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- Best Classical Approach: Memoria Press Preschool Curriculum
- Best Christian Program: Horizons Preschool
- Best Secular Program: Calvert Preschool
- Best Literature-Based: Before Five in a Row
Homeschooling a preschooler involves creating a nurturing and engaging learning environment that fosters curiosity, exploration, and foundational skills development. Using a formal homeschool curriculum for preschool is a great way to provide structure to your child’s day and make sure you are hitting all the basics to prepare them for kindergarten, whether that be at school or in a home setting. In this article we’ll tell you about some of our favorite homeschool curriculums for preschoolers. We’ll also provide some tips on how to successfully homeschool a preschooler and share some recommendations for educational supplements for children this age!
The curriculum reviews included here are intended for preschool-aged kids (2-4). If you are homeschooling a pre-K student (ages 4-5), check out our article Best Pre-K Homeschool Curriculum. For our preschool curriculum reviews, continue reading!
Best Classical Approach
Memoria Press Preschool Curriculum
If you are looking for a homeschool preschool curriculum that is comprehensive, Christian-centered, and classical in its approach, we highly recommend the one offered by Memoria Press. Memoria Press follows the classical model of education, based on the three stages of learning known as the trivium: the Grammar Stage, the Logic Stage, and the Rhetoric Stage. Its preschool program aims to help young children develop a solid foundation for future learning.
This program is excellent if you are looking to introduce your child to basic foundational knowledge such as letters, numbers, colors, shapes, days of the week, and weather. The curriculum provides plenty of hands-on activities to accompany the beautiful picture book selection. The books themselves are classic tales that introduce kids to rich language and teach positive character traits. Some of the books also introduce kids to early math concepts, such as numbers, counting, and shapes.
Phonics are not taught as part of this program, but if you feel your preschooler is ready for a phonics curriculum, Memoria Press offers an excellent program that can be purchased separately. Or check out our article Best Homeschool Kindergarten Reading Curriculum for some recommendations on great phonics programs!
Memoria Press’s preschool curriculum is Bible-based and includes prayers and Biblical recitations. If you are a secular or non-Christian homeschooler, you may still be able to adapt this curriculum to fit your family’s needs, but we recommend you first look at some sample pages on Memoria Press’s website.
The entire Memoria Press preschool curriculum can be purchased as a package. You may also purchase the curriculum manual and picture books individually if you already own some of them or plan to borrow them from your local library. Note that this curriculum is intended for 2-3 year-old children. Memoria Press also offers a Jr. Kindergarten curriculum for 4-5 year-olds.
Best Christian Program
If you’re looking for a comprehensive, user-friendly, Christian-centered preschool program, consider the popular Horizons Preschool Curriculum. Published by Alpha Omega Publications, creator of the popular Lifepac series, Horizons Preschool is one of the most popular homeschool preschool curriculums out there, offering a comprehensive education for homeschooled kids ages 3-5. The program includes an introduction to language arts, math, science, social studies, health, physical education, and art. Here are some of the main features of Horizon Preschool:
- Structured and flexible lesson plans: this program is easy for parents to follow and can be adapted for either a 3- or 5-day/week schedule. The lessons introduce concepts gradually so that kids can build upon their knowledge, and they include a variety of different activities to keep little ones engaged.
- Focus on early literacy and numeracy: we love that this curriculum focuses on the most important skills for later academic success. It emphasizes the development of early literacy skills like letter recognition, phonics, and basic reading readiness. Foundational math skills such as counting, shapes, and number recognition are also introduced.
- Hands-on, colorful, and interactive materials: this program incorporates hands-on activities, crafts, and games to engage young children and enhance their understanding of the concepts being taught.
Horizons Preschool can be purchased as a basic set or as an expanded multimedia set.
Best Secular Program
If you are looking for a solid, comprehensive preschool program that is secular, consider Calvert Preschool. Calvert has long been a leader in homeschool publishing, and its preschool program is thorough, engaging, and fun for young learners. The preschool curriculum includes three courses: Phonics, Math, and Electives. The Phonics and Math courses provide an excellent and gentle introduction to basic reading and math skills: letter and number recognition, letter sounds, counting, and more. The Electives course introduces children to topics such as science, social studies, music, physical education, health, and arts and crafts.
Calvert Preschool is fun for kids and easy-to-follow for parents. A daily schedule is provided that is easy to adapt to suit your family’s needs. Plenty of hands-on activities, teaching tips, and lesson plans make this an excellent all-around curriculum. The three courses in Calvert Preschool can also be purchased individually, if you prefer. You’ll want to complement this curriculum with plenty of classic children’s stories. Some of our favorites for preschool-age kids are Goodnight Moon; Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?; The Very Hungry Caterpillar; Chicka Chicka Boom Boom; and The Tale of Peter Rabbit.
Best Literature-Based
Before Five in a Row (BFIAR) is a literature-based homeschooling curriculum designed for children aged 2 to 5. It is a precursor to the popular “Five in a Row” curriculum, which is geared toward slightly older children. BFIAR provides a gentle introduction to early learning through a literature-rich approach, using classic and well-loved picture books as the foundation for various activities. Here are some of our favorite features of this curriculum:
- Literature-centered learning: BFIAR focuses on reading and enjoying classic children’s picture books. Each week, a different book is chosen as the basis for exploration and learning. By immersing young children in rich and engaging stories, BFIAR aims to instill a love for reading and storytelling from an early age.
- Short lessons and simple, engaging activities: recognizing the short attention spans of toddlers and preschoolers, BFIAR keeps lessons brief and focused. This allows for learning to take place in short, enjoyable bursts. This curriculum also provides age-appropriate activities like arts and crafts that kids love and are simple for parents to prepare.
- Gentle introduction to learning and integration of multiple subjects: BFIAR introduces basic concepts such as colors, shapes, numbers, and letters in a gentle and playful manner. The emphasis is on fostering a love for learning rather than formal instruction. And while literature is at the core, BFIAR integrates learning across various subjects such as language arts, math, science, and art, providing a well-rounded early learning experience.
- User-friendly for parents and families: BFIAR includes detailed lesson plans and guidance for parents, making it accessible for homeschooling beginners. The curriculum is designed to be parent-friendly and doesn’t require extensive preparation. BFIAR is also designed to be flexible and adaptable to suit the needs of individual families. It allows for creativity and tailoring of activities based on the child’s interests.
- Easily adaptable for religious or secular families: this curriculum includes Biblical references, which can be incorporated into the lessons for Christian homeschooling families. Don’t let this scare you away if you are a secular homeschooler, however. The included Bible verses can easily be skipped over in favor of the art, craft, and science projects designed to go along with each story.
Before Five in a Row consists of two parts, so if your child is new to the curriculum you’ll want to start with Part 1.
Conclusion
Homeschooling a preschooler can be a rewarding experience for both children and parents. Remember to stay flexible and include lots of hands-on play. If you are homeschooling a pre-K student (ages 4-5), be sure to also check out Best Pre-K Homeschool Curriculum.