Which Curriculum Should I Use With My Kindergartener?

I know, I’ve been there. A mom of a 5 year old, ready to get started with this home school thing. A mom of a 5 year old, unsure of her ability to do what has always been the job of a paid professional. A mom of a 5 year old, afraid that the decision I make now about curriculum will, if not chosen well, ruin my child’s academic progress.

When I began home schooling in 1991, I did my research. This wasn’t as easy as it is today nor was it as overwhelming. My research consisted of reading Mary Pride’s books, asking the few home school moms I knew what their opinions were and scouring the few home school catalogs available at that time. Keep in mind this was pre-internet days when everything was done via snail mail, the telephone that was attached to the wall and face to face encounters.

I came away with the only logical choice that could be made. I bought a packaged curriculum for my 5 year old. Sure it was pricey but if that’s what it took to give my boy the best education, that’s what we’d do. The exciting day arrived. The mailman delivered the home school books. I devoured the teacher’s manuals and got busy figuring out what our school day would look like.

The first glitch came when I began phonics instruction. Now, my son was not a genius but he really caught on to reading easily. The phonics curriculum that came in the package deal was written for a classroom of students. The activities suggested I divide my class in half. That was going to be a challenge. I knew I could skip this activity but I also knew that the curriculum was not designed for one on one tutoring.

The second glitch came the night I had something to do with my girlfriends and left Daddy home with my son. He thought he would help out with his son’s education so he got one of the books from the package and read it at bedtime. The entire book. It was a social studies book that talked about different exciting places around the world. It must have been less than a half an inch thick with lots of pictures and very few words. It was easily read in one night but was intended to be used for an entire school year. Apparently, I would need to do some supplementing here.

Two weeks into kindergarten and nearly half of my packaged curriculum was either useless or already finished. What was I to do? I began looking around for something else. I tried several different types of curriculum. In fact, since I eventually had 6 boys I have had a lot of opportunity to do a lot of research (with the internet now) and try a lot of things. I’ve found some that worked and some that didn’t.

This is one of the most asked questions I get — What curriculum should I use with my kindergartener? I would like to share with you what I’ve learned.

1. Less is best. I know how exciting it is to start home schooling. Don’t let that excitement takeover the most important thing — educating your child. There are quite a few years ahead of you. There is no need to teach everything to your 5 year old in one year. If your child is of the compulsory attendance age, follow your state’s minimum guidelines. Don’t over schedule your child and don’t over schedule yourself. You will both burn out before you even get started.

2. Keep it short. Just because your friend’s child attends kindergarten at the local school all day doesn’t mean you have to be teaching your child all day. Most days, 5 year olds will be through with formal schooling in less than an hour. Don’t feel like you need to do more.

3. Play is school. Never underestimate the power of play for your child. Let his imagination soar and let him learn about his world around him through play. Encourage him to play. Give him the time and space to play.

4. Read, read, read. Read to your child. Read good books. Read fun books. Read books you cherish from your childhood. Let your child hear the written word spoken so he can understand the flow, the rhythm, the beauty of words well written. Make this reading part of the bedtime routine or quiet time in the afternoon. Keep it relaxed and enjoyable.

5. Sing, sing, sing. Just like reading, sing with your child. Sing good songs. Sing fun songs. Sing song you cherish from your childhood. Always keep it fun.

6. Draw, paint, sculpt. Give your child art supplies. At this age they don’t have to be fancy or expensive. Some crayons, colored pencils, paper, play-doh, finger paints, water colors. You know, all the messy stuff. Allow your child to do as much of this as you can tolerate. Some of us are better at seeing messes in our homes than others. Join in the fun. It’s always more fun to create when someone is creating along side you.

7. Go places. Much of the time in public school kindergarten is spent learning about the world we live in. The children are taught about their community. Much of their time is spent learning about nature. Much of their time is spent learning about family and so on. Since they are learning these things in a classroom setting, they are introduced to pictures, books, games, educational toys and the like to learn things that your child can learn just going places. When the mailman comes to deliver mail, talk to your child about what he’s doing. When the policeman pulls you over for an out dated registration sticker, talk to your child about what the police do for us. When you visit grandma, encourage her to talk about her childhood and encourage your child to listen attentively. When you walk around the neighborhood, take time to talk about the flowers, the grass, the ants, the birds and anything else you encounter. All of those units your friend’s child is studying in the classroom can be learned free of charge (except for that ticket) by just going places and doing things together.

Tell me again what that expensive curriculum will teach your child that isn’t listed above? You mean you are already doing those things? What a great home school mom you already are and you haven’t even bought curriculum yet. What is left to teach? Typically, a 5 year old can begin learning to read. Some learn sooner but don’t be concerned if yours isn’t quite ready at 5. I recommend starting with a phonics curriculum at 5 and see how your child does. If he progresses smoothly, great. If not, hold off another year and try again.

There are a lot of good choices when it comes to phonics programs. I’ll leave that bit of research up to you. Just remember that whatever you purchase, don’t let it become your master. Use it to teach your child. When your child has learned to read, stop. Let him enjoy his new found skill.

There is one other subject I like to start at age 5. Nothing serious but a little math is a good thing. Kids usually love math if it is not forced on them too early. Find a curriculum that is slow, steady and engaging. Did you use up your home school budget on phonics? That’s okay. Just teach your child the basics of math — counting, colors, shapes, sorting, etc. Use everyday objects, toys, pebbles, anything that is handy and your child enjoys manipulating. Let your child be successful so he will know that math is something fun, not scary.

Above all, don’t forget to enjoy these early years. They will be gone before you know it.