Are you struggling with home based learning activities for your preschooler? Keeping your child focused on a learning task at home may seem like an impossible feat. Fortunately for parents, there is no need to recreate a classroom setting at home or adhere to strict timetables. Studies have shown that pre-schoolers thrive in learning environments that are fun and creative with plenty of movement and self-directed play.

If you are wondering how to engage your preschooler meaningfully, here are four home-based learning activities that will keep your child thoroughly entertained and have you bonding as a family.

Going on a shape hunt!

Turn learning about shapes into a fun activity.

You will need a pair of child-friendly scissors, assorted coloured paper and some sticky(damage-free) tape.

• Guide your child in cutting out various shapes – triangles, rectangles, squares, circles.
• Then send them on a shape hunt around the house.
• Have them identify objects that match the shape cut-outs and then stick the cut-outs onto these objects e.g. a circle cut-out goes on a round clock.
• Once they have identified all the objects, go around the house to find these matching shapes together.

Cookie counting

Reinforce numeracy skills with baking. A simple easy-to-follow cookie recipe is a great place to start. Measure out the ingredients together and let your child scoop the mixture into baking cups – this will do wonders for their fine motor skills. Have them count out loud as they place the baked cookies into their favourite cookie jar. Then, sweeten the deal with some cookie eating post-activity!

Tower, tower in the hall, which is the tallest of them all?

Build the tallest and sturdiest tower! This fun activity teaches your child problem solving skills in a team setting.

You will need recycled materials like toilet rolls, ice-cream sticks, some sticky tape and an open space in the hall or living area.

• Group your kids together (if you have more than one) or team up with your child and brainstorm ways to make a tall, sturdy structure.
• Each tower must remain upright for one minute.
• Groups will have thirty minutes to build their tower.

After the activity, speak to your child about the challenges they faced and how they overcame each obstacle as a team. Don’t forget to take a group shot with their engineering marvel.

Role play as a family

A princess caught in a castle? Or a knight riding to war in his shining armour? If you are invited to a role-playing session with your child, just go with it! Whatever role your child assigns to you, step into their world and give them your undivided attention.

Self-directed play that allows your child to lead and assume different roles develops both their social and communication skills. Watch your kindergartner mediate pretend fights and resolve conflicts. Jump in at appropriate intervals to highlight and reinforce good behaviour and point out consequences for certain actions.