Homeschooling, Lifestyle
How to Choose the Right Homeschool Curriculum for Your Child
Choosing a homeschool curriculum can feel overwhelming—especially with so many options, teaching styles, and reviews available. Whether you’re just starting or refining your approach, the key is remembering that there’s no one-size-fits-all. The best curriculum is the one that fits your child’s needs and your family’s lifestyle.
In our homeschool journey, we’ve loved using living books to make subjects come alive—especially history! One of our absolute favorites has been the Horrible Histories book set. It’s witty, engaging, and packed with facts kids actually remember. You can check it out here on Amazon.
We used the science set too, but we didn’t really care for the math set.
1. Start With Your Child, Not the Subject
Before diving into books and websites, think about how your child learns. Do they enjoy reading independently? Thrive with hands-on projects? Need extra structure? Consider their:
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Learning style (visual, auditory, kinesthetic)
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Strengths and struggles
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Attention span
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Interests and personality
2. Read Reviews—But Take Them With a Grain of Salt
Online homeschool communities, YouTube channels, and Facebook groups are full of reviews. These can be helpful for getting a sense of how a curriculum works in real life. However, what didn’t work for one family may be perfect for yours. Look for:
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Consistent feedback about structure, difficulty, and flexibility
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Videos or blog reviews with inside views of the materials
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Discussions from parents with similar goals as yours
3. Ask for Recommendations
Connect with other homeschooling families and ask what they’ve loved or left behind. Try:
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Facebook groups like “Homeschool Curriculum Reviews”
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Local co-ops
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Instagram or Pinterest for real-time ideas and examples
Don’t hesitate to ask why a curriculum worked (or didn’t)—it can help you spot patterns that matter to your own child.
We’ve also enjoyed using the DK Big Ideas series as supplementary reading for non-core subjects like philosophy, politics, and religion. I would create mini-lesson plans for each chapter.
Get yours here --> HERE
I’d highly recommend for middle school+
4. Start Small and Sample First
Many programs offer free samples or trial lessons. Don’t feel like you have to commit to a full-year purchase right away. Use:
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Trial lessons or free downloads
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YouTube overviews
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Open-and-go packs from trusted educators (like those at TeacherJade.com)
5. Focus on Flexibility, Not Perfection
No curriculum is perfect, and that’s okay. What matters most is how you use it and whether it helps your child grow in confidence and skills. You may need to tweak pacing, combine two programs, or supplement with resources.
Final Thought:
Choosing a curriculum is a process—not a permanent decision. Be open to adjusting and give yourself and your child grace to grow together.
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