Before you even officially “start” homeschooling, you already know you need some sort of curriculum... right?
Because without one, how will they stay on track?
You need to make sure you're doing it properly.
You don't want them to fall behind.
So you start looking… and suddenly you’re choosing between phonics programs, math books, handwriting sheets—and wondering how you ended up here when your child is still playing with blocks on the floor.
I’ve been there.
These days? I use two core curriculums and wing the rest.
Because the truth is, you don’t need curriculum for the early years…
but that doesn’t mean doing nothing either.
There’s a middle ground that actually works—and it doesn’t involve turning your kitchen table into a mini classroom.
Why we feel like we need it
Most of us went to school.
So when we step into homeschooling, we default to what we know:
- structured lessons
- set subjects
- clear progression
Curriculum feels like the “safe” option.
It tells you what to do.
It reassures you you’re not missing anything.
It makes it feel official.
And when you’re new and unsure… that’s comforting.
But here’s what no one talks about
Curriculum can very quickly become:
- overwhelming
- rigid
- something you feel behind on
- something your kids resist
Not because you’re doing it wrong…
But because it’s often designed for a classroom, not a home.
Yep, even if it's designed for homeschoolers - it's often too work book heavy which doesn't work for most parents (let alone your kids).
Different pace.
Different environment.
Different expectations.
And when you try to replicate that at home, it can feel like you’re constantly pushing uphill.
What kids actually need in the primary years
This is the part that gets missed.
In the early years, learning doesn’t need to be complicated to be effective.
The secret is understanding the foundation of a solid education.
And that comes down to reading and math.
We all know how important reading to your baby is.
Bedtime stories is universal and it's basically taught as a human need.
Feed, change diaper, play time, bath, and read to your baby.
That's because reading is the foundation to all language and literacy skills.
In fact many homeschool families, especially Charlotte Mason based ones, don't use any language arts curriculum. Instead they rely on reading hours of well-written books to teach their kids grammar, vocabulary, writing structure, and of course how to read.
Because a child who loves to read, loves to learn.
Once your child is a fluent reader, they get to explore every idea that pops into their brain.
Find a book or even search a youtube video on the topic, and their curiosity is peeked.
That means their
→ scientific questions are answered
→ art lessons can be followed
→ they're using technology
→ they're learning history via stories
→ they're literally living out social studies
→ they can even teach themselves how to play music
In fact the only subject that won't be covered if you're being intentional about home education is math.
And that's why math is the one subject that needs a curriculum.
Not necessarily when your child is under 6 years old, but once they're 7 - they should be advanced enough to need a structured math curriculum.
But beside math, kids simply need:
- a lot of conversations
- a lot of read a-louds and independant reading
- time to play, explore, and create
- opportunities to observe and copy real life
That’s where most of the learning happens.
Not in ticking off pages.
So… should you use curriculum or not?
This is where people tend to swing too far in either direction.
It’s not:
- curriculum = good
- no curriculum = better
It’s more nuanced than that.
When curriculum can help
If...
- you feel completely lost and don’t know where to start
- you want a guide to follow while you build confidence
- you prefer having things laid out for you
Curriculum can be a really helpful tool.
When it’s probably not helping
- You’re constantly feeling behind
- You skip half of it anyway
- Your kids resist it daily
- You feel like you’re forcing something that isn’t working
That’s usually a sign it’s too much or just not the right fit.
The middle ground that actually works
This is where things start to feel easier.
Instead of building your homeschool around curriculum…
Use it to support what you’re already doing.
That might look like:
- using a math book for consistency
- following a phonics program loosely
- skipping anything that doesn’t fit your day
You’re allowed to pause, adapt and even ignore parts completely.
You don’t have to finish it to be doing a good job.
What a “no pressure” homeschool day can look like
You read aloud together on the couch
Your child helps you cook and learns measurements without realising it
They play outside, build, create, ask questions
You do a short math lesson when they’re in a good mood
You have conversations throughout the day
It doesn’t look impressive on paper…
But it works.
If you’re feeling stuck right now
If you’re sitting there with a pile of books, unsure what to use, what to drop, and how to actually make your days flow…
you don’t need more curriculum.
You need a simpler way to structure your homeschool.
That’s exactly why I created Homeschool Reset—to help you strip everything back, focus on what actually matters, and build a rhythm that works in real life.
