Let early learning be child-centered and developmentally appropriate. Don’t rush into formal academics; instead, explore your children’s interests through picture books and real-life experiences. Preschoolers don’t need to do any sit-down, written work; let them master pre-writing skills through drawing and crafts, and teach concepts through play, discussion, and games.

Provide your children the opportunity to succeed by allowing plenty of practice with new skills and concepts through repetition. Repetition strengthens and reinforces learning.

Most importantly, disciple your children in the ways of the Lord. Introduce favorite Bible stories and themes of the Bible, and use them to teach simple doctrinal truths like God loves me, God made me, Jesus is God’s son, and so on. Teach, practice, and train to develop good habits, manners and morals.

Parents who endeavor to do these things need never fear that they are not providing enough for their children. In fact, they are providing the very best for their children. No educational toy, preschool program, or expert preschool teacher can provide the love, individualized attention, and discipleship training loving parents can. I know this from first-hand experience--I used to be one of those expert preschool teachers. When I was on playground duty, children would gather around me to talk or be held. I loved those children; but that love in no way compares to the love I have for my own children. After the first of my four was born, I realized that as a preschool teacher, I was nothing more than a poor substitute for Mom.  Those children weren’t gathered around me because I was such a wonderful teacher; they were simply hungry for love and attention--the kind of love and attention they should have received from their own parents. Much of their day was spent in loneliness and confusion.

Don’t let the messages of the world make you doubt your decision to disciple your children at home. Stand firm in the face of the expert’s advice. Your children will never need anyone or anything more than they need you. Let them have the love, time, and attention of their own parents. That’s all they really need.

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Susan Lemons and her husband have been married for 23 years, and have homeschooled their four children (ages 19, 15, 6 and 4) from birth. Susan has earned both Associate and Bachelor Degrees in Child Development, and serves the homeschooling community as a mentor, first contact for new homeschoolers, and conference speaker.

This article was originally published in the Mar/Apr ‘07 issue of Home School Enrichment Magazine. For more information, visit http://HomeSchoolEnrichment.com