Quiet Preschool Activities

When you homeschool, you need preschool activities to help keep younger children quiet while you are teaching your older children. These activities should be able to keep your young child occupied for about twenty to thirty minutes, so that you can teach your older child his math or give him a spelling test.

Items to Have on Hand

• play dough
• pattern blocks
• matching games
• stringing beads
• stencils

Preschool Activities and School

Give your preschooler a choice between two activities. This lets your child feel like they have some control.

We usually have school at the kitchen table. My younger children would play quietly while I taught my older children math or spelling.

My son liked to play with pattern blocks. He would spend time making up designs.I also had designs such as a train or flower that he could copy. When he was playing with the pattern blocks I could teach my other children.

My son also enjoyed matching games. Show your child that each card has a match. Then lay the cards out on the table and let your child match the cards. Many preschoolers enjoy playing this game by themselves.

My girls liked to make jewelery with beads. If your child puts things into their mouth, there are very large beads that you can get. Beads are a good preschool activity that teaches patterning.

Play dough can also be used as a quiet activity. My favorite recipe is 1 cup flour, 1/2 cup salt, 1 tablespoon oil, 2 teaspoons cream of tartar, and 1 cup water. Cook the mixture over low heat until it becomes thick. The children can help you measure the ingredients into the pan.

Other Ideas

Other activities include coloring books,stencils, and stickers. You can find inexpensive coloring books, stickers and stencils at a dollar store.

When I was a child I liked to sew using lacing cards. If you cannot find lacing cards at a local store you can make your own. Find stiff cardboard such as cereal boxes. Then cut out a simple shape such as a fish. Next punch holes in the sides. Have your child use a shoelace to lace in the holes.

Puzzles are a good item to have on hand. Use large wooden or cardboard puzzles that you place the puzzle piece back into a border.

A fun activity is to make rubbings. To make a rubbing use stencils, leaves or coins. Lay paper on top on the item then rub with the side of a pencil or crayon. Stay close and make sure that your child does not put anything in their mouth.

My least favorite activities are educational TV, DVDs, and the computer. I would only use these activities when my older child was having trouble understanding a concept and I needed to take extra time explaining.

Organize

Organize your preschool activities in a cupboard or bin, so that they will be ready for when you teach school. Limit your preschooler's access to the items when you are not teaching.

Back to Preschool Activities