The most common question that new homeschool moms ask is this: what homeschool curriculum should I use?

Okay, that sounds great, but you still need to find a curriculum.

Here’s how to find the perfect homeschool curriculum:

First, explore homeschool approaches. The typical homeschool styles are:

• Traditional: Think of traditional homeschooling like recreating a traditional school experience at home. In this style, the parent teaches their children with structured curriculum, textbooks, and schedules. It often involves using set lesson plans and curriculum that adheres to grade-level standards.
• Classical: Drawing inspiration from the ancient models of education, classical homeschooling focuses on grammar, logic, and rhetoric. There is an emphasis on literature, history, and languages like Latin or Greek.
• Charlotte Mason: This holistic educational approach emphasizes child-led learning with living books, nature studies, and short lessons. Children are encouraged to play, spend time outside, and appreciate music and arts.
• Montessori: This homeschool approach encourages self-directed learning and hands-on exploration for children. Parents create a supportive learning environment that promotes independence and fosters a love for learning.
• Unschooling: In unschooling, parents act as facilitators rather than instructors. They provide resources and support as needed while children explore their own interests and learn through living. Homeschooling with this approach usually means ditching defined curriculums.
• Unit Studies: In this approach, parents organize their children’s learning around thematic units or topics. Children explore various subjects and make connections across the studied lessons.
• Waldorf: In the Waldorf style, parents approach education holistically while emphasizing creativity and imagination. Children are encouraged to create with arts, crafts, and storytelling, through rhythmic activities.
• Eclectic: The eclectic homeschool approach adopts methods and philosophies from the other homeschool approaches. Parents create and customize a tailored curriculum based on their children’s needs and interests, without sticking to one particular style.
• Online Learning: Some parents are homeschooling through online programs that have virtual classes, lessons, and learning activities. Some online schools are created to be used independently, as a hybrid with traditional schooling, or as supplemental learning.

Once you have a homeschool philosophy in mind, you can narrow down your search for curriculums. If you’re completely new to homeschooling, read some books about a few different approaches to decide which is most appealing to you. Take your time learning and exploring on this step. Your homeschooling approach will significantly shape your decision-making and homeschool experience.

Next, discover your child’s learning style.

This goes hand-in-hand with defining your homeschool style. How your child learns will influence how you teach them! You can find curriculums and resources that work well with your child’s preferences for learning and absorbing information.

• Tactile: your child learns best through touching. Look for curriculum that incorporates hands-on activities with manipulative tools, experiments, crafts, field trips, and educational games. Consider purchasing educational toys, building kits, and other sensory resources for your homeschool.
• Kinesthetic: when your child learns through doing and moving. Look for curriculum that incorporates hands-on learning through manipulative tools, educational toys, experiences and movement. Consider if a curriculum allows for a flexible learning environment where school can be taken off of the page.

Third, start your homeschool curriculum search!

Once you have a better idea of your homeschool approach and child’s learning style, you have useful keywords for finding curriculum. A Google search is an alright place to start but I also recommend using Cathy Duffy Homeschool Curriculum Reviews, Rainbow Resource Center, and Christianbook. Don’t purchase new curriculum right away. Bookmark your favorites and take your time to piece everything together.

Fourth, preview a curriculum before you buy it!

Looking at an actual curriculum with all its resources gives you more insight than any online listing will. Ask friends to look at their homeschool library. Attend curriculum swaps or visit homeschool shops if you’re lucky enough to have them locally. Download free previews if they’re available. Here are some questions to ask yourself as you preview a curriculum:

• What topics are covered, and do they meet our homeschool goals?
• Are there tools to help me determine my child’s recommended level?
• How many lessons are in the curriculum?
• What is the recommended pacing of the lessons?
• Approximately how long would each lesson take?
• Does this resource align with our family’s educational approach and values?
• Is the resource high-quality and engaging?
• Does this curriculum fit within our homeschool budget?
• How much preparation is need for each lesson?
• Will I need to print this resource?
• How much parent involvement is needed?
• Can the curriculum be used for multiple children, across grade-levels?
• What school supplies do you need to follow the curriculum?
• Is there a required book list? Are those books available at the library or do you need to purchase them?
• Is the curriculum flexible enough to accommodate any special needs?
• Will this new curriculum realistically fit into your homeschool routine?
• Are there helpful reviews of this curriculum?

A Helpful Tip: You don’t need to buy a curriculum with workbooks for every subject. Making your own curriculum isn’t as overwhelming as it may seem. There are tons of free resources online that can help you form wonderful learning goals, reading lists, and find printable activities that’ll meet your needs!

Fifth, purchase your curriculum!

Once you have some curriculum ideas, piece them together to create a rich and rewarding homeschool experience for your family. Purchase your items and enjoy integrating them into your homeschool.

Finally, embrace flexibility.

Don’t put too much pressure on yourself to find the perfect curriculum. You need something that works for your family. Realize that no matter the curriculum, you have the power to switch curriculums of modify them to better meet your homeschool needs.

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