Choosing Homeschooling Curriculum

Homeschooling can be an excellent option for parents who want more control over their child’s education and want to create a customized learning experience that meets their individual needs. It can also be a great way to build strong relationships between parents and children, fostering a love of learning.

Choosing a homeschool curriculum is an important decision that can significantly impact your child’s education. The homeschooling process can vary for every family, but it typically involves purchasing or creating a homeschool curriculum and scheduling regular lessons. Many families also utilize online resources and community groups to find support and connect with other homeschooling families.

Select Curriculum

After learning what is required and understanding what you want your homeschooling journey to be like, choose the curriculum or educational approach that aligns with your goals.

Designing a homeschooling curriculum can feel overwhelming, especially with the endless resources and options available. Whether you’re just starting or refining your current plan, this list will help you organize your approach, cover essential subjects, and build a balanced, effective curriculum tailored to your child’s needs. (See article, “How to Plan Your Homeschooled High School Student’s Four-Year Curriculum“)

Cover the Core Subjects

Language Arts

Every curriculum should include a strong foundation in language arts. Key components include:

  • Reading and literature

  • Phonics and decoding (for younger students)

  • Spelling and vocabulary

  • Grammar and sentence structure

  • Writing (narratives, essays, journaling)

  • Handwriting (print and/or cursive)

Mathematics

Math should build logical thinking and real-world problem-solving skills. Be sure to include:

  • Arithmetic and number sense

  • Operations and word problems

  • Geometry, measurement, fractions, and algebra (as age-appropriate)

  • Math fact fluency

Science

Science encourages exploration and curiosity. Include:

  • Life science (plants, animals, biology)

  • Earth and space science (weather, geology, astronomy)

  • Physical science (chemistry, physics concepts)

  • Experiments and hands-on activities

Social Studies

This subject fosters understanding of the world and communities:

  • World and U.S. history

  • Geography and map skills

  • Civics and government

  • Cultures and current events

Ready to Begin Your Homeschooling Journey?

 

Download our 32-page Getting Started with Homeschooling Guide and Checklists—a comprehensive resource packed with tips, tools, and step-by-step checklists to help you feel confident and organized from day one. Whether you're exploring homeschooling for the first time or looking to refresh your current approach, this guide is your go-to starting point.

Add Enrichment Subjects

Beyond the basics, enrich your child’s learning with additional subjects:

  • Art – Creative expression, techniques, and art history

  • Music – Singing, instruments, music theory, or appreciation

  • Physical Education – Movement, exercise, games, or organized sports

  • Health – Nutrition, safety, hygiene, and wellness

  • Foreign Language – Spanish, French, ASL, or others

Include Life Skills and Electives

Homeschooling is an excellent opportunity to prepare kids for real life. Consider:

  • Financial literacy (budgeting, saving, money math)

  • Home economics (cooking, cleaning, laundry)

  • Career exploration or apprenticeships

  • Digital literacy (typing, coding, safe internet use)

  • Social-emotional development

Organize and Assess

To keep things running smoothly, use planning tools and track progress:

  • Create a daily or weekly schedule.

  • Prepare lesson plans or use a planner.

  • Gather necessary books, tools, and supplies.

  • Use assessments, such as quizzes, projects, or portfolios, to measure growth.

  • Maintain records of attendance, grades, and samples of student work.

A well-rounded homeschool curriculum meets legal requirements, supports your child’s learning style, and allows for flexibility.  Remember, homeschooling is a journey, not a race. It’s okay to adapt and evolve your child’s curriculum as they grow. With thoughtful planning, patience, and creativity, you can build a learning environment that enables your child to thrive.

Learning Challenges

Aphasia

Aphasia is a language disorder caused by brain damage, such as a stroke, head injury, or neurodegenerative disease, that affects speaking, understanding, reading, or writing. Dysphasia is an outdated term that was once used to describe partial language loss due to brain damage. Today, aphasia is the preferred and more accurate medical term.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder that affects children and adults. It involves ongoing inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity patterns that can disrupt daily life and vary in severity.

Auditory Processing Disorder (APD)

Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) affects how the brain interprets sounds, not hearing itself. People with APD hear normally but struggle to understand speech, especially in noisy settings. Early diagnosis and support can significantly improve learning and communication.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects how individuals communicate, interact, learn, and behave. It involves a range of challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, and communication. The term “spectrum” reflects the broad diversity in how autism presents in each person.

Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)

Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD) is a childhood mental health condition marked by chronic irritability and frequent, intense outbursts that are out of proportion to the situation. While similar behaviors may appear in children with autism, they often stem from sensory or processing challenges, and the root causes differ even when the two conditions co-occur.

Down Syndrome

Down syndrome is a genetic disorder caused by the presence of an extra copy of chromosome 21. This additional genetic material affects development and results in the physical and intellectual characteristics associated with the condition. It’s one of the most common chromosomal disorders.

Dyscalculia

Dyscalculia is a learning disorder that affects a person’s ability to understand and work with numbers. It is sometimes referred to as “number dyslexia” because, like dyslexia for reading, dyscalculia makes it difficult to process mathematical information.

Dysgraphia

Dysgraphia is a neurological condition that affects writing skills, making it hard to write clearly, spell correctly, and organize thoughts on paper.

Dyspraxia / DCD

Dysgraphia is a neurological condition that affects writing skills, making it hard to write clearly, spell correctly, and organize thoughts on paper.

Dyslexia

Dyslexia is a neurological learning disability that affects reading, spelling, and writing. It often runs in families and involves difficulty with phonological processing—the ability to recognize and work with the sounds in spoken language.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

Anxiety is a normal response to stress, such as relationship changes, public speaking, or major decisions. However, when it becomes persistent and disrupts daily life, it may indicate a mental health disorder. Anxiety and depression often occur together—nearly half of those with depression also have an anxiety disorder.

Mixed Receptive-Expressive Language Disorder (MRELD)

Mixed receptive-expressive language disorder (MRELD) is a communication disorder that affects both understanding and expressing language. Individuals with MRELD struggle to comprehend spoken language and have difficulty forming words or sentences to communicate clearly.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a chronic condition marked by uncontrollable, recurring thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors (compulsions).

Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)

Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) is a childhood behavior disorder marked by ongoing uncooperative, defiant, and hostile behavior toward authority figures. Children with ODD often cause more difficulty for others than for themselves.

Sensory Process Disorder (SPD)

Sensory processing disorder (SPD) is a condition where the brain struggles to process multisensory input effectively, leading to inappropriate responses to environmental demands. It commonly occurs in individuals with dyspraxia, autism spectrum disorder, and ADHD.

Visual Process Disorder (VPD)

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a chronic condition marked by uncontrollable, recurring thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors (compulsions).