Best Homeschool Math Curriculum for Kindergarten

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Math is an important component of a homeschool education, even for the youngest kids. If you are homeschooling a kindergartener and wondering how to get started with teaching math, you’ll first want to decide whether to use a formal curriculum. While a formal math curriculum is not strictly necessary at this age, using one can have a lot of benefits, such as providing structured learning experiences and helping young kids get used to doing math on a regular basis. In this article we’ll tell you about some of our favorite homeschool kindergarten math curriculums. And whichever program you choose, don’t forget to supplement it with lots of good manipulatives (link to manipulative list) and math-themed activities! This book (link to “preschool math at home”) has some great suggestions on how to incorporate simple math lessons into your child’s everyday life.

Our picks for the best homeschool math curriculum for kindergarten:

Best All-Around

 Singapore Math Primary Mathematics

If you are homeschooling a kindergartener, we highly recommend the new 2022 Primary Mathematics Kindergarten program from Singapore Math. Like the other curriculums produced by Singapore Math, this program offers an academically strong math program that will benefit kids with most learning styles. The program is divided into two semesters (Parts A and B) and provides an excellent foundation for further math study in the elementary years.

All of Singapore Math’s programs embody the approach to math education used by the Singapore Department of Education in the 1980s and 1990s. Why Singapore? In 1995, as part of the Third International Math and Science Study (TIMSS), achievement tests were given to children around the world. The results showed that students from Singapore scored exceptionally well in math, a fact that captured the attention of Western educators and inspired some publishers of math curriculums in the United States to begin employing the same methods of math instruction used in Singapore. 

Embodying the effective approach to teaching math used in Singapore, the K-8 math curriculums published by Singapore Math are very popular among homeschoolers, and for good reason. The Singapore approach presents math through a unique Concrete > Pictorial > Abstract approach. This method first introduces concepts through a hands-on lesson, then moves onto pictorial and concrete examples, then finally to more abstract ideas. The process encourages critical thinking at a young age and is excellent for many different learning styles because of the way it teaches math concepts through a multifaceted approach. 

Singapore Math’s Kindergarten Program is easy to use, well organized, and provides clear instructions to parents. Lessons are short, simple, and effective. Each unit is divided into several parts, making it easy to go through the program at your child’s own pace. There are four books for each semester: a teacher’s guide, student book, additional practice book, and “Mastery and Beyond” book. Bright illustrations and lots of hands-on instruction with visuals and manipulatives make this a program that young children love.

For a whole year of instruction, you’ll want to be sure to purchase both Part A and Part B of the curriculum. You’ll also need to purchase the following manipulatives:

Most User-Friendly

Saxon Math K

If you are looking for a user-friendly, easy-to-follow kindergarten math program, consider Saxon Math K. This is an excellent, comprehensive math curriculum designed specifically for young learners. It is part of the Saxon Math program, which is known for its incremental and spiral approach to teaching mathematics. Here are some key features and aspects of Saxon Math for Kindergarten:

  • Hands-on Learning: Saxon Math K emphasizes hands-on activities and manipulatives to help children develop a strong understanding of mathematical concepts. Activities often involve counting, sorting, patterning, and basic geometric shapes. We like that there is no workbook for kids at this stage, as many kindergarteners are not ready for workbooks and learn better through sensory, hands-on instruction with visuals and manipulatives.
  • Incremental Approach: this curriculum introduces new concepts in small, manageable increments, allowing students to build upon their knowledge gradually. This approach helps prevent overwhelming students with too much new information at once and gives them time to master each concept before moving on.
  • Spiral Curriculum: Saxon Math K employs a spiral curriculum, which means that concepts are revisited and reinforced throughout the year. This repetition helps solidify learning and ensures that students retain the skills they’ve learned.
  • Integration of Skills: this curriculum integrates various math skills, such as counting, number recognition, basic addition and subtraction, measurement, geometry, and patterns, into a cohesive framework. This helps students see the connections between different mathematical concepts.
  • Assessment and Practice: Saxon Math K includes regular assessments to gauge students’ understanding and progress. Additionally, there are plenty of practice opportunities provided to reinforce skills and concepts.

Overall, Saxon Math K aims to lay a solid foundation for mathematical understanding and proficiency by providing a structured yet engaging approach to learning math concepts. If you’d like to try Saxon Math K, you’ll need to purchase the Saxon Math K Teacher’s Edition and the Saxon Math K Home Study Meeting Book, available individually at Amazon or as a set on Christian Book. We also highly recommend you purchase the Saxon Math Manipulatives Kit, which contains all the basic manipulatives you will need for this and future years of Saxon Math.

Best for Visual and Kinesthetic Learners

Math-U-See, Primer or Alpha Levels

Math-U-See is a popular homeschool math program and is particularly excellent for children who learn best through visual and kinesthetic instruction. Central to this curriculum is the use of a special integer block manipulative kit, which makes it the most hands-on, tactile math curriculum currently available to homeschoolers. 

Math-U-See is a structured, mastery-based curriculum that focuses on particular concepts at each level. It is therefore best if your child uses the program for at least a few years, thus advancing through multiple levels and mastering the various concepts that each level focuses on. 

Since children’s math abilities vary widely at this age, Math-U-See divides its curriculum into levels rather than grades. The first two levels of the program are called Primer and Alpha. The Primer level is generally intended for pre-K and kindergarten, whereas the Alpha can be used for kindergarten or first grade. If your child has yet to master simple math concepts such as numerals, counting, and recognizing small numbers of items, you’ll probably want to begin with Primer. If your kindergartener already understands these basics, he or she is probably ready to start the Alpha level. 

Students who struggle with traditional, textbook-style learning will especially benefit from this program. This same manipulative set is used throughout the elementary and middle school years, so you will only need to purchase it once, and it can be used by multiple children at the same time. The repeated use of this manipulative kit gives students a visual and tactile experience with math concepts, allowing them to truly “see” how math is working. 

There is also an instructional DVD for each level, featuring weekly lessons and instructions that help students master the concepts incrementally. This media-rich approach is useful for students who learn better by seeing visual models of a math concept. Because of the excellent instruction provided by the DVD, many parents also find this program exceptionally manageable. 

The required materials for each of the Primer and Alpha levels include the integer block kit (you will only need to purchase this once, no matter how many years your child uses the program and no matter how many children are using it simultaneously), an instruction manual, an instructional DVD, a student workbook, and a digital pack containing additional resources. The Alpha level also requires the use of a test booklet. For the most convenience, purchase everything together in the Primer Universal Set or the Alpha Universal Set.

Best Christian Program

Lifepac Kindergarten Math

If you are looking for a solid kindergarten math program that encompasses a Christian worldview, we recommend the Kindergarten Math program by Lifepac. Published by Alpha Omega Press, a leader in Christian-based homeschool curriculum, this program provides a thorough basic grounding in kindergarten math concepts including numerals, counting, place value, addition, subtraction, and problem solving. Other concepts such as time, money, and comparison are also introduced.

Lifepac’s math programs use a mastery-based, spiral-approach wherein material is introduced, mastered, reviewed, and then eventually taught again to ensure important concepts are understood. This is an excellent approach for many children, and the kindergarten program will provide a solid foundation for elementary math. 

Christian homeschoolers appreciate the Bible-centered approach embodied in the Lifepac series, and many non-Christian homeschoolers also like Lifepac because of its straightforward, structured plans. Kindergarten Math is divided into 160 lessons, each with simple teaching instructions as well as answer keys and plenty of supplemental activities. There is minimal to no preparation needed on the part of parents. 

Required materials for this program include two colorful student books and a teacher’s guide. For the most convenience, purchase these together as a set. Lifepac Kindergarten Math can also be purchased in a bundle with Lifepac Kindergarten Language Arts.

Conclusion

There are many excellent homeschool math curriculums available at the kindergarten level. When it comes to choosing the right one for your family, you’ll need to consider your child’s learning style and your own homeschooling philosophy. If you have questions or would like more information on this topic, please email us!