So, you’ve decided to homeschool your 5-year-old. Congratulations!

Now comes the part where you stare at a million curriculum options, second-guess every decision, and wonder if you’re about to ruin your child’s education before it even starts.

(Spoiler: You’re not.)

If you’re feeling overwhelmed about where to begin, take a deep breath. You don’t have to start with a structured curriculum on day one—or even in month one. In fact, I’d encourage you not to jump straight into a full schedule. The beauty of homeschooling is that you get to tailor your approach to fit your child, not force your child into a predetermined system.

Step One: Pause and Observe

As a former public school teacher, I came into homeschooling with all the standards, benchmarks, and expectations buzzing in my brain. I spent $200 on a curriculum for pre-kinder and she hated it. I was excited about the curriculum and thought it would be perfect for her. I was wrong. Lesson learned.

So we spent the last six months learning her style, her needs, and taking it super slow. I want her to be successful, not feeling like she has to learn the way I expect or the way the curriculum is designed. She didn't show any signs of wanting to sit down and do school work, so I didn't force her. We played games, baked in the kitchen, did crafts, read stories, went to the library, played with other homeschooling friends, and just took it slow. I followed her lead. She will be 5 soon and is starting to show signs of being more ready. She is asking more questions, wanting to learn, and things are starting to "click" for her faster than before.

I did not want to jump back into another curriculum. Instead, I created a cheat sheet of what she needs to know and will be working on that for her kindergarten year. We may not need a curriculum for a while.  (I am going to review a few different curriculums and share my thoughts. I have a Curriculum & Instruction degree and would love to dissect a few!)

Take a few weeks (or months!) to simply observe your child. How do they engage with the world? Do they love listening to stories? Are they constantly moving? Do they enjoy drawing, building, asking a million “why” questions? This time of discovery is crucial—it will help you choose resources and routines that work for your child, rather than just copying what a traditional school does.

Step Two: Use a Guide, Not a Rulebook

One of the most common worries parents have is, “How do I know what my child should be learning?” That’s where my handy cheat sheet, What Should My 5-Year-Old Know?, comes in. Instead of treating it like a checklist you must complete, use it as a guide for exploration.

Some key areas to focus on:

• Language & Literacy: Recognizing letters, beginning letter sounds, enjoying books together.

• Math Readiness: Counting, recognizing numbers, sorting objects, simple patterns.

• Fine Motor Skills: Cutting, drawing, using manipulatives like LEGOs or playdough.

• Gross Motor Skills: Running, jumping, climbing, balancing.

• Social & Emotional Development: Taking turns, expressing feelings, following simple instructions.

• Science & Nature: Observing the world, asking questions, simple experiments, outdoor play.

  
  

Instead of formal lessons, incorporate these skills into daily life. Read aloud snuggled on the couch. Count snacks. Let them “write” a grocery list. Play outside. Build forts. Let them explore freely.

Step Three: Make It Hands-On and Fun

At this age, learning should feel like play. Forget about worksheets and sit-down lessons (unless your child loves them). Instead:

• Use games to teach math concepts.

• Cook together to introduce measurements and sequencing.

• Go on nature walks and talk about what you see.

• Let them build with blocks to explore spatial awareness and problem-solving.

• Sing songs, do finger plays, and tell stories to develop language skills.

  
  

Step Four: Find a Rhythm, Not a Strict Schedule

One of the biggest perks of homeschooling is flexibility. You don’t need a rigid 8-3 school schedule. Some kids love routine, others thrive on spontaneity. Start small—maybe a morning read-aloud, a hands-on activity, and lots of free play. Some days, your child will be eager to dive into learning, and other days, they’ll just want to dig in the dirt for hours. Both are okay.

Step Five: Trust God and Find Your Community

I know we talked about this is my last post, but I am going to keep saying it until you believe it. God made us mamas perfect for our kids, and our kids were made just for us. There is no better teacher than a mama. We are their first teachers. We teach them how to walk, to talk, to eat, etc. So what makes their "education" any different?

I encourage you to often check in with God:

Plug into a homeschool community. This has been a LIFELINE for me. Mamas need community. We need our tribe. Luci and I have spent the last six months really digging into our community and surrounding ourselves with people on the same path. Just like we want our kids to thrive socially and form those relationships, it is important for us mamas to do the same.

Step Six: Give Yourself Grace

There’s no perfect way to homeschool. Some days, you’ll feel like you’re rocking it. Other days, you’ll feel like you got nothing done (hint: you did—learning is always happening!). Your child will learn because they are naturally curious, and you are providing a rich environment to explore.

So, if you’re just starting out, here’s my advice: Don’t stress. Don’t overcomplicate it. Spend time getting to know your child and their learning style. Trust the process, and remember—you have years ahead to build on this foundation. For now, let them be little, let them explore, and enjoy the journey of learning together.

Looking for creative ways to make homeschooling enjoyable? Check out my favorite hands-on learning tools, educational games, faith-based resources, and must-have homeschool supplies!