Taniya

i did rod and staff when i was little and later switched to Abeka from which i just graduated from! it is a good curriculum they both are.

Zack

I like ABEKA too.

You can also go to a large bookstore. I know Boarder and Barnes and Noble both have a good selection of workbooks for all grades

Tyree

You do not need a formal curriculum for homeschooling, especially at the preschool age. You also do not need a schedule-a routine is good. There is no set schedule for homeschooling-you find what works for your family/child and go with that.

First, I suggest you visit the Worldbook Encyclopedia website. Click on parents, and then on Typical Course of Study. They have a Scope and Sequence for each grade level from Preschool-12.

I also like What Your Preschooler Needs To Know by E.D. Hirsch. It is available from your local book store and/or library, as is What Your Kindergartener Needs to Know, What Your First Grader Needs To Know, etc. The same company (Core Knowledge Foundation) publishes the Preschool sequence and K-8 Sequence which we briefly used and still have as a reference.

One of my favorite books is Ready for Kindergarten. I believe the author is Susan Wilcox, but I could be wrong. I purchased this book from Amazon, and the cover is a peach and lavendar check.

A child the age of your 3 year old should learn while having fun and exploring the world. So, use limited formal learning time and instead utilize educational manipulatives, such as puzzles, and games, such as Memory or Chutes and Ladders.

Websites can be fun! Check out,,, and the sites for Nick Jr. and Disney. Look for things that are “Out of the Box” as well, such as live webcams from zoos. And, speaking of zoos, their websites usually have educational activities and information as well.

Go to as many places as you can-the children’s museum, the art museum, the aquarium, the zoo, etc. Look for programs in your community for history, art, music, science, etc. and take advantage of those.

Most libraries and/or book stores have a weekly story time for toddlers and preschoolers, with activities.

Find a homeschool group in your area. They will be able to give you feedback on any materials they have used and will probably let you look through it so you can determine if it would work for you and your child before wasting time and money.

I hope this helps, and wish you the best!

EDITED TO ADD:

We also really like BrainQuest-a card game available at most book stores. JumpStart software is great as well!

Lacey

The main thing I worry about with preschoolers is getting them to recognize shapes and colors. Learning 1-10, the ABC song, and sequencing (which of these three pictures happens first, second, third…), and reading stories with them.

Additionally, I include my preschoolers in whatever activity I happen to be working on, whether that be folding laundry, cooking, reading, etc… Allowing them to be a part of everything you do will be better for them than a straight “out of the book” approach.

Juliette

Braxowl really did give you a complete and fantastic answer. The only thing I would add to hers is that there is also a great book called The Ultimate Book of Homeschooling Ideas. You can get it on Amazon.com and it has so many fabulous activities you can do with preschoolers, as well as older children. Enjoy your homeschooling journey!

Efrain

For a three year old child, you do not need to buy a packaged curriculum.
Your child needs to play, learn colors, and explore her world. You can provide crayons and paper, glue, playdo, and lego blocks. Read with her. Let her help you mix the juice, set the table, sort laundry, read stop signs and store signs. You will soon see how much you can teach her by being involved and talking with her.

Here are some basic things you can do:

Line up the cups for lunch, or toy cars or whatever, and count them. Make sure you have her always start at the left! This is very important.

Teach her to write her name, and the names of family members. She can make a booklet of people who love her and draw a picture of everyone.

Teach her to write her telephone number and address. She can mail a picture to Gramma this way. Kids find this far more exciting than sending an email.

Buy a small pack of crayons, 8 is best for this. Look at the color names. Write them down, in the correct color. She can copy them.

Playing with lego blocks builds some spatial awareness and creativity. She will be learning that 4+4=8 when two square bricks cover that basic 8 dot rectangle.

Teach her left and right. Observe her dominant hand. Practice this when you tie shoes. “Now we’ll tie the left shoe!”

Enjoy your child. I hope you will continue in this blessed journey of home educating. It builds the relationship between you and your child(ren) and allows for a custom education for your unique child.

Abagail

Sonlight is all planned out for you. They offer a 4 or 5 day program. It’s a wonderful curriculum, lots of good books and interaction with your child.
Best of Luck!
Jana