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Home ed

Find advice from other parents on our Homeschool forum. You may also find our round up of the best online learning resources useful.

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Original poster

Homeschooling a 2 year old?

72 replies

BeKind89 · 06/04/2017 16:14

My DS is 2 and a half but I've started homeschooling already as the local schools are really overcrowded and we may be relocating abroad in the next couple of years so this is the best option for everyone.

So far we've learnt quite a bit, he can name all the letters, can count & recognise numbers up to 30, knows all the colours and about 20 different shapes and can read a few words.

My question is... what next? His vocabulary is pretty good for his age but he can never seem to sit and concentrate on one thing for more than 10 mins (probably because of his age).

I always try and make learning fun and get and laugh out of him while we work/learn but I'm stumped on what to do next or what is expected of him before he turns 3 or 4 or 5?

I'm really at a loss and was wondering for any advice or tips or any words of wisdom from anyone who has home schooled from the start.

Tia xx

OP posts:

frasersmummy · 06/04/2017 16:18

I have no advice on home schooling..But 2.5 is very young....i would let him be a baby for a while yet

DoItTooJulia · 06/04/2017 16:18

Children this age learn through play, so play with him.

Play cutting and sticking, play trains, play play doh, play painting, play chalking, play planting seeds, play baking, play messy play, play water play, play cars, play tea parties, play shops, play drawing, play chalking on the patio, play animals, play dinosaurs, play dollies, play Lego, play Playmobil, and read books. Big books, story books, picture books, animal books, lift the flap books, opposite books, number books, letter books. Play snap. Play with money.

ralphi · 06/04/2017 16:21

it is proven that children of that age learn best through play rather than by sitting down to study something. two and a half is very little, I think you should concentrate on varied play and some experience based learning (zoo, museum etc.) Are you intending to homeschool in the future?

Original poster

BeKind89 · 06/04/2017 16:23

I always let him decide what he wants to do. Just recently he learnt and memorised all the body parts because he asked what they are. He's such a quick learner and I want to encourage his curiosity to learn in every way, and even though it is really young, I think if he's capable of learning now then why not start?
Just wanted some advice on how to approach x

OP posts:

TigerBreadAddict · 06/04/2017 16:23

Just play and read to him. He will learn through play. Plenty of outdoor play, climbing, riding, running etc
Lots of indoor and outdoor sensory play like sand, water, play dough, mud, , , Get some scales , some funnels and measuring cups. Make small worlds like Dino land, quarries with gravel and trucks, arctic world with frozen (ice) lake etc
Think of the sort of things they do at a nursery.
Find some good blogs like Imagination Tree or whatever floats your boat, there are loads.

LilQueenie · 06/04/2017 16:24

just do whatever he has an interest in. First word books, crayons, anything really. To be honest school really only expect the basics such as being able to dress yourself and go to the loo. Knowing letters and numbers. If you are ahead in any way then they will take it from there but its not really expected.

Lukeandlorelai4Ever · 06/04/2017 16:24

Play is most important at this age as is learning to socialise.
Is there some toddler groups you could take him too?

ralphi · 06/04/2017 16:25

well memorising all body parts seems pretty normal at that age. Would that usually be described a homeschooling?

SolomanDaisy · 06/04/2017 16:25

I don't think you need to think of it as homeschooling. You're just being at home with a 2.5 year-old, like millions of others. Just play with him and follow his interests.

JaxingJump · 06/04/2017 16:26

Just leave it for now and spend the time over the next 3 years until he's more of school age training yourself up for the job of home schooling. It's important you are prepared and trained then, not now.

PotteringAlong · 06/04/2017 16:29

Surely you're not homeschooling him if he's 2.5? You're just being at home with him?

BitOutOfPractice · 06/04/2017 16:31

You do realise that you're not "homeschooling" you're just playing with him and he's picking up stuff like every other parent / caregiver does and has done for centuries. Or did you just want to not-so-stealth boast?

Original poster

BeKind89 · 06/04/2017 16:32

We do have a very relaxed schedule, eg Mondays we focus on his numbers and adding and subtraction, Tuesdays is reading and practising writing his letters, Wednesday is science, so like fun experiments and learning about space etc.
I decided to make the schedule when I realised hes picking things up really quickly, and I've decided to home school him in the future (kids in my area start school at 3).

Obviously I am being a stay at home mum too but I'd really like to encourage him in learning too, give him a head start.

OP posts:

AssassinatedBeauty · 06/04/2017 16:37

If I was going to be home educating instead of using the state system I'd spend the time before compulsory school age researching home ed methods, seeing what was available locally and so on. There are lots of decisions to be made about how you go about the whole process and what kind of home ed you're going to do.

In terms of what to do with your child now, I'd do exactly the same as any other parent at home with a 2.5 year old. Follow their interests, take them to a wide range of interesting places, give them the opportunity to interact with other children and so on.

NellysKnickers · 06/04/2017 16:38

OP you aren't home schooling, your dc is 2.5, lots of other mums are at home with their dcs at this age. Just let him play and be 2.5 for now and knock the 'home schooling' on the head.

JaxingJump · 06/04/2017 16:53

You mean kids start nursery at 3?

katymac · 06/04/2017 16:54

If you want look at the early years curriculum where you will soon find out socialisation, interpersonal relationships and communication skills are the most important at this age

Then let them play with other children

Dreardre · 06/04/2017 16:57

Sorry if I sound snippy, but doesn't everyone do this with their children?

0hCrepe · 06/04/2017 16:58

You say he knows letter names, but does he know the sounds? Phonics? That would be a good next step towards reading in addition to listening to stories.

AssassinatedBeauty · 06/04/2017 16:59

I think in Wales children start school proper at 3, although I could be wrong. Or the OP could be non-UK based.

maisyanddaisy · 06/04/2017 17:02

Are you missing work and want to give your own days more structure? It is bloody hard being at home with a toddler, so if that's your thinking I understand - but it's really not appropriate for his age. Just let him get messy, explore the outdoors and watch Peppa Pig.

titchy · 06/04/2017 17:03

Mandarin and violin you're missing at the moment so make a start on those.

JaxingJump · 06/04/2017 17:05

I was just curious as I couldn't think of any country where they start at 3 and even 4 from the international perspective is criticised as being too early.

Never thought of Wales😅

zzzzz · 06/04/2017 17:06

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Fruitcocktail6 · 06/04/2017 17:17

There is a curriculum for early years called the eyfs (early years foundation stage). Have a look at that.

Although it's not really homeschooling if they're too young to be at school anyway.

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