Homeschool: Toddler School Overview

As promised in this post, here is our toddler/preschool "curriculum".  I have highlighted what Abby (2 years old) is focusing on this year.  Over the next couple of years I will continue to add concepts until she is ready for kindergarten.  Some concepts - shapes, colors, counting out loud, counting objects, etc - we will repeat each year until she is five.

Please keep in mind that this is not exhaustive and if it is at all useful to you, look at it as a tool.  You know your child and his/her capabilities better than I, do move at a pace that makes sense to you.  Many of these concepts are learned in every day life.  I like to "do school" so we have formalized some of the learning simply because that's what we do.  You decide what will be best and remember to have fun!

 At the end of this post you will find a list of project and activity ideas, most of which we have actually done and found to be fun, simple, and effective in reinforcing the basics.  Finally, you can find a list of links to some helpful online resources that I have used regularly over the last few years.

So, without further ado here is our Toddler School format.

Learning Objectives (2 to 4 years old, in preparation for Kindergarten)
Phonics/Reading: Be able to identify some letters by phonetic sound.  Be familiar with books.
Writing/Penmanship: Have practiced using a crayon, marker, or pencil.  Be able to write at least the first name and possibly the last name.
Math: Be able to count out loud from 1-20.  Be able to count objects from 1-10 and from 1-20 if possible.  Be able to sort objects by size and by color.
Readiness Skills: Be able to identify a range of shapes and colors.  Have practiced using scissors and glue.

September	Phonics/Reading	Read-alouds
	Writing/Penmanship	Coloring and drawing
	Math	Counting out loud 1-5
	Readiness Skills	Color: Red Shape: Circle
October	Phonics/Reading	Read-alouds
	Writing/Penmanship	Coloring and drawing
	Math	Counting out loud 1-5
	Readiness Skills	Color: Yellow Shape: Square
November	Phonics/Reading	Read-alouds Letters A, B
	Writing/Penmanship	Coloring and drawing
	Math	Counting out loud 1-10
	Readiness Skills	Color: Blue Shape: Triangle
December	Phonics/Reading	Read-alouds Letters C, D, E, F
	Writing/Penmanship	Coloring and drawing
	Math	Counting out loud 1-10
	Readiness Skills	Color: Green Shape: Star
January	Phonics/Reading	Read-alouds Letters G, H, I, J
	Writing/Penmanship	Coloring and drawing; Tracing name Tracing straight lines (horizontal)
	Math	Counting out loud 1-20 Counting Objects 1-5
	Readiness Skills	Color: Purple Shape: Rectangle
February	Phonics/Reading	Read-alouds Letters K, L, M, N
	Writing/Penmanship	Coloring and drawing; Tracing name Tracing straight lines (vertical & horizontal)
	Math	Counting out loud 1-20 Counting objects 1-5
	Readiness Skills	Color: Pink Shape: Heart
March	Phonics/Reading	Read-alouds Letters O, P, Q, R
	Writing/Penmanship	Coloring and drawing; Tracing name Tracing circles (counterclockwise)
	Math	Counting objects 1-10 Size
	Readiness Skills	Color: Brown Shapes: Cross, Octagon
April	Phonics/Reading	Read-alouds Letters S, T, U, V
	Writing/Penmanship	Coloring and drawing; Tracing name Tracing zig-zags
	Math	Counting objects 1-10 Size and comparison
	Readiness Skills	Color: Orange Shapes: Octagon, Arrow, Diamond
May	Phonics/Reading	Read-alouds Letters W, X, Y, Z
	Writing/Penmanship	Coloring and drawing; Tracing name Tracing lines (all) and shapes (various)
	Math	Sorting by size and color Counting objects 1-20 (if able)
	Readiness Skills	Colors: Black, White Shapes: Diamond, Crescent

Bible, Social Studies, Science and Health, Music, and Arts and Crafts will be covered with the older kids.

Activity and Craft Ideas

Color or Shape Collage
Shape Play - bangles (circles), blocks (squares or rectangles), etc.
All One Color - coloring with several shades of one color
Colored Play Dough
Apple Prints
Colored Pasta - necklaces, art, etc.
Colored Rice Art
Do-A-Dot Painting
Finger Painting
Color or Shape Scavenger Hunt - take photos if you like and make it into a collage
Dress Yourself in the Color of the Month

Online Resources
Pardon all of my own Pinterest boards here.  There are quite a few pins that lead to blogs that are infinitely more helpful than this blog...hopefully you'll find something worthwhile.
tlsbooks.com/
dltk.com/
enchantedlearning.com/
http://pinterest.com/mamachew315/  For the most useful pins, check the boards for Toddlers, Preschool, and Keeping the Kids Busy.