I am beyond grateful for Cash’s Pre-school teachers and the experience he had his first year. He was the youngest kid in the building and he came out walking and talking like a Kindergartener… He still has 2 more years before he actually gets to go to Kindergarten though, since he’s still only three. In my humble opinion, I think he was prepared to start Pre-K so young because we had set up a Toddler Classroom at home, The Mess Mat, which many of you followed on Instagram with our Sensory Play and beginning developmental lessons.
Since Cash had entered Pre-K we really pulled back on the academic lessons at home so as not to overwhelm him. We did a lot more art and science while leaving the reading and writing to his new teachers. This change in my goals leads to a change in our Home School Classroom. In fact, now that Wyatt is also older, no longer a Mess Mat Baby, we’re graduating to bigger pieces of kid furniture. Many of these items overlap our previous Mess Mat structure, but they’ve been adjusted as you’ll see…
Setting up your Home School Classroom for Kids
Goodbye Toddler School! {as I cry a few soft tears acknowledging that my babies have outgrown it} and Hello to the Kid-Friendly version of a Home School Classroom where these Pre-K giants are free to roam the house and express themselves as they please… intellectually of course.
Art Easel | Chalk Board & Dry Erase
I requested this Art Easel for Christmas from the grandparents and it has not disappointed. We use it everywhere. Last summer for our Composting unit I moved it outside so the boys could paint their garden discoveries. Now that they’re older we use it to write names and words. I love that it is 2-sided for them and it is so lightweight that I can move it around all day!
4-Chair Teaching Table
Graduating from The Mess Mat brought us up off the floor and onto a Teaching Table. We’ve found a pretty awesome spot in front of our window to keep it. The boys do quite a bit here during the day and we’ve deemed in our Social Studies Center 😉
Lap Desks
Occasionally we’re still on the floor, especially Wyatt. On the wall, I have a nice big Letter Line from Dollar Tree with the Alphabet and call it the Writing Center. The boys will use the Lap Desks with the Floor Seat {see below} and post up to do a writing activity. Our Easel is stationed in front of the Alphabet Letter Line too most of the day!
Floor Seat Back Rest
This beauty is a relic from our Mess Mat days where I would use it to be on the floor for Sensory Play. But now, since they’re so grown up, the boys prefer to use it in the Writing Station. They also use it to watch their Guitar Lesson Videos! I’m pretty glad I bought mine a few years ago. Everyone sort of looked at me funny when I asked for one, but as soon as they come over… it’s pretty obvious how much I’ve used it and how much it’s saved my back!
Supplies Storage Tower & Containers
My ultimate appreciation goes to my storage containers. These beauties have helped keep me sane for many years including those BK. {before kids} I use the storage tower in the former Mess Mat area which is now known as the Art Center to store all of our art supplies. The absolute best feature is that each individual drawer closes so that the supplies can travel around the house contained. The lid stays shut while the boys bring it over to the table or take it outside, etc.
Storage Bins
If you ever come over to my house you’ll see a ton of these, everywhere. I probably own 100+ and use them in the bathrooms, my office, the closets, everywhere. I love how the provide the perfect nesting area to stack them so they can stack high and still be controlled. If I had to pick one organizational favorite of mine for overall life organizing, it would be these bins! *And don’t forget your label maker! 😉
These products are all amazing and are available on Amazon. I obviously use them daily and am glad to review them on my own with my completely genuine opinion. I have included my Amazon Affiliate links to all of these products so that you too may begin building your Home Classroom environment. Thank you for reading!
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Join us in Toddler School!
Father’s Day is just around the corner and your special dude obviously needs a new Dad Mug. Dad Mugs are the perfect way to give him that sarcastic, proud, or even simple iconic coffee cup that sums him up in a quick proclamation. I jumped on Etsy {where else?} to pull for you some awesomely Father-worthy Dad Mugs he might like. I know mine would!
Sawdust is Man Glitter
These Colors Don’t Run
‘Merica Donut
This is my Camping Mug
Reading is something that we all know we should do with our kids. It’s always super fun, right? Well… sometimes my kids don’t want to sit and read. Despite our pretty awesome and inspiring 
