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Infants +
Preschool

Birth to 5 Years Old

Homeschooling Infants, Toddlers,
+ Preschoolers

Most new parents are not thinking about school choice, but it's the perfect time to start investigating options before feeling the pressure of the first day of kindergarten in public schools! Homeschooling infants and toddlers means starting with the non-verbal, sensory, experiential activities we do with kids every day. Developmentally, 0-2 year olds are looking for physical, emotional, and relational security and trust in caregivers: close, attached parental bonds. The development of trust in close humans enables the human brain to build neurons and synaptic connections in the brain: feel curious, explore the environment and one's own body, develop language and relational communication. Infancy is all about trust in others. The reassurance of a secure base for a child to come back to as a "home plate" when exploring and learning is essential. The more secure and safe a child feels, the more open to exploration they are. Object permanence, or constancy, develops between the ages of 2-3, when little ones can separate from parents knowing that parents exist when they are out of sight. The years of time staying connected build trust in others, which enables trust in self later.

Toddlerhood and preschool is about trust in self - the development of autonomy: "I can do it!" That's the phrase we want to hear from our preschoolers about the potty, their zippers and buttons, their socks and shoes and toothbrushes. "No!" and "I do it myself!" Expressions of autonomy in toddlers (and teens!) can be exhilarating and frustrating for parents. Use the drive for autonomy to your advantage. Turn your sails, catch their powerful wind, and let it steer the boat towards learning that happens naturally.

Parent friendships are an important part of homeschooling infants and toddlers. We need connections with other likeminded adults to prepare emotionally and logistically for the years to come. AnySchoolers social pods for parents of infants and toddlers gives you an opportunity to meet and build friendships with people you might otherwise never meet during your child's infancy and toddler years!

Girl Eating Marshmallows

Small Group Social Pods

for Infants and Preschoolers

Children 0-5 years old participate in three types of play: parallel play, social play, and cooperative play. In parallel play, children play side-by-side, engaging in similar activities but not with one another. This is a great time for caregivers to get to know one another! 

If you have an 0 - 18 month old, a group will really be about meeting other parents with children your infant's age! The early it's not too early to join a group where babies will parallel play and develop their relationships and brains together while you make adult friends to collaborate and share ideas with! In social play, they begin sharing and making eye contact and connecting with one another (and disagreeing with one another). If you have existing relationships with other parents, these connections and squabbles will be easy to navigate together. It's a perfect time to start a group too because the next and final stage of social development for 0-5 year olds is cooperative play: children take on complementary roles and have mutually agreed upon goals. This is where the friendship, comradery and vicarious learning of childhood happens!

In a social pod, a small group of homeschooling families who are joined together in friendship by AnySchoolers, you and other adults can work together to give your children meaningful friendships from the beginning of life. You can do shared learning experiences, sign up for classes together, go to children's museums or the zoo together, have parties and get togethers, meet up in coffee shops and go to movies, or simply have a virtual meeting regularly to connect and talk about homeschooling babies and preschoolers with other parents who plan to keep their children in home education.

Events for Infant + Preschool Families

Check out the Official Calendar and Unofficial Calendar for even more fantastic events!

  • Spring Equinox Celebration
    Thu, Mar 23
    Cave Springs Park
    Mar 23, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM CDT
    Cave Springs Park, 8701 E Gregory Blvd, Raytown, MO 64133, USA
    Join us at Cave Springs Park for the turn of the season!
  • Kanga Indoor Playcenter Meet up!
    Mon, Mar 27
    Kanga's Indoor Playcenter and Cafe
    Mar 27, 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
    Kanga's Indoor Playcenter and Cafe, 19700 E Jackson Dr, Independence, MO 64057, USA
    Let's meet up at this new indoor playcenter! Designed for children 1-11 years, kids will be entertained for hours- they can run, climb, jump and slide their way through the incredible play space.
  • Kansas City: Alpaca Show!
    Fri, Mar 31
    American Royal Hale Arena
    Mar 31, 10:00 AM
    American Royal Hale Arena, 1701 American Royal Ct, Kansas City, MO 64102, USA
    "The annual shows offer fun for the whole family! Visitors will find hundreds of alpacas, many vendors who sell products made from alpacas, and demonstrations of spinning and other fiber arts."
  • Spring Casual Recess Meetup (Rosedale Park, Central in the Metro)
    Mar 31, 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM CDT
    Rosedale Park, 4100 Mission Rd, Kansas City, KS 66103, USA
    Playtime with friends at the playgrounds of the Kansas City Metro!
  • Messy Art & Science - West
    Multiple Dates
    Mon, Apr 03
    Antioch Park
    Apr 03, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
    Antioch Park, 6501 Antioch Rd, Merriam, KS 66202, USA
    Join us to get messy exploring art and science while enjoying the outdoors with friends!
  • Messy Art & Science - North
    Multiple Dates
    Mon, Apr 03
    English Landing Park
    Apr 03, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
    English Landing Park, 8701 McAfee St, Parkville, MO 64152, USA
    Join us to get messy exploring art and science while enjoying the outdoors with friends!
  • Messy Art & Science - East
    Multiple Dates
    Mon, Apr 03
    Charles David Hartman Memorial Park
    Apr 03, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
    Charles David Hartman Memorial Park, 700 SW Pryor Rd, Lee's Summit, MO 64081, USA
    Join us to get messy exploring art and science while enjoying the outdoors with friends!
  • Egg Hunt and Egg Smash Party
    Thu, Apr 06
    Grassy Area of Kessler Park by KC Museum
    Apr 06, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM CDT
    Grassy Area of Kessler Park by KC Museum, 3218 Gladstone Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64123, USA
  • Spring Field Day @ the Nelson-Atkins Lawn and Labyrinth
    Thu, Apr 20
    The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
    Apr 20, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM CDT
    The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, 4525 Oak St, Kansas City, MO 64111, USA
    Relay races, group games, silly fun, and friends! The Nelson-Atkins' lawn is a gorgeous spot for running, potato sack jumping, egg and spoon races and obstacle courses!!