Question
I am new to homeschooling with my 4 year old. We have started with numbers and letters and writing her name. I have only just started but am losing the will as she is just not remembering anything. We have worked on writing her name but she is just not getting it. Am I doing the wrong thing by not sending her to school as I do not know how to teach her.
Answer
First and foremost, it is important to be too hard on yourself. When it comes to helping your child learn, especially at a young age, the key is to make the process enjoyable. Start by introducing basic colouring activities, as this will familiarise her with using a pencil and help develop her fine motor skills by encouraging her to stay within the lines.
Gradually progress to using stencils for letters. Begin with short sessions of 10-15 mins to maintain her engagement. Start with one letter per day and place the letter strategically around the room/house, so that she encounters it throughout the day. As the day unfolds, ask her to identify the letter and provide examples of words that start with it. For instance, if the letter is ‘W’, you can mention that ‘W’ is for water, while making a drink or suggest the ‘look out the Window’ to reinforce the association.
The key is to maintain a calm and enjoyable atmosphere. Do not stress if she doesn’t grasp everything immediately: learning will naturally progress with time.
