When to start

[camomof5]

Ok so DD is still very young, but when and how did you guys start the little ones on learning. I am scared to death to try homeschooling, but thought maybe I can give her a good start, We as of now play and I explain everything to her (she is only 5 months) so what and where and how do you all get your kids started?

[Dakota's Mom]

Now's good. Read to her. Read a lot. Read every day. And when she stats asking questions, answer them as honestly as you can. That's how learning starts.

Kathi

[Lillian J]

I'd like to suggest that you read through some of this page on preschool and kindergarten. There are articles at the top, and annotated links to lots of websites beneath the box of articles - you'll find all sorts of ideas for how learning can be very gradually and naturally introduced. Your child is always busy learning, of course - what you're probably wondering is when you should start introducing things that are traditionally covered in schools - things like the 3Rs, colors, shapes, etc. But there's really no special age for all that. Much of it can and will come pretty naturally. Right now, all you need to do is continue doing what you're doing - introducing your child to the environment at hand and answering questions. There's a lot a young child will want and need to know about her immediate world, so that alone can take a number of years - especially since a lot of what she'll need most is just plenty of active and imaginative play. Lillian

[4evermom]

Let her look at things until she is done looking (you'd be surprised at how often people rush little kids around trying to show them everything when they are already busy checking something out). Talk about what she is looking at (maybe not constantly). Have your environment set up to be as kid friendly as possible so you don't feel the need to squelch her inquisitive explorations. When you go to places, follow her around instead of leading her, when possible (after she is mobile, that is ).

Children are natural learners so what you have to watch out for is things that could inhibit her learning, rather than going out of your way to try to promote learning. I think people unintentionally inhibit their children's desire to learn by not following their children's cues. Sometimes parents give a mini lecture instead of giving a simple answer when a simple aswer is all the child wants. Giving rewards can encourage people to do doing things soley for rewards rather than just doing things because they are interesting.

[elizawill]

talk to her a lot, and point things out to her such as colors, flowers, animals, fruits, etc. explain where things come from...and when you dress her, say now lets put your left foot in...your right food...over your head now...etc. explain things as you do them. i talk to my children with the same vocabulary i would an adult, and my 5 year old uses larger vocabulay words in the correct context now because of this. she doesn't sound silly or overgrown either...we are super silly of course all of the time, so she is very much her age...i just think we take forgranted how much children are really learning from us all of the time. everything is a chance to learn and grow.

[Just Me]

Our children are learning from us from the day they are bron. Speak to her and not at her or down to her. Read to her. Sing to her. provide her with age appropriate developmental toys. Take her for walks and talk about what you see, stopping to let her observe that squirrel or watch that bird. take her to the zoo, aquarium, etc to introduce these things. have her sit and watch you prepare dinner, and when old enough, to hand you teh vegetables and what not to prepare. baby sign with her so she can communicate back ...mine was able to sign back some at 8-9 months. they are in there, just unable to speak

[Ruthla]

I think your little one started learning as soon as she was born, if not earlier.

Read to her. Talk to her. Let her explore the world. Take her on walks and describe what you see. She's learning!

There's no need to worry about a formal curriculum before age 5 or 6, if you choose to go the "formal curriculum" route.

[camomof5]

thanks