Pre-school education at home - ideas needed

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For reasons beyond my control my 3 year old has already missed one term of pre-school, then been back for the autumn term, and now looks like he is going to miss at least another 6 weeks.

He starts school in September, and whilst I'm not wanting to teach him to read or write or anything like that I do need to sort out a structure to our mornings together - otherwise the temptation to get some work done while he stares at the TV will be too great.

Can someone recommend a good website to help me to plan 'pre-school-at-home' sessions.

Thanks.

If he's only 3, then what he would mostly be doing at preschool would be child-led anyway rather than structured activities (or at least it should be!) so the most important thing would be to follow his interests. Does he like doing puzzles? reading? playing with his toys? Playing outside? So long as you are providing him with an interesting range of activities that's enough to be honest, things like playdoh, paper and crayons, construction toys like duplo are good. Are you stuck at home or can you go out - trips to the shops are good for lots of things like counting apples into a bag, comparing sizes of things, that sort of thing. Can he help you with things like preparing lunch or sorting out the washing?! A daily outing of some kind ought to be possible even if only a walk to the postbox. Any opportunities to socialise with other children and develop sharing and interpersonal skills would also be good - any toddler groups near you? any friends you could invite for coffee and a play? And for school things like self care (pouring own drinks, opening a lunchbox, putting on a coat) are also useful. But if he's not going to school until September you've got ages - just chill out and enjoy spending time with him! (if you really really want structured stuff there is a lot on the web but most tends to be very adult led craft type activities - more useful for a 3 year old to be just making mud pies or spooning cheerios into a bowl in my view!

Hi there,

Pre-school is very much play based with activity stations etc from what I've seen. We chose not to send ds to preschool. We do lots of craft activities, from just letting him loose with paint and paper, to organised crafts like christmas cards.
Are you able to take him to soft play, toddler groups etc? Or organise playdates at your house?
Preschools often have a theme each week. It might be animals, or greetings, or cooking?

Hope this helps! Try not to worry too much. There are plenty of kids who never go to preschool but settle just fine into reception.

Thanks both of you. teeny - you just reminded me of our favourite pass time - threading cheerios onto strawberry shoe laces...then eating them of course.

He only started full-time in September - before that we used to go to a mother and toddler groups and he loved them but I was quite happy to see the back of them. Might have to just suck it up and venture back as he needs to socialize.

Assume he's 4 this year and starting school in Sept? If so work on his independence too - things like getting changed by himself, putting coat on, eating independently, using the toilet independently are all skills the school will thank you for him having. Other than that playtime, reading books together, general common sense around scissors and other craft objects, talking about how others feel and act, outside mucky play etc will all be good. Personally I probably wouldn't do toddler groups because they aren't my thing but soft play is a favourite of ours. My DS is in preschool and loves every second of it. Hope that helps!

Forgot to say - if you can, visit local attractions castles, abbey ruins etc. Lots of cl

(stupid iPhone) climbing and exploring opportunities there.