8 Essential Tips to Prepare Your Child for Preschool with ACE Curriculum | Homeschooling Guide

Preparing your child for preschool is a crucial step in their educational journey.

Whether you’re planning to use the Accelerated Christian Education (ACE) Curriculum or another program, early preparation is key to a smooth transition.

In this blog post, we’ll explore eight essential tips to help you effectively prepare your child for preschool while setting a strong foundation for their academic and spiritual growth.

I have been a homeschooling mom for over ten years now. I started homeschooling both of my children at Preschool level.

I wasn’t sure whether we would last through the first year lol! I’d never taught little children. I wasn’t a trained kindergarten teacher. I often openly declared I wasn’t called to minister to little children.

I’m grateful for God’s grace and mercy. When I got the conviction to homeschool my children, and to start from the beginning, (A story for another day) this was no small task in my mind.

Part of what I’m sharing in today’s post was part of the preparation I did. I felt it’s only right to share what I did to help someone else who might have been where I was.

My testimony is, apart from graduating my children from preschool and continuing to homeschool to date, I now assist in teaching Grade 1 to 3 children at church.

I hope that my little story will help you know that God is able to help you homeschool your little ones even when you think you can’t.

Disclaimer:

This post is about my experience using ACE’s Preschool curriculum. Feel free to reach out to the body that offers your curriculum such as ACE’s School of Tomorrow for the ACE Curriculum for further help or assistance.

Would you like to watch the video too?

I have also included a link to the video where I sat down and talked about these tips in detail too. You will find it at the end of this post in case you’d like to listen.

Let’s get into the 8 essential tips.

1. Prioritize Prayer and Seek God’s Guidance

Before embarking on any educational journey, prayer should be the foundation. Pray for your child’s growth, understanding, and willingness to learn.

As a parent, seek God’s wisdom in guiding your child through their education. Preschool preparation is not just about academics; it’s also about character development for you and your child.

Through prayer, ask for patience and grace to navigate the challenges that may arise.

Tip: Develop a routine of praying for your child or children. Include a time of prayer with them each morning to instill in them the habit of seeking God’s guidance in their studies.

2. Familiarize Yourself with the ACE Curriculum

Understanding the curriculum beforehand makes teaching smoother.

The ACE Curriculum is structured to provide a step-by-step learning approach, but as a parent, you must be well-acquainted with:

• Instructional manuals and how they guide daily learning.
• Activities and assignments that your child will be engaging in.
• Materials needed, ensuring you have them in advance.

Thankfully with the ACE curriculum, you won’t struggle to find your way as you prepare to homeschool your child.

The curriculum comes with instructional manuals to help you know what to do each day with your child, including a daily routine that you can modify to suit your context.

Tip: Set aside time each week to go through the upcoming lessons to stay ahead and ensure a seamless learning experience.

3. Prepare the Necessary Learning Materials Early

Having the right materials in place helps to avoid delays and interruptions in your child’s learning process.

Depending on your location, some learning tools may not be readily available, so plan ahead.

Here Are Some Items to Include in Your Checklist: Workbooks and PACEs (Packet of Accelerated Christian Education), Flashcards for letters and numbers, Writing and coloring materials, DVD or audio resource with audible phonetic sounds and songs, Storybooks as needed, and Materials for the activities and assignments you’ll need for the day.

Tip: Connect with other parents using the ACE Curriculum to borrow or share materials that may be expensive or hard to find.

4. Introduce Basic Concepts in a Fun Way

A great way to prepare your child is by introducing concepts informally before structured learning begins. For example:

• Teach colors and shapes through everyday objects.
• Count items during daily activities (e.g., “Let’s count the apples in this basket”).
• Read books together and point out letters and words.

Thankfully, the supervisor’s manual is also structured to help with this as you get even more creative in your homeschool.

Tip: Use interactive learning methods like songs, games, and storytelling to make learning engaging and enjoyable.

5. Develop Phonemic Awareness and Correct Pronunciation

One of the key components of the ACE Curriculum is phonics-based learning. It’s important to expose your child to letter sounds early on to make reading easier.

However, be mindful of pronunciation differences that may arise depending on your accent or regional dialect.

For example:

• The “r” sound in words like car and far may need more emphasis if it differs in your local pronunciation. (It does in our region!)
• The “b” and “p” sounds can sometimes be confusing for children, so practice them clearly.

Ask for assistance also from a fellow parent to ensure your child learns the pronunciation of each letter correctly.

Tip: Use phonics songs and audio resources provided in the ACE Curriculum to reinforce correct pronunciation.

6. Adapt to Your Child’s Learning Style

Each child is unique and learns in different ways. Some children are visual learners, others are auditory learners, while some prefer hands-on activities.

• Be expressive and animated when explaining concepts.
• Use visual aids like charts and flashcards.
• Engage in physical activities to reinforce learning.

One of my daughters could grasp stories when I read to her for 15 to 20 minutes. I had another daughter who would lose concentration in a few minutes. I quickly learned I had to be extremely dramatic sometimes, or even change location to help her focus on a storyline.

Tip: Observe how your child grasps new information and adapt teaching methods to suit their learning style.

7. Create a Structured Yet Flexible Learning Environment

Children thrive in structured environments but also need flexibility to explore and absorb information at their own pace.

• Set consistent learning hours but allow for breaks.
• Have a dedicated learning space that is organized and distraction-free.
• Incorporate play-based learning to make education enjoyable.

Tip: Use a visual schedule (charts or pictures) to help your child understand daily activities and transitions.

8. Join a Support Community or Attend Training Sessions

One of the best ways to stay motivated and well-equipped is to connect with other homeschooling parents. Support groups provide an opportunity to:

• Exchange teaching ideas and strategies.
• Share materials and resources.
• Encourage each other in the homeschooling journey.

Additionally, attending ACE Curriculum training sessions will help you understand the best approaches to teaching your child effectively.

Look out for those in your country. These trainings were very helpful for me. I would highly encourage you to enroll in these trainings.

Tip: Look for online communities, Facebook groups, or local homeschool co-ops that focus on the ACE Curriculum for extra support.

Final Thoughts: A Rewarding Journey Ahead

Preparing for preschool with the ACE Curriculum (or any other program) requires intentional planning and trust in God’s guidance.

By implementing these eight tips, you can ensure a smooth and enjoyable transition into early learning. Remember, this is not just an academic journey but a foundational stage where your child’s spiritual, mental, and emotional growth is nurtured.

Action Step: Begin incorporating these tips today and embrace the journey of preparing your child for a fulfilling preschool experience!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. At what age should I start preparing my child for preschool?

   It’s best to start introducing basic concepts around age 3-4, but formal preparation can begin at 5 years old, depending on your child’s readiness.

2. Can I use the ACE Curriculum if my child has no prior learning experience?

   Yes! The ACE Curriculum is designed to accommodate beginners and provides a step-by-step approach to learning.

3. What if my child struggles with certain concepts?

   Every child learns at their own pace. Be patient and try different teaching methods that cater to their learning style.

4. Are there online ACE learning resources available?

   Yes, several online platforms and homeschool groups share resources for ACE Curriculum users.

5. How do I balance play and structured learning?

   Incorporate learning through play by using interactive activities, games, and storytelling alongside structured lessons.