How to Start Homeschooling for Kindergarten: Schedule and Curriculum Guide
- 14 hours ago
- 10 min read
Choosing to homeschool your kindergartener is a big and brave decision. It can feel exciting, hopeful, and a little scary at the same time. That’s completely normal.
Many parents worry about doing things “the right way.” They wonder if they know enough, have enough time, or need special training. The truth is, you already know your child better than anyone.
Starting kindergarten at home can feel exciting and a little overwhelming. You might be wondering:
Am I qualified to teach my child?
How many hours should we do each day?
Do I need an expensive curriculum?
Is homeschooling kindergarten even legal in my state?
If you’re searching for how to start homeschooling for kindergarten, you’re not alone. Thousands of U.S. parents begin their homeschool journey at this stage because kindergarten is flexible, playful, and development-focused.
The good news? Kindergarten homeschool does not look like a 6-hour public school day. It’s shorter, gentler, and often more joyful.
This guide will help you start with clarity, confidence, and a simple plan that truly works for your family.
TL;DR
Check your state laws first: Requirements vary, from notices to portfolios; know what your state expects.
Choose a curriculum that fits your child: Options include TSHA’s AEC, The Good & The Beautiful, and flexible mix-and-match programs.
Focus on foundational skills: Early reading, writing readiness, math, science, and social-emotional development through play and exploration.
Create a flexible daily rhythm: Short lessons, hands-on activities, and outdoor play work better than rigid timetables.
Get support when needed: Programs like TSHA provide structured lessons, live educator guidance, and resources for parents and teachers.
Understand Your State’s Homeschool Laws
Before you choose a curriculum or plan a schedule, pause and check your state laws. This step gives you peace of mind and helps you start the right way.
When parents research how to start homeschooling for kindergarten, they’re often surprised to learn that the school starting age varies by state. Kindergarten is not legally required everywhere.
Compulsory School Age Varies by State
Compulsory school age is the age at which a child must legally begin formal education. In some states, that age is six. In others, it is seven.
For example, the Education Commission of the States provides updated state-by-state comparisons showing these age differences across the country.
In many states, compulsory school age begins at 6 or 7. This means you may not need to file paperwork yet. However, always verify this with your state’s department of education.
Examples from Large U.S. States
Here is a simple overview of how requirements differ:
In Texas, homeschooling is treated as private schooling, with virtually no state regulation of curriculum, attendance, testing, or teacher certification.
Texas does not require parents to submit notice or follow specific reporting rules for kindergarten and other homeschool grades. Homeschools are legally recognized as private schools and are exempt from compulsory attendance laws.
In New York State, homeschooling includes a more formal reporting process than in many other states.
One key requirement is the Individualized Home Instruction Plan (IHIP), a written plan you must submit each year that outlines what and how you’ll teach your child.
Florida law requires parents who homeschool to file a written notice of intent to establish a home education program with their district school superintendent within 30 days of beginning home education.
This notice registers the program for compulsory attendance purposes. Parents must also maintain a portfolio of educational activities and conduct an annual educational evaluation, both of which are documented and submitted to the district.
These examples show why checking your own state rules is important before starting.
Quick Legal Checklist
Once you confirm your state’s rules, keep things simple. Most kindergarten homeschool requirements include basic record-keeping.
Depending on your state, you may need to:
Submit a notice of intent.
Keep attendance records.
Maintain a simple learning portfolio.
Track basic academic progress.
Many states are far less complicated than parents expect. Kindergarten homeschooling is often one of the easiest stages to begin.
Now that you know the basic rules for homeschooling in your state, it’s time to think about what your child will actually learn each day.
Choosing the right curriculum makes homeschooling easier, organized, and fun.
Also Read: Understanding HSLDA Homeschool Laws by State
Homeschooling Kindergarten: Curriculum Choices That Work
Starting kindergarten at home can feel exciting, and a little confusing when it comes to choosing what to teach. The key is to keep it simple, practical, and fun, so your child learns, plays, and grows without stress.
What Should You Teach in Kindergarten?
If you’re figuring out how to start homeschooling for kindergarten, focus on foundational skills, not perfection. Kindergarten is about exploring, practicing, and building confidence.
1. Core Areas to Cover:
Early Reading (Phonics)
Letter sounds
Blending simple words
Sight words
Read-aloud time
Writing Readiness
Pencil grip
Tracing letters
Copying short words
Drawing and labeling pictures
Math Basics
Counting to 100
Recognizing numbers
Simple addition using objects
Shapes and patterns
Science & Exploration
Nature walks
Seasons
Simple experiments
Observing plants and animals
Social & Life Skills
Sharing and taking turns
Listening and following directions
Cleaning up independently
Solving small problems with friends
2. Learning happens through:
Play
Conversation
Stories
Hands-on activities
Kindergarten does not mean worksheets all day. The best learning comes when your child is curious, engaged, and enjoying the process.
Here are some popular curriculum options, including the American Emergent Curriculum (AEC) used by The School House Anywhere (TSHA), explained in an easy, practical way.
1. American Emergent Curriculum (AEC) Used by TSH Anywhere
The American Emergent Curriculum (AEC) is all about letting kids learn in a way that feels natural and fun. Instead of strict lessons, it grows from what your child is curious about.
Your child can explore, play, and learn simultaneously, making each day enjoyable and meaningful.
Highlights:
Focuses on your child’s interests
Mixes hands-on activities with reading, math, and science
Includes art, nature, and social learning
Helps children build confidence, creativity, and social skills
Best for: Families who want to learn to feel natural and connected to real life.
2. The Good & The Beautiful
This program blends reading, writing, math, and art in one colorful, gentle curriculum. Lessons are easy to follow and enjoyable for young learners.
Highlights:
Moderate cost
Focus on phonics, reading, and math
Includes art and hands-on activities
Open-and-go, easy to use
Best for: Parents who want a simple, structured curriculum without stress.
3. All About Reading
All About Reading is perfect if your child needs extra help with reading. It uses step-by-step lessons and multisensory activities to make reading easier and more fun.
Highlights:
Higher cost
Strong focus on phonics and early reading skills
A multisensory approach helps children learn faster.
Best for: Kids who are just starting to read or need extra support with letters and sounds.
4. Blossom & Root
Blossom & Root is nature and story-focused. Lessons are themed and connect reading, math, and science in a fun, hands-on way.
Highlights:
Literature and nature-based
Fewer worksheets, more exploration
Encourages creative learning
Best for: Families who want a playful, gentle learning style.
5. Free & Low-Cost Options
You don’t have to spend a lot to homeschool your kindergarten child. Some free options are simple and effective.
Examples:
Easy Peasy All-in-One Homeschool: Covers reading, math, and more for free
Khan Academy Kids: Free interactive lessons for early learning
Best for: Families who want budget-friendly options or extra resources.
How to Choose the Right Curriculum
Choosing a curriculum can feel tricky, but it doesn’t have to be. The best one is the one that fits your child and your family, makes learning enjoyable, and keeps your days stress-free.
Here are a few things to consider:
What your child enjoys:
Some kids love hands-on projects, while others prefer reading or short, structured lessons. Picking something that matches their style makes learning fun and keeps them engaged.
How much prep time you want
Some curricula are ready to go, while others require more planning. Think about what works for your schedule and energy level.
Full curriculum or mix-and-match:
You can choose a complete program that covers everything, or combine subjects from different resources. Many parents start with one and adjust as they go.
Your family routine:
Make sure the curriculum fits into your daily schedule. Flexible programs are great if your days vary, while structured programs work well if you like consistency.
Quick Comparison: Kindergarten Curriculum Options
Curriculum | Cost | Focus | Prep & Ease | Best For |
American Emergent Curriculum (AEC) | $125(Included in TSHA’s program fee) | Child-led learning, projects, reading, math, social & emotional | Flexible, low-pressure, adapts to the child | Families who want playful, real-life learning (used by TSHA) |
The Good & The Beautiful | Moderate | Reading, writing, math, art | Open-and-go, structured | Parents who want gentle structure without stress |
All About Reading | Higher | Phonics & early reading | Scripted, step-by-step | Kids starting to read or needing extra reading support |
Blossom & Root | Moderate | Nature-based, literature, cross-subject | Easy to follow, creative, minimal worksheets | Families who prefer playful, thematic learning |
Easy Peasy All-in-One | Free | Reading, math, science, history | Online, ready to use | Budget-conscious families or supplemental use |
Khan Academy Kids | Free | Early literacy, math, and interactive learning | Online, self-guided | Supplemental lessons or extra practice |
Remember, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. You can always try something, see how it works, and adjust. The right curriculum is one that helps your child learn, explore, and grow while keeping your homeschool days happy and manageable.
Now that you’ve chosen a curriculum that fits your child and family, the next step is figuring out the timetable. Don’t worry about a strict timetable; young children thrive with a schedule that helps them balance learning, play, and rest, keeping each day productive and fun.
Once you have a flexible daily rhythm in place, you may want extra guidance and structured resources. The TSHA Homeschool Program provides ready-to-use lessons, hands-on activities, and support for parents, teachers, and educators.
Creating a Kindergarten Homeschool Schedule
Many parents get stuck here, but the truth is, you don’t need a rigid timetable for kindergarten. If you’re figuring out how to start homeschooling for kindergarten, a flexible daily rhythm works much better.
The goal is consistency, not perfection, and to make learning feel natural. Below are three simple ways to structure your day:
Sample Schedule 1: 2-Hour Morning Focus
8:30 am: Morning basket (calendar, song, prayer, or poem)
9:00 am: Phonics lesson
9:30 am: Math activity
10:00 am: Read-aloud
10:30 am: Outdoor play
Done by late morning, leaving the rest of the day for free play or family time.
Sample Schedule 2: Flexible Block Style
Morning: Literacy focus (30–45 minutes)
Afternoon: Math plus a hands-on activity
Evening: Family read-aloud
This style works well for homes that want a relaxed, balanced approach without strict timing.
Sample Schedule 3: Working Parent Model
Morning: 20 minutes of reading practice
Afternoon: Independent play plus educational games
Weekend: Science experiments, nature walks, or field trips
Perfect for families who need flexibility around work schedules.
Tips for making a schedule work:
Keep lessons short and hands-on for young children.
Include plenty of play and outdoor time.
Follow your child’s natural attention span; some days may be longer, some shorter.
Focus on consistency, not rigid hours.
How Many Hours a Day Do You Need?
This is one of the biggest concerns for parents. The truth? Most homeschool kindergarten days include 1–2 hours of focused learning. That’s it. The rest of the day can include:
Outdoor play
Free exploration
Reading together
Crafts
Helping in the kitchen
Young children learn best in short bursts. Their attention span is limited, and that’s completely normal.
Instead of worrying about exact times, let your day follow a gentle rhythm. When learning happens naturally through play, stories, and short lessons, kids stay interested, confident, and excited to explore.
The School House Anywhere (TSHA) Homeschool Program
For parents looking for a complete, supportive homeschool solution, The School House Anywhere (TSHA) offers a program powered by the American Emergent Curriculum (AEC). Designed for children ages 3–12, it blends reading, math, science, art, and social-emotional learning into interconnected, hands-on lessons.
What makes TSHA special:
Child-first approach: Lessons grow from your child’s curiosity, keeping learning engaging and fun.
Screen-free learning: Focuses on real-world experiences and hands-on projects.
Live support and guidance: Access to trained educators, workshops, webinars, and a national community of homeschooling parents.
Comprehensive resources: Printable materials, lesson plans, videos, and portfolio tracking tools help parents feel confident teaching at home.
Flexible and innovative: Updated annually to include the latest research and best practices in early education.
With TSHA, parents get a ready-to-use, flexible program that makes homeschooling kindergarten manageable, enjoyable, and effective.
Conclusion
Starting kindergarten at home may feel overwhelming at first, but it doesn’t have to be. You don’t need a formal teaching degree, a perfect schedule, or a classroom full of supplies. What matters most is keeping it simple and focused.
A successful homeschool day includes:
Understanding your state’s homeschool requirements
Following a flexible, engaging curriculum
Short, hands-on learning sessions
Plenty of time for play and exploration
Homeschooling kindergarten is about nurturing curiosity, confidence, and joy, for both your child and you. Once you get started, you’ll see how natural and rewarding it can be.
If you want extra guidance, the TSHA Homeschool Program makes it easy to teach with confidence.
If you’re a parent, teacher, or educator, enroll in the program today to access structured lessons, hands-on activities, and live support, helping you create a fun, engaging kindergarten experience at home.
FAQs
1. Do I need a teaching degree to homeschool kindergarten?
No, you don’t need a formal teaching degree. Parents can successfully guide their children using simple lesson plans, hands-on activities, and resources like TSHA. The focus is on making learning fun, engaging, and developmentally appropriate.
2. How long should a homeschool kindergarten day last?
Kindergarten at home usually works best with 1–3 hours of focused learning each day. Include plenty of play, movement, and outdoor exploration to keep children engaged and curious. Flexibility is key; some days may be shorter or longer depending on your child.
3. Can I mix curricula or programs?
Absolutely! Many families combine multiple resources to suit their child’s interests and learning style. You can use structured programs like TSHA alongside free or supplemental activities for a well-rounded approach. This keeps learning varied, engaging, and stress-free.
4. How do I track my child’s progress?
Tracking can be simple and creative. Use a learning journal, photos, portfolios, or checklists to document milestones. This shows growth over time and helps you adjust lessons without relying on formal tests or grades.
5. Is homeschooling kindergarten legally allowed in all states?
Yes, but requirements vary by state. Some states need a notice of intent, portfolio, or reporting. Always check your state’s homeschool laws before starting to ensure compliance and a smooth start.
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