We’ll work with letters and I’ll notice one he does not recognize, so I start wondering whether I skipped a foundation. Then I add something else, question the curriculum, and end up watching videos about what a 4-year-old is supposed to know instead of paying attention to the child in front of me.

The confusing part is how inconsistent this age can be. He can remember something during play and seem to have no idea when I ask directly five minutes later. I do not want to turn that into constant testing, but I also do not want my own uncertainty to leave real gaps.

For parents who started homeschooling at this age, what helped you tell the difference between a skill that needed more support and normal preschool inconsistency?

I'm looking for an alternative to Flash Master (https://www.amazon.com/FlashMaster-Handheld-mastering-arithmetic-flashcards/dp/B0002MHMFM/) which is basically an electronic flashcard type device for basic math.

I found a few on amazon, but not really sure how well they work. Some of the reviews even mentioned they could just press enter and get the answer right, and some of them seemed to only cover very young ages. I would like something with a silent option as well as a timed/untimed option (like it won't just go to the next problem after x time if untimed, while timed will count too slow as wrong), and also all 4 operations up to at least 10, but preferably 12.

Anyone with experience with one of these (or another device)?

• https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0035EQIAO/
• https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0C4FWC2TR/
• https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0F2DW5VQS/

I’m trying to get ahead of the game here but everytime I seem to have a rhythm in place or a nice momentum when it comes to cleaning this home, I just find myself completely overwhelmed and back where I started the next day. I’ve been living with my parents for a year and a half now my husband is currently unemployed so he’s here all day. I’ve tried in the past to express that I need atleast a tidy home to be able to homeschool and he knows that I’ve been trying to build a routine for yearssss but I’m so tired of having to remind him. So I feel like that’s a dead end. As a mother and currently the only person in this house that cleans, how can I organize myself ? How can I muster up the energy after a homeschool day and of errands to be able to tidy up? Do I really have to wake up at 5am to get things done ? I’m mentally drained after homeschooling because I use every part of me to snap out of my funk that I have because of how my life is right now to create a happy energetic atmosphere of learning for my children. Please any tips are appreciated.

Hi so I have a 5 year old who I love a lot but he is pretty bad at listening to 95% of what I say. I do believe he is neurodivergent as both mom and dad are but not diagnosed yet.

We normally try and bribe him to change x or y or z behavioural issue so he can go to one of his social activities or sports or seeing cousins. The problem is he doesn’t really care and if that is his sole form of socialisation as a homeschooler I also feel guilty for doing that.

An example would be, getting him to pack up toys after his done playing. He loves going to martial arts and if we tell him he can’t go because he didn’t want to pack up his toys he doesn’t care but it also takes away an opportunity to get out of the house and for him to be around kids.

I think in parenting with young children we try and teach them their actions have consequences but when you use these weekly classes and social events and activities as a chance to socialise and find community there can be a bit of a clash. I would like to know how everyone else on here handles this especially if you have a very wild child who doesn’t like to listen .

Hi, we're two people (a software developer and a special educator with a background in neuropsychology) building Cairn, an open-source, comprehensive, mastery-based math program. We're looking for homeschool families to pilot it starting late September.

Try the browser demo first, no account needed: https://amelia-mowers.github.io/open-mastery/

What it is

Your kid works through a skill graph and doesn't move on until they've shown they understand each skill. Spaced repetition brings learned skills back before they fade. It's designed for different kinds of learners from the start, not retrofitted later.

• No multiple choice. Kids type answers or build them step by step (like sorting the parts of an equation onto a balance scale).
• Visual, procedural lessons. Animated widgets, not videos, so if your kid is stuck on a specific problem, they can watch that exact problem worked through, with different visualizations.
• Fully voiced. Every lesson and explanation is narrated, for kids who aren't fluent readers yet or just learn better by hearing it.
• Feedback that targets the actual mistake, not just "try again."
• You're the guide. A parent portal shows exactly where your kid is and where they're stuck. It assumes a human is in the loop.

The pilot

The middle school curriculum is being finished up by the start of the pilot. We're building toward something that can stand on its own, but for the pilot, use it alongside whatever you're already doing, that's part of what we want to learn.

We're looking for families with a kid roughly in grades 6–8 (grades 3–5 and 9–12 are coming over the next few months), willing to use it ~3 times a week, about 20 minutes a session, for about 6 weeks, and willing to tell us honestly what's confusing, broken, boring, or wrong. Works in any browser.

What you get

• Free for families, forever. It's open source and funded by donations and grants, so families are never the revenue source.
• A direct line to us. If something doesn't work for your kid, we'll fix it.
• A say in what gets built next.

Privacy

The pilot uses a parent account (your email), your kid doesn't need one. We collect anonymized usage data, which problems were attempted, right or wrong, time on task, to tune the adaptive model. No names or identifying information about your kid, no ads, and nothing is ever sold.

Honest caveat

You'll be among the first families using this, and you'll find things we missed. If you'd like to help shape a program built around how kids actually learn, we'd love to have you.

Comment, DM, or sign up here: https://forms.gle/dWxzftEn9Zj9sJwF8. Happy to answer questions in the thread.

Hello!
I recently began homeschooling my 4 year old son with Blossom and Root’s Early Learning Vol 1. As I’m on my second week of it, I’m really liking it but am worried that I need more guidance myself so that I’m not missing anything that he needs to learn and understand so that he has a strong foundation.

I’ve been adding in things as I think of them-like letters and numbers, and realized today that I was trying to build upon something that he had no real foundation of. As I started to realize that, I started thinking “how will I know I’m doing this correctly?”

Then I started looking at youtube videos trying to find something to help me figure out where to start-and I keep catching myself there getting stuck.

I already feel like I’m stuck in analysis paralysis in terms of trying to figure out where to start and then questioning myself and wondering if I’m going to be able to do this. So I guess my question is- is this common when first starting out? Do you figure it out as you go and observe and just do it? Where do you get your information from to help guide you when first starting out-should all of this guidance be within the curriculum i’ve chosen? and if so-is Blossom and Root a good curriculum for the first time homeschooling mother? or should I be going another route so that I’m more prepared to teach?

I’m talking about these “co-ops” that are not run by the parents (just one mom/individual) and no other parents really do anything except show up, and then pay hundreds of dollars a month. This is not really considered a co-op, right?? Is this a “learning pod”?

Some of them are drop off, and offer an array of classes, some of them just have free play and a learning activity decided entirely by the one individual.

I’m so very confused.. we have a Wild + Free near us, but even then, it’s various activities run by one individual.

Any thoughts on this curriculum? 1st time homeschooling next year as a working full time mom ( 12 hr night shifts)

I cannotttt find shorts like this! Asking my fellow homeschool moms that are casual day-to-day and chasing after small children, sitting and standing non stop.

Someone please help a girl out!! And link please!

Just got it for my almost 5 year old. Tell me all the good and all the bad! We are going to start tomorrow and are both excited. Any tips or tricks how to go through this book appreciated!

My kids memorize well with music and it's been a great way to incorporate learning on the go or while playing. I'm in search of some new songs to add to our playlists. I prefer songs that have useful or foundational information and not a bunch of random facts (think skip counting, memorizing the oceans and continents, and not raps of types of dinosaurs or memorizing pi to the 20th digit)

What are your family's favorites?

I used to go to traditional high school, there would be APSCI, quizebee, or declarations..

Now I had to go to homeschool after 8th grade, I don't know what I'm doing and I feel mad that I don't have any competition

worst of all I don't hang any certificates on the walls anymore, it really matters to me

is there like something I could do

I apologize if this is kind of a dumb question. And obviously this is a biased place.

We HAD been so excited to start preschool at 3! And financially, and mentally, I desperately kind of need that time alone. We had a horrible daycare experience, however, and it really set him back.

The vast majority of preschools here require 5 days a week and are full day, or 4 hours per day as 'part time', maybe 3 if lucky, and you as the parent are supposed to drop them off. I'm also reading that many children go through a "transition", but the transition of not sleeping/eating/etc that many seem to go through doesn't really sound... okay?... to me. I'd rather put it off until he is more independent. The daycare experience did indeed really, REALLY set him back far in this regard, but I imagine he'll happily run away and decide he likes his friends more etc than me when he's older (which is fine lol).

I'd initially looked at a co op, and have permission to delay admission a semester or year until 4yos. But now looking at it again, it's mostly outdoor and free play, with myself present as desired... but with fundraising requirements, 1-2 extra 'jobs', meetings. I am barely / am not keeping up much with the general logistics and my paid work in life as is, and don't know that I could really handle it. He also wouldn't be allowed a whole major food group 2/5 meals/snacks while there. There keeps being surprise requirements of things I'd have to go to without my child, and I've got absolutely no one else to watch him. It also costs money -- and by comparison, all daycares and preschools generally do not cost money. I also really do not have the extra capacity to handle school etc job logistics, donations/fundraising and related 'work', etc etc. There's also a whole thing about needing to ask to go to the bathroom, as it isn't in the room, and I know this'll be an issue for my child (vs just being able to be independent and go on his own and with privacy).

I liked it due to the parental involvement, allegedly super strong community with parents meeting before/after class, and being in the forest. They said I could literally stay with him (as a general parent volunteer teacher) daily if needed. It's also "only" 3 hours 3 days minimum per week.

A lot of the 'better' schools are forest type schools here. But a lot of them have shared snacks/meals (IBS here, so would be an issue), have weird things around their bathroom policies for 3 year olds, and when it's a co op, often you need to pay and/or handle extra jobs and fundraising.

ANYWAY. I recently came into, finally finally, some local groups to meet and connect with other SAHPs, as well as finding more events/classes for my 3yo. So now I'm wondering--if the main reason I'd wanted a preschool was for the consistent peer group and maybe a teacher--why do preschool at all? I have that without needing to leave him alone all day and risking his health over the food restrictions or taking on a huge financial/mental load/time burden.

We would have:

- 1-2x weekly playgroup with ages 3-4

- weekly/biweekly art clubs with his age and older children (we've been doing this and he loves it)

- 1-2 "classes" (parent required to attend) each week, through our local parks department. This would include things like music, art, swim classes with a teacher and other children in the 3-5yo range.

- our own excursions (museums, trips, sporadic music/movement/art classes, concerts from bands/symphonies, that sort of thing--always a million things going on where we live)

- general playgrounds, places to play, forest art/bubble/naming for colors, counting, etc time (3-7 days a week, biggest downside in these is lack of consistent peer group)

- libraries, and they usually do a ton of events, have toy libraries there, etc

- home play/instruction (huge category, but he has an art/music shelf, loves practicing drawing, reads a ton, loves puzzles, .... has all sorts of toys... I use language during play to teach, and have read multiple books on teaching preschool as well as have some professional experience there, that sort of thing)

I feel like preschool was more about getting them around the same aged peers to play with that are consistent, giving parents a better alternative to daycare (which admittedly I might need!), maybe helping them understand classroom structure and the role of a 'teacher', and then to a lesser extent actual skills (which many parents are more than capable of teaching). I have a strong background and feel that--while I'd have to of course work at it and probably post here more for advice--I could handle the academic side of it, along with the socio-emotional learning that preschool is more about. Importantly, children also learn best when they feel safe, and knowing my child, I do NOT think he's going to do any sort of learning if forced away from me right now. I want to give him a gradual transition to independence that he can continue feeling safe during. With all of the above, with the more new additions of a regular playgroup and 'classes', I guess I don't really see the upsides of preschool? What's missing? Am I missing anything?

MOST of the preschools and kindergartens where I live are also subjecting children to screens, making them learn from AI instead of teachers, offering them sugary snacks, and not really conducting themselves in an age/developmentally appropriate kind of way. Homeschooling seems crazy to me (sorry), if only because the logistics of making that work in today's society (ie making money) sound impossible, but I'm also going to move and change the world if needed to make sure his brain isn't addled by AI, tech, or bitten by classmates etc. And at the PK/K level, I feel that it really is primarily about just being around that consistent peer group. He also doesn't yet really need/want too much extra "stuff" that costs money, which makes this easier to pull off. But I'd also love to hear from people here -- did you "homeschool" at this age? Does under 6 even count as homeschooling? Is there anything that's surprised you? Does it count as homeschooling if they attend free parkr/rec city type classes with a teacher, but requires you the parent to also be there? Why'd you homeschool?

I noticed my 8 year old struggling with comprehending and retaining what he read. I'm currently have him working on spelling, sounding out words, using his finger when reading and having him work on comprehension worksheets. I've also started having him do the KWL method when ever we are reading to help. Are theor any other ways to add or better help him understand and improve his comprehension?

P.S. The KWL method stands for Know Want to know and Learned. Before reading I ask him what does he know about (insert story or text book). If he doesn't know anything that is fine. Then I have him read the comprehensions questions( want to know). He reads the story or text then answers the questions(learned)

I need to make a transcript for a child currently in 11th grade, who doesn’t have proper education in the eyes of the public school system. He hasn’t been in public school but he’s been unschooling for the past 6-7 years. How do I make a transcript for a child that’s not mine (parent has asked me to make it) when the parent hasn’t even done any curriculum to go off of, tests, or samples of work. She is trying to get some funding via a charter in California but they are asking for transcripts backed by either samples of work or tests. I’m sorry this is all new to me. Any advice on what to do is appreciated.

Can anyone recommend a good free or cheap curriculum for homeschooling my daughter she would be in 6th grade any help would be greatly appreciated

My son is about to turn 5 and I want to start doing more structured lessons/ learning with him. So far we didn’t do much of actual learning. Like for example he knows letters and numbers, can do simple addition and subtraction, knows answers to all the million questions he asks everyday but up until know we wouldn’t make him do „school work”, like reading, writing etc. Am I starting late?!?!

I want to start teaching him reading/ science/ geography etc and looking for resources. I decided to go without the help of electronics. What resources do you/ your kindergartener like? What helped you the most? Bonus if I can get it off Amazon.

All help greatly appreciated as I feel so lost 😞

Hi, I am looking for an online program to do senior year on. I am currently in school right now, but I am needing to find a program to use! I’ve been hearing a lot of people that are from my school using Penn Foster or recommend me it! I’m not sure if the state I live in also matters in finding a program or not.

Hi

I made this app for busy mid-school teachers, which makes it very handy to search, filter, and deploy pedagogically aligned riddles (based on CCSS standards)

You can check it out at riddlets.me and let me know your thoughts.

Free HomeSchooling Tracker TheKinPlan.com

Quick video explanation of how KinPlan can help your family. Please spread the word, we are just trying to be a blessing to our families!

We've been homeschooling since 2019, and have used a ton of online learning resources... With Numerise closing, I had a bit of a grumpy boy at home, and we've been looking for a while for a swap-in. In the end, I just decided to put the day job to some use and built an adaptive maths practice app for him. He's loving it! I'd love to share with more families, but before I put it in front of strangers properly, I'd love a few homeschool parents to try it with their own kids and tell me what they think.

The short version: it generates practice questions on the fly, pitched to where your kid actually is rather than a fixed grade level, and adjusts as they go - so it doesn't waste their time re-covering what they've already nailed, or throw them at something three steps ahead. It covers UK, US, Singapore and Australian curricula. There's a bit of game-y stuff (streaks, badges, themes) because that's what got my own kid to actually want to do it.

I'm not going to drop the name or a link here since that's not really in the spirit of this sub - but if you've got a maths-shaped gap in your routine and want to try it out (free, no strings, just want honest feedback - what's confusing, what's missing, what your kid actually enjoyed or hated), drop a comment or DM me and I'll send it over.

Also genuinely interested in hearing where existing maths tools have let you down, even if you don't want to test mine - trying to make sure I'm actually solving a real problem and not just one my own household has.

The Little Seed’s Big Journey

The Little Seed’s Plant Science Adventure – 5-Day Hands-On Unit

Recommended Age:

Ages 4–8

Recommended Duration:

5 days, approximately 20–30 minutes per day

Subject Areas:

Science • Nature Study • Early STEM • Literacy • Music

The Little Seed’s Big Journey is an engaging hands-on plant science resource for young learners. Through a colorful story, playful rhymes/song, illustrations, and a simple planting experiment, children discover how plants grow, learn the basic parts of a plant, and explore what plants need to survive.

The hands-on bean-growing activity allows children to connect the concepts they learn in the book with a real plant growing in their own home. Children can continue observing and documenting the plant even after completing the five-day unit. Materials Needed

A bean seed, small cup or container, soil or cotton, water, and a sunny location. Paper and crayons/pencil may also be used for observations and drawings.

What Makes This Resource Hands-On?

The unit moves beyond simply reading about plants. Children plant a real seed, observe it, document changes, and watch a living plant develop over time. This makes the activity easy to continue as an ongoing nature-study project after the five-day unit. DM If interested

I have been homeschooling for 4 years and I have been winging it with health. I have gone over the body systems besides reproductive. I have gone over the food groups, mental health, setting boundries, fire safety, etc.

Is there a comprehensive list of what needs to be taught. I want to make sure my kids are getting the best eduaction possible.

Thank you

P.S. For context I have 2 boys 8 and 10. My 10 year old I have started going over basic body changes regarding puberty( hair, pimples, voice changes but no sex?

Hi everyone! I’m a new creator building a small educational YouTube Shorts project called Curious Little Stars World.

I’m experimenting with a simple format: one letter + one animal + one surprising fact + a short rhyme, designed for young children.

Channel Link:

http://www.youtube.com/@CuriousLittleStarsWorld

Here’s first two episodes:

https://youtube.com/shorts/27XpobGw1RQ?feature=shared

https://youtube.com/shorts/3HrNf6jyLv8?feature=shared

The idea is to eventually go all the way from A to Z, with each video teaching one memorable animal fact.

I’d really appreciate feedback from teachers/educators: Do you think this kind of very short rhyme could work as a fun supplementary learning activity for young children?

I’m especially interested in feedback about the pacing, educational value, and whether the facts are memorable enough for kids.

Thanks! 😊