It’s a hot topic, should you or should you not use a curriculum in your homeschool? Contrary to many posts out there, I believe that you SHOULD use a curriculum in your homeschool, especially if like my husband and I, you are a working parent.
You might have already read or watch videos of different homeschooling families and I’m sure you have already noticed that we vary greatly. There are some homeschooling families that are all for buying curriculums, others will only use a curriculum for some subjects, some might create their own, while others like to go with the flow.
We love using an all inclusive curriculum and find it not only beneficial for our kids but also for us as parents (check out how we make it work here). If you are debating if you should use a curriculum in your homeschool, I have compiled 5 reasons why a curriculum in the homeschool is beneficial based on our personal experience.
1. All the heavy work of planning and aligning is done!
Don’t get me wrong! It doesn’t mean that you will not have to plan anything! You will still have to figure out how to deliver it and make it accessable for your children, BUT you won’t have to worry about piecing resources together from scratch.
2. Saves time.
As a teacher, I can tell you from first hand experience how time consuming it can be to just piece together one unit!
3. Gives you road map.
What should your child be learning? The truth is sometimes we don’t know! I don’t know what my child should know by the end of kindergarten, 1st grade, 2nd grade etc. A curriculum gives us a general idea of what our kids need to know to keep them on pace. Also, I don’t know nor do I remember everything. A curriculum can help me learn, remember or relearn those things that I have forgotten how to do.
4. Accountability!
Let’s be honest, we don’t always wake up cheery and feeling like homeschooling is the best thing in the world! Sometimes we are tired and don’t feel like doing anything. Having a curriculum helps you stay accountable and gives you a little push to keep on going.
5. Practicality
I feel that a curriculum is just something practical for our working family. My husband and I are both full time working parents and co-homeschool. Having a curriculum helps us both be on the same page and pick up where the other left off. It brings structure and consistency to our homeschool and helps ease the stress of teaching two children at 2 completely different levels Kindergarten & 5th grade.
This is why I’m pro curriculum as a working homeschooling parent. Is it doable without a curriculum, sure it is. But with the limited time that we have, our family’s life style and our personalities, the use of a curriculum is a must.
If you are interested in learning about that curriculum use you may check out my YouTube Channel’s Homeschool Playlist or join the email list below because I do plan on writing some future posts about the curriculum we use 🙂
If you are considering homeschooling make sure to read my post about 5 things that you must do before you homeschool!
So what are your thoughts? Are you a homeschooling parent leaning towards using a curriculum or against? Let me know in the comments!
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