Unschooling Kindergarten

Sue Patterson

Parents with 5 year olds. “Kindergarten Parents”. It’s almost a rite of passage for parents.
BUT maybe you’re not feeling that great about the idea of sending your kid off to Kindergarten.
OR maybe you know someone in this situation. 

They
want to unschool their child, but they're not sure what they're supposed to do.
They've had a TON of conditioning telling them to get that little one ready for school time - and that that they'll love kindergarten!

They (Maybe you?) have been convinced that Kindergarten is what you do.
It’s a required milestone. The.Next.Step.... like learning to walk or potty training.

But it's NOT a natural "next step."

It's the beginning of getting your child integrated into the system. Yes, they'll talk about letters and learning to read. They'll count to 100 and begin to sort. My guess is that you’re probably already doing that with them. 

What you’re NOT doing that they will have happen is school,

...is getting in trouble for not sitting in their seats for hours on end

...for talking excitedly to their new friends near them.

...Learning to wait quietly,  

..."Learning to conform to the system"
Those are big skills that for some reason... schools have decided are really important.


These little kids that need to run around and play tag and jump and climb - not sit still, or stand in line.
They need new experiences - not the same ole classroom.
They need places where they can be messy and noisy and they won’t get in trouble for that.
They still need to be hugged and comforted when disappointments happen or they don’t understand something or they get frustrated. They need snuggling and cuddling when you read to them. 

They need to engage with the world with their whole body, all their senses!

Kindergarten can’t allow for all that.
Too many kids.
Not enough grown ups - plus a system that really wants them to become good cogs in the wheel. 

I think sometimes we have rose-colored glasses on when we think about Kindergarten. Maybe we had sweet memories - or maybe we’re just hopeful. 

Life isn’t like that story we have in our heads. 

Sure, some people may need to send their kids to Kindergarten.
I'll be honest, it IS free child care. And if we weren’t doing that great of a job parenting, it might be a welcome idea.


But YOU! You’re listening to this podcast.

My guess is that you ARE connecting with your little kid and looking around for cool experiences they’d enjoy. Kindergarten in a school... it won’t be like that. 


What if you just skipped this year?

What if you bought them one more year of childhood?


Most states don’t even require Kindergarten when they set up their compulsory attendance laws.

So what if you took off those rose-colored glasses about kindergarten and you thought about what kinds of things could you do with your child so they could have all the benefits of those stories you have about Kinder - without the drawbacks?

Your little one needs more playtime.
He doesn't need to hit all the school benchmarks - they'll come as you play with them.

So... I made a list for you! A Free PDF with 55 things to do as you UNSCHOOL Kindergarten
Play is so important at this age - really ALL ages! I have several other podcasts about Play - I’ll link to them too.


So... I made a list for you!

A Free PDF with


55 things to do

as you

UNSCHOOL Kindergarten

Get This Free PDF!

Playing with Language Arts

  1. Do rhyming words. What rhymes with her favorite animals? or his name?
  2. Make easy words with magnet letters or bathtub sponge letters
  3. Play with tongue-twisters

Playing with Math

  1. Play with cards (remember "War?" - easy and fast. Or "Concentration")
  2. Sorting candy, M&Ms, Skittles, all Halloween candy - which is More? Which is less?
  3. Fold towels (it's Intro to Geometry!)


Playing with Science/Art

  1. Go on a hike and talking about the seasonal changes.
  2. Look for shapes in the clouds.
  3. Dig in the dirt
  4. Do science experiments in the sink


Multi-subject Activities

(well, they all are. But these are really noticeably not easily compartmentalized)

  1. Play Games ( Unschooler's Favorite Games )
  2. Make a cereal necklace
  3. Play with messy things - make an area for it, if you need to (Slime, Gak, Sand)
  4. Build with blocks, boxes, plastic containers


So grab the free PDF with 55 activities - with even MORE ideas! Or dive into my Pinterest Boards where I've been collecting cool things to do with kids for decades now!

I know it's really scary to do this... but maybe your little one needs more time with you.
They can hit all the school benchmarks by PLAYING with you!

School is nothing special.
They're just talking about the things
that you and and your child get to DO in real life!


I know. You want to do what’s best for them.

But what if what’s best is SKIPPING Kindergarten? 

Good news. You Don't Have to Do This Alone!

Sometimes it helps to be around other parents who are going this route. It's harder when you're surrounded by others who want to pursue the mainstream educational path. They often want to lean on parents who choose differently trying to get you back to conforming the way they do.

I host a Membership group that allows parents to connect with other unschoolers, get support, get coaching from me - plus members-only resources to help you create a strong unschooling foundation.

Yes! I Need This!

Even if you ONLY skip Kindergarten...

This could be an incredible year for you and your child.

It’s worth considering, right? 


Reach out if you need to talk about it.
I’ll put links in the shownotes for you.

And I’ll be back next week.

~Sue


By Sue Patterson 13 Apr, 2024
If you're looking into unschooling, it's not unusal to wonder, "How DO unschoolers learn school subjects?" or "How will they learn what they need to be successful adults if you don't go out a buy all the curriculum in all the typical subjects." The word, "successful," is going to mean different things to different people. Maybe it's about getting into college, or finding a good career. Maybe it's more about personal happiness - and the ability to fund that themselves. Last week, I hosted a free webinar for about a hundred people wondering this same thing. It's up at the Unschooling Mom2Mom YouTube channel now - please subscribe! We talked about the actual subjects that weave into a variety of everyday activities for kids. I have visuals and handouts - all the things to help you get more comfortable with this concept when you hop over to the description at the YouTube channel. (If you registered for the webinar, check you email inbox for the links.)
By Sue Patterson 02 Apr, 2024
Sue Patterson shares what's wrong with hanging onto a little curriculum - when you'd like to full benefit of unschooling!
By Sue Patterson 19 Mar, 2024
How do Unschooling Parents find each other? Sue Patterson shares 4 ways that work!
By Sue Patterson 09 Mar, 2024
Let's talk about "Screen Time." We need to shift our conversation with the kids about their love for technology and electronics.
How much is too much technology?
By Sue Patterson 04 Mar, 2024
How much IS too much - when it comes to gaming and surfing the web? Especially if you're going to unschool! Sue Patterson shares strategies for how to tackle the technology in your home!
By Sue Patterson 14 Feb, 2024
What's the big takeaway when an unschooling mom looks back? Lean into the Love. Originally written in 2012, and now updated for 2024, Sue Patterson share's what she wish she had known... way back when.
5 Signs it's time to Unschool
By Sue Patterson 08 Feb, 2024
5 Signs that it may be time for you to start unschooling! Whether you've been homeschooling and it's not working out as planned, or you're looking for alternatives to public schools, here are 5 Signs it may be time to start homeschooling from an unschooling perspective.
By Sue Patterson 23 Jan, 2024
Social media is in a flurry about the Pythagorean Theorem... why we learn it, how we learn it, what's the point? So I decided to ask my Robot Friend how DO we use the Pythagorean Theorem in real life. I think you'll be surprised!
By Sue Patterson 21 Jan, 2024
While no unschooling family would be considered "typical," a few characteristics are common for those who successfully unschool. Sue Patterson solves the mystery and shares what a few of these traits are. Perfect for those who are trying to figure out how to unschool or are looking for how to create a homeschooling routine.
Create a Reverse Bucket List - brainstorming on paper with Post-its
By Guest Blogger 04 Jan, 2024
Spend a little time with family creating your own "reverse bucket list" - identifying and celebrating accomplishments from this past year!
More Posts
Share by: