Ep. 137 - How to Homeschool Pre-K to 2nd Grade Without Constant Battles | Focus, Behavior & Meltdowns | Smooth Days Part 1

Is your five-year-old refusing to do their letters, or is your seven-year-old melting down over a single phonics page? In Part 1 of the Smooth Homeschool Days series, homeschool expert Christy-Faith explains why most of what looks like a behavior problem in kids ages 4 to 7 is really brain development — and how to homeschool pre-K to 2nd grade without constant battles. 🎁 Free Resource: Sample Homeschool Schedules Wondering how much school is really enough? See what real homeschool days look like with my free sample schedules. 👉 Free Download In this episode, you’ll learn: Why most “behavior problems” in kids ages 4–7 are really brain development Attention span by age — how long young kids can really focus on assigned work Why a 4-year-old can only hold about two pieces of information at once (and how to give instructions that stick) The “yesterday vs. today” problem — and what’s really behind it Why young kids need to move while they learn, plus the “upside-down kid” test Co-regulation: why young kids can’t calm themselves down yet Refusal vs. meltdown — a 60-second protocol and the 3 types of meltdowns How long to homeschool each day from pre-K to 2nd grade Sponsors: BJU Press Homeschool ✔ Flexible curriculum to fit your family’s needs ✔ Biblical worldview and critical thinking built in ✔ Hands-on learning for every grade level 👉 View Samples CTC Math ✔ Get 50% off my favorite online math program ✔ Adaptive lessons so kids build confidence at their own pace ✔ Teaching, grading, and testing — all done for you! 👉 Free Trial 👉 Get 50% Off LearningRx ✔ Backed by 35 years of research ✔ Real long-term help with ADHD and dyslexia ✔ Strengthens attention, memory, reading, writing, and math Use code HOME50 for $50 off your cognitive skills assessment 👉 Get $50 Off Your Cognitive Skills Assessment Summit Healthshare ✔ Save 40–60% vs. traditional health insurance ✔ See any doctor — no networks, no permission slips ✔ Free labs, office visits, prescriptions on select plans 👉 View Health Plans and Savings Resources mentioned: The Christy-Faith List — Find homeschool-friendly businesses and providers Thrive Homeschool Community — Christy-Faith’s membership community for homeschool moms Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University — Research on executive function, including attention, working memory, and self-control Wiley Blevins — Early literacy expert and author of A Fresh Look at Phonics ⭐ New to homeschooling? Start with Episode 101 — the New Homeschooler Series is the best place to begin. Connect with Christy-Faith: Instagram: @christy_faith_ TikTok: @christy_faith Website: christy-faith.com Book: Homeschool Rising 🎧 Love the show? Follow, subscribe, and leave a review wherever you listen — it helps more homeschool families find us! (00:00) - Welcome to the Smooth Homeschool Days Series (01:30) - When “Bad Behavior” Is Really Biology (03:52) - The 3 Brain Pillars Under Construction (04:25) - Attention Span by Age for Assigned Work (06:47) - Working Memory: Give One Step at a Time (09:47) - Inhibitory Control and the Yesterday vs. Today Problem (14:24) - Why Young Kids Need to Move While They Learn (19:34) - Co-Regulation: Why Kids Can’t Calm Down Alone (23:08) - The 3 Biggest Predictors of Self-Regulation (26:13) - Refusal vs. Meltdown: Know the Difference (28:02) - The 60-Second Protocol for Refusals (32:09) - The 3 Types of Meltdowns (36:19) - From Behavior Cop to Behavior Detective (41:58) - How Much School Pre-K to 2nd Grade Really Needs (44:03) - Mastery Over Exposure (44:37) - Final Thought: Grace for Your Kids and Yourself