There was a time that I was terrified of teaching kindergarten. It didn’t matter how good the homeschool curriculum for kindergarten was, I just didn’t want to do it.
It was much easier to send the kids to school for kindergarten and first grade. Then once they had the basics down, I would bring them home and homeschool them. I didn’t need to worry about finding the best homeschool curriculum for kindergarten.
Then it happened, I officially became a Covid homeschooler. I was already homeschooling my oldest 3, but number 4 was in school for kindergarten , and I had a preschooler and an infant. Then we all remember what happened. Suddenly, everyone was a homeschooler, and my best laid plans for sending kids to school for the early grades came to a screeching halt.
I finished out number 4’s kindergarten as a Covid homeschooler. Then I faced the dilemma of what to do for first grade.
Then as it continued to linger, I faced a greater dilemma. Do I send number 5 to school for kindergarten? And if I didn’t send him to school, then I would need to homeschool him. I was not mentally prepared for this at all. I was truly terrified of teaching kindergarten. But just had to put my big girl pants on and do what I needed to do.
Fast forward three yeas, and number 5 made it through kindergarten, and I am about to add number 6 to the homeschool pool. Yes, I will be teaching her kindergarten. And you know what I discovered, it is not that terrifying.
Yes, you can homeschool kindergarten, very easily actually. It is possible to teach your kids how to read and the basics of counting. It does help to have the best homeschool curriculum for kindergarten.
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How Time Should be Spent Homeschooling Kindergarten
This is the big question I see from all new homeschooling moms. You want to cover all the topics and give your kids the best education possible. All homeschoolers do Algebra by third grade. Right?
Then you discover something that throws all of your expectations, hopes, and dreams off. Your child has a really short attention span. But here’s the good news, all kids do at this age. Don’t try to force it out your kids, work with it.
One of the goals of any homeschool is to teach our kids to love learning, or at least know how to learn. This is the age where you want to cultivate that. Your school time shouldn’t be a dread for you or your child.
Time spent on school at this age should be about 30 minutes to an 1 hour, broken up throughout the day.
What Should You Teach for Homeschool Kindergarten
I know what you’re thinking. If school is only 30 minutes, then how can I possibly teach all the subjects? The short answer is you don’t. And that’s the good news too. You don’t need to teach all the subjects.
You only need to really focus on two—reading and math.
If you want to teach other things that’s great, but do it because you both enjoy it. It doesn’t need to be out of an obligation to do it. I have added more subjects to our kindergarten work, but when I’m feeling overwhelmed, I just tell myself, “we only need to do reading and math.”
I do have older kids, so I have added busy work to our kindergarten because little hands need to be occupied. But it hasn’t been a drag. If it ever reached the point of us hating it then I would ditch it.
Younger kids want to be like the older kids. My youngest can’t wait to start school, so she can finally be like the older ones.
All in One Homeschool Curriculum for Kindergarten
I am a huge proponent of using all the tools available to homeschool. Whether you are homeschooling online, using video based curriculum or homeschool all in one curriculum. We need to use the tools that are available to us as work from home and homeschool moms.
That’s why I pretty much only use homeschool all in one curriculum. It makes working from home and homeschooling so much easier.
But there is one exception that I make. For grades K-2nd I piece together the curriculum. I find that most all in one curricula for this age group is too overwhelming. There is just too much to it, and that also makes it more expensive. I ask myself this questions, “Do I homeschool for $400 or for $1400?” The answer is I homeschool for $400. (You can homeschool for cheaper than this is you are willing to trade your time for the money. I prefer not to spend my time shopping for curriculum or printing it and putting it all together.)
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Eclectic Homeschool Curriculum for Kindergarten
This is what I use for homeschool curriculum for kindergarten and through second grade. All of this curriculum is easy to use, and the kids quickly pick up the routine of it which helps them to start being independent learners.
The first time I homeschooled kindergarten, we did use Timberdoodle because we were in a program that reimbursed us for curriculum. It gives all of the benefits of an all in one curriculum while still be eclectic. My son is a hands-on learner, so this was perfect for him.
However, I won’t be using this for my daughter, but I will be piecing things together. Here’s the plan so far.
Math-u-See, Primer: I really like this math. I’ve used it for a number of grades, and the videos make the teaching and learning process really easy. Also, the videos are short, which is perfect for homeschool curriculum for kindergarten.
Spelling You See, Level A: Listen and Write: This program is another winner in my book. While there are no videos, the lessons are short and kids easily grasp the concepts.
All About Reading: We did like this program. It was easy to use, and my son is reading well. I do see mixed reviews in homeschool groups about this program. Not everyone likes it.
Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons: This is an alternative that I am currently using with my daughter. While she isn’t officially in kindergarten, I wanted to start the learning process of reading. Homeschooling is so much easier when your kids can read. And the way they teach reading just make sense to me.
Master Books, My Story: This is great for social studies. You will need to do it with your kindergartener, but it is really easy to use. It is a gentle way to start introducing your kids to the world around them.
Evan Moore, Geography: This is not a required subject at all, but we did enjoy doing it. The lessons are very hands-on, so kids are cutting and gluing. So it also incorporates fine motor skills.
Evan Moore, Science: I do like the Evan Moore workbooks because they are easy to use, and the kids can pick up on the structure quickly.
Kumon, Thinking Skills: My son really liked this workbook. It is picture based, so you only need to read the instructions and let them go.
SmartGames, Apple Twist: My son had a lot of fun with this game. It is a one player game, and he could do it on his own. He is a hands-on learner, so this was perfect for those times that I needed him to keep doing school, but I couldn’t be there right at the moment.
SmartGames, Smart Farmer: This was another game he could play independently. I like the logic and problem-solving aspects of both of these games.
Lexia: This is an online language arts program. I like adding this because kids can do it completely independently. It also helps to fill in any gaps that I think might be missing.
Typing Club: Yes, I start this in kindergarten because I want all my kids to know how to type. This is a skill that will never go away. Unless AI takes over the world. Knowing how to touch type is a life skill that will be used into adulthood.
This seems like a long list, but it actually wasn’t. We got through these things pretty quickly. Again, this is what I’ve used for kindergarten through second grade, but you need to put together a curriculum that works for you.
For history, we would just read good books history together.
Mistakes to Avoid Homeschooling Kindergarten
You’re excited about homeschooling kindergarten, and you want to do everything right. That’s something we all want to do. But there are a few mistakes to avoid.
1. Don’t overwhelm your schedule
This is easy to do because we want to make sure everything is being taught. But you only need to focus on reading and math. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or your child is fighting you on school, then cut back.
2. Don’t just focus on workbooks
I like workbooks. I know I am about to lose my homeschool mom card for that one. But I do. And they can be fun. Believe it or not, your kids can like workbooks too. If workbooks aren’t enjoyable for you or your kids, then try something different.
Try these hands-on lapbooks for favorite picture books. It will help to change up your homeschool to make learning more enjoyable for everyone.
3. Don’t just stay at home
Join a homeschool co-op, go to the library, discover new and exciting things. Take trips to the park, play outside, or ride bikes.
Homeschool kindergarten should focus on play and learning through experiences. Don’t forget to have fun.
Conclusion: Homeschool Curriculum for Kindergarten
Choosing the best homeschool curriculum for kindergarten doesn’t have to be stressful, and you don’t need to teach everything. I promise you really don’t.
You can also try things and toss them if they just aren’t working for you. Experiment, by used curriculum, so you can check things out on the cheap.
Remember, the goal is to create a love of learning, spark curiosity, and help them discover the world around them. Have fun with your homeschool curriculum for kindergarten.
FAQ: Homeschool Curriculum for Kindergarten
Q: How do I know if a curriculum is right for my child?
A: Look for programs that align with your child’s learning style, interests, and developmental needs. Many curriculums offer sample lessons or trial periods to help you decide.
Q: What if my child isn’t interested in the curriculum?
A: If your child isn’t engaged, try adjusting the material or incorporating more interactive activities. Sometimes, switching to a different curriculum may be the best option.
Q: Can I homeschool kindergarten without a curriculum?
A: Yes! Many parents successfully homeschool kindergarten using a child-led or eclectic approach, focusing on activities like reading aloud, exploring nature, and doing everyday math tasks.
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