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SUMMARY

She thought preschool meant worksheets and flashcards.

In this freeing and practical episode, Christy-Faith sits down with child development expert and homeschooling mom Kathy Eggers to challenge the myth that “real” learning only happens at a desk. With decades of experience as a teacher, administrator, and author of The Homegrown Preschooler and A Year of Playing Skillfully, Kathy reveals why play is not a distraction from academics; it’s the very foundation of them.

From the science showing kids master concepts 20x faster through play than through drills, to the surprising role of mud pies, fairy houses, and pretend kitchens in developing executive function and emotional regulation, this episode offers both encouragement and concrete strategies.

If you’ve ever felt guilty about not doing enough “schoolwork” with your preschooler, or overwhelmed by the mess that comes with play, Kathy and Christy-Faith bring relief: you don’t need to replicate school at home. You need to love, connect, and make space for wonder.

Because at the end of the day, connection with your child is greater than any curriculum you’ll ever buy.

SHOW SPONSORS

Homeschooling Preschool: Why Play Builds Brains and Connection

Worksheets don’t make preschoolers smarter, play does.

Host: Christy-Faith, author of Homeschool Rising and founder of Thrive Homeschool Community.
Guest: Kathy Eggers, author of The Homegrown Preschooler and A Year of Playing Skillfully

Episode Summary

Most moms assume that “real” education starts with worksheets, flashcards, and structured seatwork. But what if the opposite is true?

In this episode, Christy-Faith sits down with Kathy Eggers, a child development expert with over 30 years of experience, to explore why play is the foundation of learning. Kathy reveals how neural pathways form 20 times faster through play than rote memorization, why executive function grows in pretend kitchens more than in workbooks, and how connection with your child matters more than any curriculum you will ever buy.

This conversation is both freeing and practical. You will learn how to manage the mess, how to reframe preschool from pressure to joy, and why letting kids color outside the lines might be the smartest thing you do.

Key Takeaways

• Play builds brains. Neural connections form 20 times faster than with worksheets.
• Pretend play develops problem-solving and executive function skills.
• Messy play does not have to overwhelm. You can create “places and spaces” for it.
• Preschoolers do not need seatwork. They need experiences, connection, and wonder.
• Education is not just content. It is the cultivation of a whole human being.
• Connection with your child is greater than any curriculum you will ever buy.

Why Play Isn’t “Just Play”

Flashcards may look like learning, but the science says otherwise. A child may need up to 400 repetitions to grasp a concept through rote memorization but only 10 to 20 repetitions through play. Play engages every part of the brain. It turns abstract ideas into lived experiences, building skills that last a lifetime.

Pretend kitchens, mud pies, and building fairy houses are not distractions from learning. They are learning. They teach problem-solving, fine motor skills, and emotional regulation, all the foundations kids need before academics even make sense.

Homeschooling as Connection, Not Curriculum

Too often, moms feel guilty that they are “not doing enough” in preschool. But Kathy and Christy-Faith remind us that love and presence matter far more than perfectly curated lesson plans. Preschoolers do not need structured seatwork. They need connection, wonder, and space to play.

As Kathy puts it: “If it hasn’t been in the hand, it’s not going to be in the brain.” Experiences anchor learning. Coloring outside the lines, mixing Play-Doh, or jumping in puddles are how kids learn resilience, creativity, and problem-solving.

Practical First Steps

• Rethink the mess. Create dedicated “places and spaces” for sensory play so you can say yes more often.
• Facilitate, don’t dictate. Ask open-ended questions and let kids lead the play.
• See education in daily life. Sorting socks is math, cooking is science, and conversations are language arts.
• Reframe guilt. Preschool does not need seatwork. It needs your presence.
• Find your people. Homeschooling littles is easier with community and encouragement.

Resources Mentioned

• BJU Press Homeschool — structure + flexibility with a biblical worldview.
• CTC Math — K–12 online math with adaptive lessons.
• LearningRx — cognitive skills training for ADHD, dyslexia, and more (use code HOME50)
• Lovevery Reading Skill Set — phonics taught with games.
• Thrive Homeschool Community — mentorship, expert guidance, and friendships that last.
• The Homegrown Preschooler and A Year of Playing Skillfully by Kathy Eggers

Notable Quotes

“Preschoolers don’t need a curriculum. It’s just true. They don’t. They need play.” – Kathy Eggers

“… connection between you and them is greater than any curriculum you will ever ever buy.” – Kathy Eggers

“If it hasn’t been in the hand, it’s not gonna be in the brain.” – Kathy Eggers

“… education is not content. That’s not an education. At its very core, an education is the cultivation of a human being.” – Christy-Faith