Is My 4-Year-Old Ready for Homeschool?
Simple Ways to Learn and Play / Foundations for Early Learning
Four-year-olds are like little sponges learning about the world around them. It's a magical age of discovery and if you're considering homeschooling, you're probably wondering how to best support their ever-increasing abilities. The good news is: Four is a fantastic age to start introducing more structured learning, especially in the areas of letters, numbers, and maybe even early phonics.
If you've been laying the groundwork with play-based learning and early literacy activities, you're already on the right track! If not, don't worry - it's never too late to begin. This post will guide you through age-appropriate activities and approaches to help your four-year-old thrive in a homeschool environment. If you are looking for tips for younger children, I have articles on homeschooling a 2-year-old and a 3-year-old.
What Changes at 4?
Four-year-olds are developing greater focus, improved fine motor skills, and a growing understanding of cause and effect. This means they can handle slightly longer activities, participate in more complex games, and start grasping foundational academic concepts. Communication is key. If your child is still developing communication, language, and understanding, you may want to address that first. I have some great resources to help you with that at the bottom of the page.
This is a prime time to introduce early literacy skills. Research shows that early exposure to phonological awareness (the ability to hear and manipulate the sounds in words) is a strong predictor of later reading success. But remember, every child develops at their own pace, so flexibility is key.
Daily 4-Year-Old Homeschool Targets
At this age, you can aim for a balance of structured learning and playful exploration, covering these core areas:
✅ Reading - Longer story times, interactive reading with questions about characters and plot, and maybe beginning to identify some sight words.
✅ Phonics (If Ready) - Introducing letter sounds through games, songs, and hands-on activities. If you’re unsure how to do this on your own, use a basic daily phonics course and reinforce what you learn in the lesson during play each day.
✅ Writing - Practicing pre-writing skills like tracing letters and shapes, and encouraging drawing and storytelling.
✅ Math - Counting to 20 (or higher), recognizing numbers, exploring basic shapes, and introducing simple addition and subtraction concepts through play
✅ Singing & Music - Songs that reinforce letter sounds, rhyming, and counting
✅ Pretend Play - Encouraging imaginative play with props and scenarios that promote problem-solving and social skills
✅ Concept Exploration - Expanding on science, nature, and social studies concepts through hands-on activities and real-world experiences
✅ Fine Motor Skills - Activities like puzzles, building blocks, using scissors, and lacing cards to develop dexterity
✅ Outdoor Time - Ample time for running, jumping, climbing, and exploring nature to promote gross motor development
✅ Routines & Independence - Continuing to encourage self-care tasks, helping with chores, and fostering a sense of responsibility. Learning that “school time” is a time to respect
Practical Tips
Dive into Letters and Numbers
Four is an ideal age to make letters and numbers a regular part of your child's day. Use a variety of methods:
Alphabet Puzzles and Magnetic Letters: Make learning tactile and fun.
Counting Games: Use everyday objects to count, sort, and compare quantities.
Number and Letter hunts: Hide foam, paper, or magnetic numbers and letters around a room or outside.
Books, Books, Books: Choose books with engaging illustrations and repetitive text to build familiarity with letters and words.
Introduce Phonics Gently
Phonics is an effective way to help children learn to read, especially for children between the ages of 4 and 7 so it’s time to start thinking about it. If your child shows interest in letter sounds, start with a gentle phonics approach. Focus on one or two sounds per week, using games, songs, and activities that make it enjoyable. The NICDH’s National Reading Panel on teaching children to read suggests that kids who receive direct instruction in phonics have better reading success. This direct instruction, combined with the rich language experience of being read to, helps build a strong foundation for literacy. So read to your kid, with your kid, and in front of them for the best outcomes.
(If you’re looking for a good resource for phonics, check out this free simple 120-lesson program by ReadtoYourKid. I’ve been following along as she put it all together it’s turning out to be a valuable resource!)
Keep it Short and Sweet
While 4-year-olds can focus for longer periods than most 3-year-olds, short, engaging activities are still the most effective. Aim for 15-30 minute sessions, with plenty of play and movement mixed in.
Embrace Real-World Learning
Learning happens everywhere! Involve your child in everyday tasks that reinforce academic concepts:
Cooking: Measuring ingredients (math), following instructions (sequencing).
Grocery Shopping: Identifying letters and numbers on signs and labels.
Nature Walks: Observing plants and animals (science), counting leaves or rocks (math).
Foster Independence
Encourage your child to take on age-appropriate responsibilities, like setting the table, helping with laundry, or tidying up their toys. This builds confidence and self-reliance.
Should You Start a Formal Curriculum?
It's completely up to you! Some 4-year-olds thrive with a structured curriculum, while others prefer a more play-based approach. There's no right or wrong answer so long as you are finding balance. If you are worried your child is behind, there is research out there that children learn just as well with a more playful method. As of 2018 (and reaffirmed in in Jan 2025) the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends learning through play to enhance learning.
If you decide to use a curriculum, choose one that:
✅ Emphasizes hands-on activities
✅ Includes short, engaging lessons (no more than 20-30 minutes)
✅ Covers phonics, early reading, and math concepts (numbers 1-20, basic shapes)
✅ Integrates play and movement
Remember, you can always start a curriculum and pause if it's not a good fit. Or, you can wait until later in the year, or even until age five. The most important thing is to follow your child's lead and create a learning environment that is both stimulating and enjoyable.
Making It Work for Your Family
Homeschooling a 4-year-old is an exciting year as they start to see what learning is all about but are still mesmerized by play and adventure. By blending structured learning with plenty of play, you can help your child develop a love for learning that will last a lifetime. Focus on building strong foundational skills in literacy and math, and most importantly, have fun!
Thanks for reading! To help you visualize what a homeschool day might look like for a four-year-old, I'll be adding a separate post with sample activities. Check it out!
Welcome to TimeTrek Learning!
This is where I share general insights and strategies from my own family’s experience and from working with other homeschoolers. Every child’s journey looks different, but these principles can apply across the board. If you’d like to see more, follow along on 𝕏 TimeTrekFam for daily updates and general shenanigans and click below to subscribe for free on Substack for the real content!