There are many natural ways to teach preschool math. Everyday activities, like cooking and grocery shopping involve mathematical concepts.

Parents may think counting and recognizing numbers are the nuts and bolts of preschool math. While these are important skills for young mathematicians to master, building a foundation for complex mathematical thinking begins in the early childhood years. Sorting and classifying objects helps children begin to notice how items are alike and different, and creates an awareness that is vital for math learning.

Launched in 2000, Homeschooling Parent is a bi-monthly publication focusing on stories of interest to homeschooling families, products, and ideas that assist parents teaching their children at home. Individual subscriptions are offered, as well as free group subscriptions for support groups or libraries.

This is a group of families involved in home education who have come together to support and encourage one another according to Christian principles and biblical guidelines. They work together to plan and organize group activities and provide a forum for the sharing of ideas, resources, methods, and information relating to home based instruction.

The Michael Olaf Montessori Company provides practical advice for using Montessori philosophy in all kinds of settings. "Montessori Materials" are not the most important aspect of this method of education. Too many objects in the classroom or home create what is commonly known as the "supermarket effect," which scatters the child's energy and interferes with concentration and optimum development. The list of essential materials offered by Michael Olaf grows intentionally shorter every year and everything is well tested. They focus on helping parents and teachers create simple, beautiful, educational environments that foster creativity, independence of thought and action, a positive self-image, joy, and a spirit of service to others and to the environment. They also offer two e-books, "The Joyful Child" and "Child of the World," discussing the Montessori method.

JUMP Math is a numeracy program. JUMP Math is dedicated to enhancing the potential in children by encouraging an understanding and a love of math in students and educators. JUMP Math replaces the self-fulfilling myth that some people are born with mathematical ability while others do not have the ability to succeed with assumptions that all children can be led to think mathematically. They offer educators, tutors and parents complete and balanced materials as well as training to help them reach all students. JUMP Math draws on the latest cognitive science research to build upon the best aspects of math programs from around the world to provide a unique combination of depth, careful scaffolding, continuous assessment and a variety of innovative instructional approaches. Many parents in Canada and the United States use JUMP Math to homeschool their children. In a homeschool, JUMP Math works by helping adults lead children through a tailored process of micro-teaching, guided discovery and practice that gradually extends student understanding. JUMP Math has found that children learn better when they feel admired and are confident they will not be allowed to fail. Teachers therefore communicate their belief that all students can learn, and reinforce this belief with frequent and specific encouragement. This creates a positive learning environment, which in turn leads to more academically focused behaviour.

Homeschool Social Register is a free networking service for homeschoolers. Individual homeschoolers can add themselves to lists organized by city, county, and state. The Register also helps you to find other homeschoolers and web sites that share your philosophy or interests.

Wonderful collection of humorous tidbits and articles. Tickle your funny bone here.

At the beginning of each school year, it would be a good time to have a field trip manners lesson with your support group. Parents and children alike sometimes need to think about what it’s like to be a docent or tour leader. Perhaps your group would even like to consider creating some field trip rules. The rules in this article are ten examples.

Mercy Academy is a K-12 independent study program for home educators, committed to home education as a way of preserving childhood innocence and nurturing Catholic scholars known for their deep spirituality and keen intellect. Services include: learning profile assessments, individualized curricula development, instruction in teaching to each child’s style of learning, student accountability program, counseling in multi-level teaching, subject integration allowing siblings to learn together, problem solving, record keeping, report cards, transcripts, diploma, and student clubs. Each year students study Religion, Language Arts, Math, Science, History, and one or two electives.