Homeschooling Young Spellers
Homeschooling a Young Speller (Under Age 7)? Here's What It Can Look Like:
Are you homeschooling a child under 7—especially one who is a speller? Homeschooling at this age looks quite different from how it might for older students. Young children, particularly spellers, often benefit from a flexible, play-based, and sensory-rich approach to learning.
Here’s what a typical homeschool day looks like for my 5-year-old speller:
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Plenty of free play
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Hands-on sensory activities
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Therapy sessions
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Spelling practice
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“Kinder Lessons for Spellers”
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Early math and language arts
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Family-style lessons in history and science
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Outdoor time—like park visits or backyard play
In total, she spends about 1 to 1.5 hours on “school” activities each day, in addition to therapy sessions a few times a week. Some days we do more, some less. And “school” doesn’t always mean sitting at a desk—sometimes it's a yoga video or cooking together in the kitchen!
Tips for Making Homeschooling a Young Speller Successful
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Set a rhythm—and hold it loosely.
Establishing a daily routine helps your speller know what to expect, while also giving you clarity and direction. But remember, flexibility is key. Life happens, and young learners need space to explore and regulate. -
Use short bursts of focused learning.
Keep lessons brief and engaging. Little ones thrive when learning is done in manageable chunks, especially when balanced with play and movement. -
Incorporate sensory input.
Combine academics with tactile or sensory-rich experiences. This supports both learning and emotional regulation. -
Prioritize input over output.
Focus on providing rich, meaningful learning experiences rather than expecting lots of written work or responses. High-quality input lays the foundation for future learning. -
Use high-cognition learning moments.
Tap into your child’s natural curiosity and intellect. This helps with self-regulation and makes learning feel rewarding and exciting.
Want to see what this looks like in action? Try our first week of “Kinder Lessons for Spellers”—completely FREE! It’s a great way to experience how these ideas come to life in your homeschool day. Access week 1 HERE!
