes and instructionsEnvironment-friendlyAffordable | Cannot make other bubble shapes other than cicle |
24. Obstacle Course
You will never go wrong with this activity as your child will surely love it! Adding obstacle courses in your homeschooling activities do not just educate your child but also encourage them to playa actively. Also, they do not just enhance their motor skills but they also learn how to be brave and more independent.
| Pros | Cons |
| Comes with 6 piecesSafe to useNon-slipSurfaces are smooth | Kind of pricey |
Toys That You Can Use When Doing Homeschooling Activities for 4 Years Old
25. Coogam Wooden Shape Color Sorting Clock
Personally, I find this toy a very educational one because it does not just focus on shapes and colors but also teaches your little one how to read the time properly. Indeed, it is a very neat and simple toy but it is full of lessons especially time concept.
| Pros | Cons |
| Child-safe paintSmooth edgesAffordable | The shapes may get lost as it does not come with a storage bag |
26. Children’s Wood Building Block Set
Using this can increase your child’s motor skills and they will think of studying as a fun thing to do! So, if you want your child to enjoy homeschooling, you may want to add these toys on your lesson plan.
| Pros | Cons |
| Made from BPA-free materialsSmooth surfacePerfectly suited for the hands of 4-year-olds | Getting them wet may damage them |
27. The Learning Journey Counting Puzzle
I found my 2-year-old enjoying cartoon and animal puzzles and I got an idea from this! I tried using a counting/number puzzle and my child really had fun! It was easier for me to introduce numbers to him and at the same time, I found him truly interacting with me!
| Pros | Cons |
| 30 puzzle pairsSturdyEasy to useAffordable | Getting them wet may damage them |
Finals Thoughts
Indeed, doing homeschooling activities with a 4-year-old will surely test your patience and parenting abilities. The first thing you must have is the Planners Gonna Plan. If you are still unprepared, here are my top picks per category: BOB Books, God’s Little Explorers, Gardening Tools Set, Educational Insights Shapes Beanbags, , Binoculars for Kids, and Coogam Wooden Shape Color Sorting Clock.
FAQs
How do I homeschool my 4-year-old?
Consider doing a play-based learning when you want to homeschool your 4-year-old child. Prioritize what matters most and create a flexible, gentle, and easy schedule.
What should a 4-year old know before starting school?
Listening and following to instructions, communicating regarding their needs, understands and retell stories, alphabet, numbers, and basic shapes and colors are some of the things a 4-year-old must know before starting school.
What is a good homeschool schedule?
A gentle schedule is perfect for 4-years-old. Start your child working at 8:30 in the morning and have them get their breaks every after activity. After lunch, go with arts and science courses as it is during this hour where sleepy heads will start to say hello.
[1] Isenberg, Eric J. “What have we learned about homeschooling?.” Peabody Journal of Education 82.2-3 (2007): 387-409.
[2] Rivero, Lisa. “The homeschooling option.” The Homeschooling Option. Palgrave Macmillan, New York, 2008. 159-177.
[3] Rivero, Lisa. “Secrets of successful homeschooling.” Understanding Our Gifted 15.4 (2003): 8-11.
