Simple Starter Preschool Schedule

The toddler years are so fun and full of learning, but that curiosity can make it hard to actually teach! The best way to get a handle on it and stay consistent is to build a schedule. Here are some flexible timing ideas and tips for what to include when creating your own preschool at home schedule.

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Good Morning 30-45 Minutes

Incorporate your morning routine first thing. Ours includes changing (clothes/potty) then breakfast with an educational cartoon. You’ll want to allow 30-45 minutes for this section of your preschool schedule.  Adding this in will help tour child transition easier because it it something you’ve already been doing.

Wiggle Time 20 Minutes

Movement helps to stimulate the brain and since your child has been sleeping for a long time, it’s good to start the learning day off with getting some wiggles out to help them focus. This can be indoor or outdoor. Incorporate songs and hand movements, do a dance, toddler yoga, hopscotch etc. This time frame should be about 20 minutes including transition time to the next section of your preschool schedule.

Academic Lesson 10-20 Minutes

This time is for going over the main concepts of thw day. It could include letter, number, color, or shape of the day; it could include flashcards, calendar and themed unit concepts. Regardless, this is the time to introduce new topics. Depending on your child’s attention span, explicitly teaching a lesson can vary in length. My advice is to keep it short, simple, and to the point then expand on the concepts during centers in the next section.

Quick Snack Break 5 Minutes

This is just a brain food boost that can be done during the transition time to centers or while you are setting up!

Centers 45-60 minutes

Here is where you can make learning more fun and engaging! There are many ways to create centers. Some ideas include separate baskets for each, different areas with required supplies, laminated cards with center title/pictures to cue rotations, etc. Within centers I usually incorporate and activity to practice each new concept, plus a review of concepts from the previous lesson. Below are some weekly supplemental preschool resources to get you started!

Preschool Resources – Week 1

Lunch/Recess

My toddler is just starting her preschool journey so half a day works best for us! While working at a daycare/preschool, I noticed that the morning was the best time for structured learning, so if you are going to do the whole day, make sure to give more time for free play in the afternoon.

As a former daycare, preschool and elementary school educator, I know how important early exposure to learning is for success in school. I hope this flexible schedule and ideas for preschool at home make it easier for both you and your little one!

For more schedule and routine info check out my friends’ blogs below:

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