homeschool preschool

The Best Homeschool Preschool Curriculum | Tips And Recommendations

July 1, 2024 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Choosing the best homeschool preschool curriculum can be really easily. Also, you’ll love my page Homeschool Curriculum for more ideas and grade level curriculum. And my page How to Homeschool Preschool.

You don’t need to buy a box or prepared curriculum but rather learn through play.

Learning through play can be easily directed by the parent (but not forced) to create a rich learning environment.

It should be more like fun and naturally being introduced to math, science, history, language arts, and more.

The Best Homeschool Preschool Curriculum | Tips And Recommendations

Preschoolers don’t need to worry about writing yet.

It is more important to build up their fine motor skills.

And this is easily done by building with blocks, playing with playdough, buttoning and unbuttoning their clothing, and digging in the dirt.

This can be as simple as putting letters in a sensory bin and asking them to find the letter that their name starts with or counting out crackers for a snack.

Common Household Items for Play Based Learning

You can use much of what you already have in your own home to teach preschoolers.

For example look at these items:

inexpensive craft supplies,
blunt scissors,
measuring cups/spoons,
beans for manipulatives,
toys for practicing beginning letter sounds,
cooking utensils for pouring and measuring,
mini scale,
crayons,
seeds,
analog clocks with hands and minutes,
maps, and anything else you can think of.

But for some structure that is still enjoyable, I have recommendations for each subject to help you facilitate a wonderful early learning environment.

Themes are especially fun in preschool and can be used to create a homeschool preschool curriculum with all the subjects.

Some favorites for us were farm, construction, space, dinosaurs, winter, and pets.

Focus on letter and number recognition, simple counting, read-aloud, and lots of play for little ones.

Also, look at more tips for teaching preschoolers.

More Homeschool Preschool Curriculum Tips

Best Homeschool Curriculum By Grade

Finally, look at these recommendations.

13 Preschool Homeschool Curriculum Options

Look at what your homeschool preschool curriculum might look like with some suggestions for activities, books, and learning ideas.

Preschool Math at Home: Simple Activities to Build the Best Possible Foundation for Your Child

Preschool Math at Home will guide you step-by-step as you introduce your preschooler to the world of numbers. Your child will develop a thorough understanding of the numbers up to ten, including: counting comparing and ordering numbers recognizing written numerals beginning addition and subtraction.

Slow and Steady Get Me Ready For Kindergarten: 260 Activities To Do With Your Child From Age 0 to 5

Looking for quick, engaging activities to prepare your child for kindergarten? Spend a few minutes a day with your child in productive, interactive play with Slow and Steady Get Me Ready For Kindergarten!

Slow and Steady Get Me Ready For Kindergarten abounds with hands-on developmental activities that parents can do with their children between the ages of 0 and 5 years old to get them prepared for kindergarten. June R. Oberlander, a 19-year veteran kindergarten teacher in Fairfax County, Virginia, first published this book in 1988. Now her granddaughter, Hannah Oberlander, a current teacher in Loudoun County, Virginia, has updated and enhanced these classic activities for today's parents of the next generation.

Developing the Early Learner: Level 1 by Simone Bibeau

BOOK 1 of 4 (AGES 2-6) Book 1 is a pre-reading experience designed to provide your child with a complete program in perceptual readiness. Here are some of the unique qualities that you will find within these pages. We include all four major areas of perception: visual, auditory, motor, and comprehension skills. Each major category is then broken down into specific sub-skills so that you can understand just what type of learning is taking place. Every page develops only ONE sub-skill to avoid confusion when the child is working the page. A target score on each page quickly gives you a score as well as an incentive for the child to work toward a certain goal.

My First Book of Patterns: Pencil Control

A perfect fun activity book designed for early learners to develop pencil control and motor skills. By following the arrows and tracing the dotted lines, the little scholars can complete the tracing exercises and creative activities leading to development of their early writing skills. The child will also learn to identify, write and revise straight, curvy, zig zag lines and multiple patterns. The book is also an excellent first step to prepare for school.

Before Five in a Row: Second Edition

Designed to be used with children ages 2 through 4, Before Five in a Row is a rich treasury of creative ideas that help you gently, consistently prepare your children for the lifelong adventure of learning. Now in a revised second edition, this bestselling volume is the foundation for inspired learning through great books and future studies with the entire Five in a Row curriculum.

408 Pcs Lacing Letters Alphabet

Rich Numbers: you will get 2 buckets of lowercase letter beads, including 384 lowercase letters and 24 ropes, a total of 408 items, and the equipped storage buckets are easy to storage and protect these accessories; And the quantity is very large, which can meet the needs of daily learning and playing

A Unique Flexible and Beautiful Preschool Homeschool Planner

This unique flexible and beautiful preschool homeschool planner is the perfect homeschool planner to use for early learners. While creating this 47-page early learner planner I included flexible planning pages.

Forms like 21 thematic planning pages, a year at a glance page, and 12 months of planning your theme are a few included.

Adding in an editable lesson planning template and 4 colorful
attendance sheets helps you to easily meet record keeping guidelines if
necessary

Nature Anatomy: The Curious Parts and Pieces of the Natural World

Science books for your preschooler's curriculum should be simple and colorful but contain rich information in small bites. Nature Anatomy and The Big Book of series are perfect resources to keep on your shelves for preschoolers as they will grow with them for years.

The Cat in the Hat's Learning Library Favorites: There's No Place Like Space!; Oh Say Can You Say Di-no-saur?; Inside Your Outside!; Hark! A Shark!

This sturdy boxed set of four bestselling Cat in the Hat's Learning Library books includes something to pique the interest of every child! Beginning readers will learn all about our solar system in There's No Place Like Space!; all about dinosaurs in Oh Say Can You Say Di-no-saur?; all about the human body in Inside Your Outside; and all about sharks in Hark! A Shark!

Preschool Exploring Creation Together Science

At the preschool level, science is all about exposure, not memorization of facts. It’s helping the youngest explorers understand that their world is discoverable. Through guided exploration of their world, young children learn how to naturally incorporate all aspects of language (expanding vocabulary), math (counting and recording), science (observing and experimenting), and art (drawing out ideas) into their understanding of how their world works. Most importantly, children will come to understand that their world is wonder-full, peace-full, and beauty-full because God created it full of His love and wisdom. Preschool Exploring Creation Together is a spiral-bound curriculum with 2 distinct sections included

Fun-Schooling for Beginners - Do-It-Myself Journal: Letters, Numbers, Animals, Coloring, Tracing, Mazes, Logic and Drawing (Full-Sized Activity Book for Preschool & Kindergarten)

Fun-Schooling for Beginners - Do-It-Myself Journal: Letters, Numbers, Animals, Coloring, Tracing, Mazes, Logic and Drawing (Full-Sized Activity Book for Preschool & Kindergarten) (Volume 1

A1 & A2, ideal for ages 2-6 (Preschool & Kindergarten) A beginners journal full of 100 educational and fun activities. This secular journal can be used by children of any religious background Includes colors, numbers, letters, feelings, early reading & writing, and more.

Photo Credit: www.bfbooks.com

Teacher Guide Around the World Part 1 - Homeschool Teacher's Guide

This teacher guide contains gentle Socratic questions designed to prompt discussion and discovery. Beautiful drawings of indigenous animals are also included which will familiarize students with some remarkable creatures, their habitat and habits, cultivating respect and wonder for the natural world.

Photo Credit: www.bfbooks.com

Early American History K-3rd - Homeschooling History Pack

Sure to ignite curiosity about our nation's history, this Early American History Through Literature study will take you and your K-3 homeschooling students through the first Indigenous people of the Americas, the Vikings discovery of America, the exploration, colonization, settlement, and establishment of the United States. Spanning 1000 AD to the mid-1800's this course makes teaching this literature-rich curriculum easy and fun!

How to Make a Watermelon Sensory Bin for Play and Learning

June 2, 2024 | 1 Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Today I’m showing you how easy it is to make a summer theme watermelon sensory bin that is perfect for play and learning. Also, look at my page How to Homeschool Preschool for more ideas.

What may seem just like a fun container of rice is so much more than just play!

There are many benefits to sensory bins for preschoolers.

How to Make a Watermelon Sensory Bin for Play and Learning

And they can introduce a fun standalone theme like watermelon or be used as a springboard for a small unit study.

If you have not introduced sensory bins yet this is a perfect easy starter one that can be made into any size

You can spend a little time learning about how watermelons grow, planting your own seeds and watching them develop, and even taste testing different varieties to fill it out even more.

Make the entire week wildly watermelon themed with these additional sensory ideas which I have below.

Too, learn why sensory bins are such a wonderful part of preschool development.

Wild Watermelon Sensory Ideas

Grab Food Anatomy from the Julia Rothman series and learn a little bit more about different varieties of this delicious summer treat.

Include a taste test before or after the sensory bin to include even more of your child’s senses.

We have also learned How to Make Fun Watermelon Seed Slime For Summer Learning, another great activity to involve several of the 5 senses and build hand muscles.

Make a Watermelon Squish Bag for a sensory treat that doesn’t make a mess.

I love that everything is contained in a tidy gallon zip top bag.

While slices of watermelon are fantastic on their own try putting a twist on it and get your kids in the kitchen learning all about following directions, measuring, and kitchen safely with a Kid Friendly Watermelon Slush.

These tempera paint sticks make for great painting projects and keep the mess to a minimum,

They worked fantastically for a quick W is for watermelon picture.

Watermelon Moon Sand is a unique texture that kids love to play with (messy warning, this stuff sticks and spreads).

8 Benefits of Using Sensory Bins

Next look at the benefits of using sensory bins in your homeschool.

Sensory bins are a calming activity where children can play independently or with others.
Scooping with cups or spoons builds fine motor skills.
Picking up items with fingers or tweezers develops grasp important for prewriting.
Prompt cognitive development as children sort,
Talking about what they find or are doing in the bin builds language development and vocabulary.
Adding letters introduces literacy skills like letter identification, sounds, and building words.
Counting and measuring objects in the sensory bin introduces early math concepts like counting, sorting, and volume.
When playing with others it teaches children to share through cooperative play.

Finally, look at how to make a watermelon sensory bin.

How to Make a Watermelon Sensory Bin

You will need:

Uncooked rice
red/pink food coloring
Hand sanitizer
Black beans or sunflower seeds
Containers and spoons
Optional-watermelon scent

First, measure out enough uncooked rice to fill about 2” depth in whatever container you have chosen.

Stir in either liquid or gel food color along with enough hand sanitizer to help spread the color all around until you have reached your desired color.

Mix it up well and then spread out the rice as flat as you can, using a baking sheet if you like.

Stir in scent at this time if you are going to use it as well.

Lay your rice out in the sun to dry and stir every so often, the alcohol in the hand sanitizer helps it to dry fast.

Transfer rice to a shallow container for your sensory bin.

Sprinkle on some black beans or sunflower seeds for watermelon seeds

These are great for counting and sorting.

I happened to have sunflower seeds on hand and loved the way they looked as watermelon seeds.

Add in fun items for exploring like spoons, cups, bowls, mason jar rings, measuring cups and spoons.

You want items that can be used for filling, pouring, scooping, investigating volume, etc.

Next, include some letters to hide like W’s or even those to spell out w-a-t-e-r-m-e-l-o-n for a quick language lesson.

I also included 4 wooden craft sticks to play with and these can also be used to form a w.

Have your child sort out the watermelon “seeds” for counting.

P Is For Pineapple Craft | How To Make A Fun Handprint Pineapple

May 4, 2024 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Today’s P is for pineapple craft is a fantastic simple idea for summer that can double as home decor to give your space a tropical fun vibe. Also, I have more alphabet letter fun on my page How to Homeschool Preschool.

Besides, handprint crafts are a wonderful way to preserve those tiny hands.

Before you know it, those hands grow into large ones that reach for the car keys and shy away from having their palms slathered in paint.

P Is For Pineapple Craft | How To Make A Fun Handprint Pineapple

You can create today’s craft on sturdy paper or even on a canvas to create a sturdier art piece.

Even though it’s summer, you can still have lots of fun learning with your preschooler and incorporate the summer theme at the same time.

They will never know all the “juicy tidbits” they are learning about science, geography, math, and more.

It will seem like child’s play.

Next, look at more phonics or letter activities for your little learner.

More How to Homeschool Preschool Letter of the Week Activities

Next, look at some fun facts about pineapples.

Facts About Pineapples

First, just a few important things about this tasty fruit:

Pineapples belong to the family Bromeliaceae, the only edible fruit of its kind.
Their scientific name of Ananas comosus means” excellent fruit” (agreed).
They were found in the West Indies by Christopher Columbus. And now can be found all over the world in tropical locations.
They are grown from cuttings, not seeds.
Each pineapple plant only produces one pineapple at a time.

Additionally, look at ideas for teaching phonics.

P is for Pineapple Craft Phonics Tips

As you are creating your pineapple handprint craft repeat the P sound often to help reinforce it in your child’s mind.
Grab any letter tiles or alphabetic magnets that you have in the letter P and point as you say the letter and its sound.
Hide letter tiles or pieces of paper with a P drawn on it around the room and have your child find them, identifying what it is each time they find one.
If your child is at the stage for writing you can make P’s lightly with a pencil and have them trace over them with a highlighter or crayon to practice.
Use pineapple as a starting point, what other words make that sound as well? Pinecone is an easy transition, but also look at the supplies you are using today- paint, pencil, paper. Have your child call out words and write them on a piece of paper for them to look at as they list them.

Also, look at these hands-on ideas for learning about pineapples.

10 Pineapple Hands-On Activities

Research where the most pineapples are produced, the big 3 countries are Indonesia, the Philippines, and Costa Rica. Hawaii is also known for pineapples. Locate these places on a map.
Middle school students don’t have to miss out on the summer themed fun, check out my Fun Pineapple Candle For Fun Summer Activities for Middle Schoolers
Grab some fresh pineapple from the store and a can as well, taste test each and compare flavor and quality. Encourage your child to use descriptive words like sweet, juicy,sour, etc..
Cut off the pineapple top and plant in soil, this one’s an investment in time but in 18 months or so you can be harvesting your own fresh pineapple.
Put their afternoon snack in a pineapple boat! To do this all you have to do is cut off the bottom of the pineapple when you’re chopping it up for snack time, hollow it out and use it for an ice cream treat or fruit salad.
Learn About Fruits Around the World Fun With Food Activities
Measure a pineapple from base to the tip of the crown, then use a flexible measuring tape to measure its circumference, weigh on a scale if you have one.
Make a Pineapple Volcano, eruptions are always a hit with the preschool bunch!
Try pineapple lacing for an easy way to work on fine motor skills.
Here is another idea for older kids so that they can join in on the fun too, make a Pineapple Sorbet using just two ingredients, including fresh pineapple.

Handprint Pineapple Craft

You will need:

Green craft paint
Yellow craft paint
Paint brushes
Black marker
Sturdy paper or canvas

First, lightly draw a pineapple shape on your sturdy card stock, we are going for the general idea here, not perfection.

Then erase it until you can just barely see the outline. This is just to give your child a rough shape to follow.

Dip a thumb or finger into the yellow paint and add dots all over within the circle including the outline. Set aside to dry.

Once the yellow has dried completely you can erase some of the visible pencil lines if you like.

Paint the entire hand green and have them press it onto the top of the pineapple firmly, repeat two or three more times to get a full pineapple top.

Let the picture dry and don’t forget to write P is for the pineapple at the bottom to help your child make the connection that letters make words and words tell us what something is.

12 of the Best Books For Beginner Readers Being Homeschooled

May 3, 2024 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Finding the best books for beginner readers was at the top of my list when I sat my first homeschooled grad on my lap at 3 years old to teach him to read. Also, look at my page Kindergarten Homeschool Curriculum for more tips.

Equally important was learning the other skills I needed as the homeschool educator to teach him to read.

Like many educators who have their first budding reader I too was overly worried about the process.

First, look at some of these tips for teaching beginning readers which have worked for me through my many years of homeschooling.

Books for Beginner Readers

Trust that the process is natural. Unless your child has special needs or a disability to hamper learning how to read, he will learn to read. What I’m saying is that children learning to read are learning with every breath they take. Seizing their love of learning in their organic environment (your home and your lap) is where the seed is planted.
In addition, I didn’t realize the value of my habit of reading aloud to my first reader and reading silently. The point is from the beginning I was placing not just a high value on the skill of reading, but a love for it. Although you may not think so now, teaching a child a child to read can be quite easy compared to teaching him to be a lifelong reader. Lifelong readers model what they see.
Next, like a lot of new homeschool educators, I concentrated on intensity instead of consistency. That was a mistake and I almost gave up homeschooling. So the power of little and often cements a pattern for how your child learns to read. Short fun spurts throughout the day teaching your child to read is how to make true progress.

Timeless Tips for Beginner Readers

Second, remember that while you’re teaching your child to read, he will need direct phonics instructions.

Not only are you training his eyes to read or decipher (decoding), but you’re training his ears to hear sounds (encoding).

On top of that, remember to look at the BIGGER picture as you embark on your journey to teaching your child to read.

Direct phonics will help your child to decode words, and training his ear to distinguish between sounds and writing the correct symbol for that sound is encoding.

The Power of Little and Often

What I’m saying is that you want to pair a phonics program along with teaching your child to read.

Look at some of these helps:

In addition, you also want plenty of time reading aloud to your child which doesn’t include direct instruction.

You constantly want to reaffirm that reading is enjoyable, meaningful, and should be pain free. Keeping that warm and fuzzy feeling for reading is essential.

Books that Help Kids Learn to Read

So read below about books which make it easier for teaching beginner readers being homeschooled.

12 Books For Beginner Readers

Bob Books Sight Words: Kindergarten

The set of Bob books have been keepers for years in the homeschool world and there are several reasons.

One is because it normally takes only about 10 to 15 minutes a day.
The second reason is that the books hold your child’s attention and are
short.

Go, Go, Go (Read with Dick and Jane)

You’ll get mixed feedback on the Dick and Jane series that so many parents remember from their childhood.

Although what may seem as funny repetition, the books works for budding readers.

New readers need the constant repetition found in these series of books.

Too, it’s been my experience that struggling readers do well with this series since the text is predictable.

Maisy Mouse Collection 10 Books Set Series 2 Lucy Cousins Early Learner Children

Then, Mouse Mouse book series hails from England and your kid gets a nice influence to other cultures.

While reading about everyday things like bedtime, your beginning reader is entertained while his reading skills are sharpened. It’s just a fun and sweet series which entertains your kids.

A story of visiting the bookshop for the first time from the multi-award-winning Lucy Cousins. Maisy goes to the bookshop to buy a new book, and she also wants to get one as a present for her friend Tallulah. Titles in this Set Includes Maisy goes to Bookshop, Maisy Goes by Plane, Maisy Sports Day, Maisy Plays Football, Maisy Goes To The Cinema, Maisy Goes To Nursery, Maisy Goes To Hospital, Maisy Goes To The Library, Maisy Goes on a Sleepover, Maisy Charley and The Wobbly Tooth.

Usborne My First Phonics Reading Library Collection 12 Books Box Set (Phonics Readers) (WITH FREE AUDIO ONLINE)

Usborne My First Phonics Reading Library Collection 12 Books Box Set (Phonics Readers) (WITH FREE AUDIO ONLINE):Titles In This Ape's Great Escape (Phonics Readers)Chimp with a Limp (Phonics Readers)Hyena Ballerina (Phonics Readers)Giraffe in the Bath (Phonics Readers)Goat in a Boat (Phonics Readers)Bug in a Rug (Phonics Readers)Kangaroo at the Zoo (Phonics Readers)Mole in a Hole (Phonics Readers)Lizard in a Blizzard (Phonics Readers)Flamingo plays Bingo (Phonics Readers)Raccoon on the Moon (Phonics Readers)Phonics Llamas in Pyjamas

Usborne Very First Reading Boxed Set Collection Pack with 16 books

The beauty of the phonics readers is that text is still predictable and rhyming. Decoding which is the common thread with phonics readers makes the Usborne phonics readers a keeper.

Remember the power of little lessons done often creates a master reader.

The Cat in the Hat

I remember using the Cat in the Hat series to teach my first reader and every kid after him.

However, I had no idea how this series of books set up all my kids for reading success lifelong. Maybe Theodor Geisel didn’t have a clue either.

Whatever the case, building stories around sight words is not easy. Building a silly story with sight words is what worked for all of my kids. Too, this series is great for many ages, not just beginning readers.

I remember reading how Dr. Seuss was trying to kill the 1950s Dick and Jane series which some viewed as boring

Beginner Books are fun, funny, and easy to read! Launched by Dr. Seuss in 1957 with the publication of The Cat in the Hat, this beloved early reader series motivates children to read on their own by using simple words with illustrations that give clues to their meaning. Featuring a combination of kid appeal, supportive vocabulary, and bright, cheerful art, Beginner Books will encourage a love of reading in children ages 3–7.

Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?

Additionally, filling my bookshelves and yes floor with books with repetitive texts like Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See was something else I did right.

Little did I know then that repetitive text in fun books in how kids learn to read.

Multiple exposures to text encourages mastery..

Know that readers are nurtured by reading nursery rhymes at the newborn to preschool ages turns to repetitive text in books in the early years of reading. That equals mastery and brings meaning to reading.

Elephant & Piggie: The Complete Collection (Includes 2 Bookends) (An Elephant and Piggie Book)

Although the Elephant and Piggie series is classified closer to a first grade level, grade levels are subjective; we know that as home educators.

Besides you need a variety of levels as your child repeats and reads higher level books. Then he backs up and reviews basic concepts from lower grade levels.

Reading well is accomplished by pushing the boundaries to the next level without your child feeling any pressure.

Photo Credit: www.happyhomeschoolmom.com

McGuffey’s Eclectic Readers Free PDF Downloads

Here are the six McGuffey Eclectic Readers free PDF downloads in one convenient location! Plus, I’ve also included the McGuffey Speller free PDF download as well.

Splat the Cat: I Scream for Ice Cream (I Can Read Level 1)

One of the best things about the I Can Read series is the multiple levels. From prek to level 4 you have many choices of fun stories to go up and down in level to repeat texts as your budding reader needs it.

Splat can barely sit still during the bus ride. He's imagining the mountain of ice cream he thinks he'll get to eat! But when Splat gets there, that mountain becomes more of an avalanche. It's up to Splat and his classmates to save the day!

Beginning readers will practice the –eam sound in this easy-to-read addition to the Splat series.

I Can Read It! Book 1

Next, like the other readers listed with controlled vocabulary which means that a handful of words are repeated, the I Can Read It Series does the same.

What I also love about them as a parent is not just the predictable text, but in the fourth volume there is a word list which is helpful to me.

Controlled-vocabulary stories, with real plot, action, and humor, engage your childs attention and interest. Reading lessons move your child through a natural progression of phonetic and spelling patterns. Easy to use. Includes I Did Read It! diplomas. Fun!

Buzz Said the Bee, Grade 1 (Hello Reader)

Lastly, I used the Hello Readers from Scholastic to not only teach my new readers, but the sight word practice found in each book was needed for my kids

know some of these books will work for you because they have worked for homeschool families for years. Our needs at home vary because we want to teach phonics, love of reading, and sight words all in a natural way.

I know some of these books will work for you because they have worked for homeschool families for years.

Our needs at home vary because we want to teach phonics, love of reading, and sight words all in a natural way.

8 Engaging Pond Books for Preschoolers Who Love Pond Animals

March 28, 2024 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

If you are looking for engaging pond books for preschoolers who love pond animals, you have landed in the right place. Also, look at my page How to Homeschool Preschool for more tips and ideas! And my page Above & Below: Pond Unit Study, Hands-on Ideas, & Lapbook.

From fish to dragonflies there is so much to observe and learn about.

Preschoolers need a lot of fresh air, movement, and their attention span is about 6-12 minutes.

So, you want to make sure that every one of those minutes is filled with fun learning experiences.

8 Engaging Pond Books for Preschoolers Who Love Pond Animals

Getting out and seeing everything firsthand, looking at it closely and then reinforcing what they are seeing with engaging books is the best lesson you can give your preschooler.

You know me and you know that besides 8 great books I also have a few ideas for how to dive right into a pond study using real life experiences and fun items to explore the pond habitat.

Exploring The Pond With Preschoolers

I cannot recommend enough if you are doing a pond study that you find a local pond.

Go explore it, pack up a few books, some tools, and take a picnic lunch or snack along to make a day of it.

You probably do most of these activities with your child when you’re near a pond anyway but here are some learning ideas.

Feed the ducks and try to identify a few species.
Catch and release minnows and tadpoles.
Observe turtles sunning themselves on the bank.
Look for telltale signs of fish life in the ripples.
Identify bugs with a colorful book or app.
Use binoculars to watch birds in the trees and flying above.
Bring pond water home and observe microorganisms in it with a microscope.
Listen for the croak of bullfrogs and try to spot one.
Watch dragonflies darting in and around the pond.
Compare the difference in the soil at the edge of the pond and that which is further away.

Preschool Pond Tools

If you are headed to the pond to observe with a preschooler here are a few tools that will make the experience richer and more fun.

Kids just love bug catching kits and they are a wonderful way to hold and observe insects you find around the pond for a bit.
A magnifying glass is handy for closer observation of bugs, grasses, minnows, and even soil at the pond’s edge.
You don’t need a top of the line expensive pair but I would skip the kids binoculars and invest in a decent one for nature walks, backyard birding and of course pond study.

Pond Animals to Study on Your Visit To The Pond

Depending on where you are there is a multitude of birds, fish, insects, reptiles, and mammals in and around the pond to learn about.

Ducks- And look at Make Way For Ducklings Fun Duck Pond Playdough Invitation to Play.
Fish- Make a Paint Splat Fishing Pond for art while you read about what makes the characteristics that make a fish a fish.
Salamanders
Dragonflies- Learn 8 Insect Fun Facts About Texas For Kids | Easy Dragonfly Craft
Frogs- Pretend to be frogs and teach your child to identify numbers with a Frog Lily Pad Hop.
Turtles

Pond Skaters
Herons
Alligators-Make Alligator Pie: Book and Recipe, cooking is always wonderful to include for preschoolers on up in any study.
Kingfishers
Snakes
Beavers- Once you return from your pond visit you can put together this cute little Pond Life for Kindergarten Activity Build a Fun Beaver Dam.

8 Engaging Pond Books for Preschoolers

Here are some wonderful living books for reading aloud and for preschoolers to pore over at home and while at the pond.

8 Pond Books for Preschoolers

Here are some wonderful living books for reading aloud and for preschoolers to pore over at home and while at the pond.

Over and Under the Pond:

In Over and Under the Pond, readers will discover the plants and animals that make up the rich, interconnected ecosystem of a mountain pond. Over the pond, the water is a mirror, reflecting the sky. But under the water is a hidden world of creatures—minnows darting, beavers diving, and tadpoles growing. These secrets and many others are waiting to be discovered over and under the pond in this sweet children’s book from Kate Messner and Christopher Silas Neal, the latest in their beloved series that offers kids a peek into hidden ecosystems.

Nature Anatomy: The Curious Parts and Pieces of the Natural World

See the world in a whole new way! Acclaimed illustrator Julia Rothman combines art and science in this exciting and educational guide to the structure, function, and personality of the natural world. Explore the anatomy of a jellyfish, the inside of a volcano, monarch butterfly migration, how sunsets work, and much more. Rothman’s whimsical illustrations are paired with interactive activities that encourage curiosity and inspire you to look more closely at the world all around you.

At the Pond

When the soft pink of the dawn sun starts peeking over the pond, a new day has begun for all the animals who live in it and around its watery edges. The friendly duck family, the mysterious water striders, and the busy beaver are a few of the many fascinating and familiar animals included in this glowing poetic tribute to the lively ecosystem of the pond.

Turtle Pond

What is it about turtles that fascinates us? Is it how they hide inside their patterned shells, their wizened faces, their slow determination?

In Turtle Pond, a child and his parents visit their local public garden throughout the year, observing the turtles as they play, dive, feed, bask, climb, hide and doze. James Gladstone’s lively prose poem reveals the pleasure and curiosity that come from spending time with the turtles. Karen Reczuch’s stunningly beautiful illustrations accurately portray these extraordinary creatures, both in and out of the water, surrounded by lush plants and the changing seasons beyond the greenhouse windows.

Have You Seen My Duckling?

In this classic and bestselling Caldecott Honor winner, a mother duck loses her duckling—and finds it, with the help of sharp-eyed young readers.

Ducks in the Pond

The pond, normally filled with ducks, appears to be empty--and an empty pond opens the door for many questions. Where did all the ducks go? When ducks are not in the pond, what can they possibly be doing? Do they like to do the same activities that people like to do? Can they really be sleeping, shopping, or even eating pizza? Maybe they just flew away for the day.

So what happens when another animal is spotted swimming where the ducks used to swim? Can it really mean the ducks have left the pond forever? Will the ducks eventually make their way back?

In the Small, Small Pond

A child explores the wonders of the natural world in this rhyming, beautiful bright colored picture storybook about the lives of small animals and insects living around a freshwater pond.

What's in the Pond? (Hidden Life)

A fascinating picture book brings to life the creatures that live in and around a pond, from a water strider and a tadpole to a painted turtle and a red-winged blackbird and features informative text on each animal's characteristics and habits.