Not sure your child is ready to read yet? That is the first thing to sort out, and it is easy to check. More on that below. First, try a gentle book-based unit free.
Get the free unitHow to homeschool a 5 year old
A five year old is ready for a little more than a four year old. Aim for short, warm lessons: early reading or letter sounds, counting and simple number sense, and a lot of read-aloud.
What matters at five and six is starting to learn to read. Actually getting to "he reads" can come at their own time. Don't rush the finish line, just start the work.
On average, families land on about an hour of actual seat work across the whole day, split into small pieces.
The biggest mistake is worrying too much over reading. If reading is not clicking yet, that is normal and not a problem to fix. Keep it light, keep it daily, and let the rest be play and books.
What kindergarten at home actually needs
Reading: a short, consistent phonics routine (letter sounds, then blending), plus daily read-alouds that make books the best part of the day.
Math: counting, patterns, more and less, simple addition with real objects to model it, ten minutes is plenty. Everything else, science, art, history, grows naturally out of the books you read. Keep the whole academic day to about an hour, broken up, with lots of play around it.
Is your child ready to read?
Children start reading anywhere from four to seven, and all of that is normal. Pushing a child who is not ready creates a fight; waiting a few months often turns the same child into a happy reader.
Watch for the signs: knowing most letter sounds, hearing rhymes, wanting to be read to. If you are unsure where your child is, a quick reading check tells you exactly where to start so you teach at the right level instead of guessing.
You can check for all of the signs using our free reading assessment here.
Don't force reading for a kindergartener if they're not ready.
Math is the same, there's no rush. If you'd like to see where your child is starting, a quick math readiness check helps you assess if your child is ready to start a math program or what their level is. Find your child's math level.
A gentle kindergarten day
A read-aloud and a few minutes talking about it. Ten minutes of phonics. Ten minutes of hands-on math. One activity, science, art, or nature, pulled from the book. Then play, outside time, and real life alongside you. That is a full kindergarten day, and most of it is warm, not schooly.
If you want a book-based kindergarten
You can anchor the whole year in beautiful books and add a phonics program for the reading mechanics. The books carry science, history, art, and real thinking; the phonics program carries reading.
The free unit below shows exactly how one book becomes about two weeks of learning across every subject.
Get the free unitIt is the first unit of The Living Year (disclosure, I made this): a Charlotte Mason inspired, book-based curriculum for ages four to nine, secular and faith-friendly. Pair it with a dedicated reading program like All About Reading and a math program like All About Math and you have a gentle, complete kindergarten with high quality literature and critical thinking for your child.
Recommended reading and math programs
The Living Year is the content and the thinking. For the skills, pair it with a dedicated reading and math program when your child is ready.
- Reading and phonics: All About Reading, Logic of English, or Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons.
- Math: Math with Confidence, Singapore Dimensions Math, or All About Math.
Full disclosure: some of the above are affiliate links and I earn a small commission from them at no cost to you. Shopping through them supports my family and it's a nice way to say thank you if my work has helped you at all. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
FAQ
What should a kindergarten homeschool curriculum include?
Reading (phonics plus read-alouds), early math, and plenty of books. Science, art, and history can grow out of the books.
Is there a free kindergarten homeschool curriculum?
Yes, your library plus free phonics and math resources go a long way, and the free unit above is about two weeks of book-based learning.
How many hours a day is kindergarten homeschool?
About an hour of gentle academics, broken into short pieces, with lots of play around it.
What if my child isn't reading yet?
That is normal through age six or seven. Check if they're ready to start here; it only takes about 10 minutes.
How do I homeschool a 5 year old?
Short daily lessons in early reading and numbers, heavy on read-alouds and play. About an hour of focused work on average, broken into small chunks. If reading has not clicked yet, wait without worry.