A dear friend of mine whose oldest daughter is the same age as mine, has a preschooler. She is a beautiful, sweet surprise that has added so much to her family’s lives. I count myself part of that family, and I can tell you: we all adore her. I watch her sweet mama do all the things mamas of littles do from day to day, and I can’t help but think I don’t have the energy for mothering small ones anymore!
Those days are precious, but they can be long. It can be hard to keep little ones entertained and even harder to keep up with all the things their little minds want to know about sometimes. They grow and change so fast. One day, it’s all about snack breaks, spontaneous dance parties, teaching life lessons through play, and making sure the living room doesn’t turn into a disaster zone. Then, out of nowhere, something changes. The little one who was perfectly happy stacking blocks for hours is now full of questions. And not just the easy ones like “What’s for dinner?” but instead, it’s those deep, mind-bending ones like: “Why do birds fly but dogs don’t?” “Do clouds get tired?” “Can I be a superhero when I grow up?”
Now, at first, it’s adorable. Then, it’s every single conversation. And suddenly, the same daily routine that used to keep them entertained isn’t cutting it anymore. They want more – more challenges, more answers, more things to figure out. And that’s when the thought hits: Maybe it’s time for something a little more structured.
When you notice the following changes, it might just be time to give their growing brain a little extra fuel.
Curiosity is at an All-Time High
Naturally, all kids are curious, right? But then there’s that next-level kind of curiosity, the kind that turns every walk outside into a science experiment and every bedtime story into a full-blown Q&A session.
When kids aren’t just playing but actively trying to figure things out, it is a big sign they’re craving more. They aren’t just asking why the sky is blue; they want to understand why it’s blue. They want to know how things work, what things mean, and if dinosaurs could somehow still be alive. So, that’s where structured learning comes in, giving them a space to explore their curiosity in a way that keeps them engaged instead of just overwhelming whoever happens to be answering their 500th question of the day.
They Can Actually Sit Through a Story
Let’s face it: toddlers are not known for their incredible attention spans. It’s just not something that’s really developed yet. One minute they’re sitting down for a story, the next they’re upside-down on the couch singing about spaghetti. But then, something shifts. Suddenly, they can sit through an entire book (without wandering off halfway through). They focus on a puzzle long enough to finish it. They spend more time on a single activity instead of bouncing between ten different things.
Increased attention spans are a huge clue that their brains are gearing up for more structured learning. If they can stick with something long enough to really engage, they’ll probably thrive in an environment where they get to build on that focus.
The “I Can Do It” Phase is in Full Swing
About the time toddlers hit two years old, a streak of independence starts to show, and it’s something that should be fostered. If a child suddenly starts refusing help with everything from putting on their shoes (on the wrong feet), pouring their own juice (and spilling it everywhere), to attempting to zip up their jackets (with sheer determination), then congratulations, they’ve hit the I can do it myself stage.
This newfound independence isn’t just about stubbornness (though, in all honesty, there’s some of that too). It’s a sign that kids are gaining confidence in their abilities and want to take on new challenges. I have been able to homeschool all of my children through this stage, but preschool programs can also help channel that independence in a way that keeps kids learning while still allowing them to feel in control.
Whether they go to preschool or you learn together at home, they get to make choices, problem-solve, and explore new skills, all with a little extra support when they need it.
They’re Actually Interested in Other Kids
For a while, young kids are totally fine doing their own thing, even when surrounded by other kids. Two toddlers sitting next to each other, stacking blocks in silence, completely uninterested in each other? Yeah, it’s totally normal. But then, something clicks. They start watching what other kids are doing, getting excited about playing together, and even sharing with each other.
If children start trying to make friends, enjoy group activities, or insist on playing with the “big kids,” they might be ready for a structured learning environment that encourages teamwork, communication, and social skills.
They Love a Good Routine
Have you ever tried skipping a kid’s bedtime routine? How about changing up the usual morning snack? Throwing a wrench into kids’ routines results in chaos.
Why? Because kids love knowing what comes next. There’s something comforting about predictable schedules: breakfast, playtime, snack, nap, repeat. When they start following routines at home without major meltdowns, that’s a good sign they’ll thrive in a learning environment where structured activities give them that same sense of stability.
As a homeschool mom, I can tell you that a routine is essential to success. It keeps them engaged while giving them the comfort of a daily rhythm they can count on.
They’re Ready for a New Challenge
At some point, kids start looking for more. They crave learning new things, figuring stuff out, and feeling that “I did it!” moment. Maybe they start pointing out letters on signs or counting everything in sight. Maybe they want to know how to spell their names. Maybe they ask for “homework” like the older kids have. Whatever it is, it’s their way of saying, “I’m ready for the next step.”
When kids hit this phase, structured learning isn’t just beneficial, it’s exciting for them. It gives them new things to discover, new challenges to tackle, and new ways to explore the world around them.
They Ask for Something “New”
Sometimes, the biggest sign a child is ready for more structured learning is that they tell you. Maybe they say they’re bored. Maybe they start gravitating toward older siblings and wanting to do what they’re doing. Maybe they flat-out say, “I want to learn something new!”
But basically, kids have a way of letting people know when they’re ready for the next step. And when those moments start adding up, it might just be time to introduce a little more structure into their learning world. Because confidence, independence, and a love for learning all start early, and when kids are given the right environment to grow, they don’t just learn, they thrive.
If you’re interested in homeschooling the preschool years or just adding a bit more structure to your child’s days, here are two of my favorite resources:
- Classical Conversations: I LOVE the Foundations curriculum and the classical approach to learning. We have been doing CC for three years, and I think the program is perfect for little ones. They will soak up information like sponges!
- My Father’s World: This is the homeschool curriculum I used when my kids were small, and I loved it! I love that the curriculum is cyclical (much like Classical Conversations, too) so kids of different ages can study the same things at the same time with different levels of understanding and depth.
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