The question came up recently on an elist I’m on about Kindergarten. Below is my reply. (BTW, everything here doubly applies to “homeschool pre-school”.)
We don’t “do” Kindergarten,* but continue informal learning, with no “planning and scheduling” until they are about age 6-8. If they are interested in something, we work on learning it.
They are involved in our Family Worship, Bible Study and Recitation, and Character studies time.** If they want to draw a picture or other notebooking page, they can. They usually ask for their own “Notebook” binder when they are about 3. They are also a part of Family read-aloud times, as well as individual times of reading with them.
They learn letter sounds along the way as we are reading, and start writing when they want to learn. I teach them proper letter formation (and pencil hold,) but they do most of their early writing “in the air” (finger writing) or in a salt tray. When they know many letter sounds, and are ready, they start blending and spelling.
They also pick up quantity solving just around the house, as we go about our day. We talk about “calendar” and “time” things, as well as money and measuring things.
They narrate informally on their own.
And I think that’s about it. It covers all the “subjects” but isn’t following any curriculum or structured formal study. (Our state requires “filing” when they are 7, but we can cover all the subjects they want us to do, informally through real life, even if we don’t start structured studies then.) Lots of games and play, exploring and family time. Lots of helping and beginning household responsibilities.
See Sorting it Out Pulling it Together (soon to be Freedom & Simplicity™ for Beginners) or our other resources for young learners if you need more information to give you the confidence to do this. You really do NOT need, not do I recommend, curriculum for a 5 year old.
*Note: Kindergarten – For a highly enlightening research project, look up the source, origin, and intent/purpose for this modern, progressive idea.
** Note: You don’t need a packaged curriculum for these things.
