Before you choose a curriculum, can I gently suggest backing up for a second and taking a look at learning styles first? I say that with love—and from experience—because knowing how your child learns will save you frustration, arguments, and a whole lot of money.
So many of us pick curriculum based on what we like as parents… only to discover later it was a complete mismatch for our kids. Cue the tears, the power struggles, and the “Well THAT was expensive…” moment.
Let’s walk through how to choose a curriculum intentionally—one that works for your child, your budget, and your sanity.
Figuring Out Your Child’s Learning Style
If you haven’t already, go check out my full post on learning styles. Knowing your child’s approach is the cheat code to making curriculum decisions with confidence.
There are many styles out there—traditional “school at home,” classical, Charlotte Mason, Montessori, Waldorf, unschooling, eclectic, online school, gameschooling, project-based learning, and so on—but the key is this:
Your child may not learn like you do.
Once you understand how they process information best, everything else becomes easier.
For example, I’ve realized I’m more drawn to a classical education style — not rigid or overwhelming, but enough structure paired with hands-on learning, meaningful reading, and memorizing facts that actually stick. But this isn’t necessarily how my children learn. One of my kids thrives with a lot of structure, which is why he does best with an online program, while my younger two are more kinesthetic learners, so we lean into an eclectic mix of Montessori-style learning and gameschooling.
What Does Curriculum Really Cost?
Homeschooling can cost next to nothing… or thousands of dollars a year. It depends on:
- How many kids you have
- Whether you use online programs, boxed curriculum, or DIY resources
- If you join paid co-ops or classes
- How much hands-on printing and prep you’re willing to handle
There are tons of free materials online, but be honest with yourself—printing those resources adds up. Sometimes buying a ready-made curriculum costs less in the long run than printing 500 pages at home.
One of the biggest benefits of free or low-cost resources, though, is that you can mix and match styles. It gives you the flexibility to test things out and see what clicks without committing to something huge upfront.
My recommendation?
Invest first in the core subjects—math, reading, and spelling—and build outward from there.
Once your child can read, your library card becomes the most powerful curriculum purchase you ever make.
Truly—use it. It’s gold.
Avoiding the “I Bought a Whole Curriculum and It Was a Disaster” Trap
I cannot stress this enough:
✔ First, figure out your child’s learning style
✔ THEN choose curriculum
Otherwise, it’s very easy as parents to buy what we would have enjoyed… and then wonder why our kids are in tears at the kitchen table.
Ask me how I know.
We’ve changed pretty much everything over the years except for two things that worked perfectly from day one:
Those have been our tried-and-true since the beginning. Everything else has evolved as the kids grew, their needs changed, or we learned more about what helped them thrive.
When to Switch Curriculum
Good rule of thumb:
Give it at least three weeks.
It takes about 21 days to form a new habit—not just for kids but for us parents, too.
If after three weeks you’re still:
- Fighting every lesson
- Feeling defeated
- Seeing no connection or progress
- Watching the joy drain from learning
…you have permission to switch.
Curriculum is a tool—not a commitment.
And it should never damage your relationship with your child.
Online vs. Hands-On: Which Is Better?
Every kid is different.
In our house:
- One child has to touch and manipulate materials or the concept doesn’t stick.
- One is Montessori-inclined—he takes a concept and runs with it if he’s genuinely interested.
- One is a visual learner who thrives on online programs and screen-based explanations.
There is no wrong choice.
There is only what works best for your child.
Reading Reviews Without Getting Sucked Into the “Must Buy Something New” Trap
I love curriculum reviews. I could watch them all day—and even after seven years of homeschooling, I still get the itch to buy new things when the school year rolls around.
My advice?
- Watch multiple reviewers
- Look for people who show the inside of the curriculum
- Choose voices whose teaching style feels similar to your own
One of my favorites is A Place to Nest—she does great walkthroughs that help you actually see whether something would fit your child’s needs.
Even seasoned homeschoolers can fall for the shiny new curriculum. Check out my [full post here] to learn practical tips for avoiding the “must-buy” trap.
Homeschooling Multiple Kids with Different Needs
If you have more than one child, especially neurodivergent kids, you already know—every day can look different.
In our home:
- My hands-on learner has ADHD, so movement is part of learning.
- My visual learner has APD, so auditory lessons are hard and some information gets lost.
- My youngest has sensory challenges—some days that means extra snuggles just for his body to feel grounded.
A “lesson” might look like:
- Playing a board game while one child wiggles in place
- Another follows the rules and visuals
- The youngest cuddles in my lap while participating with us
Or a documentary or educational show where everyone is learning together in their own way.
Once you figure out how they learn, it becomes much easier to teach multiple kids at once—even if their styles are wildly different.
You really do find your rhythm.
When Should You Consider Cognitive Testing?
If something feels “off” and you’re struggling to find the right approach, cognitive testing can be incredibly eye-opening.
Where we live, clinics don’t test before age six, but once we finally had our oldest evaluated, we discovered his APD. None of the doctors before that had ever brought it up—and he was almost nine when we finally got the answers that changed everything.
If you feel in your gut that something isn’t clicking, testing can be worth every penny.
Budget-Friendly Homeschool Hacks
Stretching One Workbook Across Multiple Kids
If you buy a workbook, carefully unbind it, store the pages in a binder, and make copies as needed. Suddenly, one curriculum becomes reusable year after year.
Let the Library Work for You
Research books
Non-fiction
Picture books
Read-alouds
Audio books
The library is a homeschooler’s dream.
Use Technology
Educational shows, apps, and online games aren’t “cheating.” They’re tools—and good ones.
You can also find:
- Used curriculum on Facebook Marketplace
- Inexpensive books on ThriftBooks or Amazon
- Tons of printable resources online
Sign up to receive my list of educational TV shows your kids will actually enjoy.
Free or Low-Cost Curriculum Ideas
Gameschooling is one of the most affordable (and fun!) ways to learn. You can:
- Practice spelling with hangman or your own version of Wheel of Fortune
- Play “Price Is Right” in your pantry or grocery store for math
- Learn history through documentaries
- Expand vocabulary through word games
Affordable curriculum recommendations:
- All About Spelling – Around $100 but reusable with multiple kids
- Explode the Code – About $11 per workbook
- The Good and the Beautiful – Lots of free options
- Starfall
- Teach Your Monster to Read
- Education.com
- Teachers Pay Teachers
I also have a full post on our favorite homeschooling apps and video games if you want to dive deeper.
Finding the Balance: Saving Money vs. Investing Well
The trick is figuring out:
- What you need right now
- What just looks shiny
- What will last for multiple children
- What will truly support your child’s learning style
Sometimes the best investment is a solid set of math manipulatives or a reading program that finally clicks.
Sometimes the best investment is not buying anything, and realizing you already have what you need:
- Board games
- A deck of cards
- Nature walks
- YouTube documentaries
- Books from the library
- Your child’s natural curiosity
This past year, after hurricane repairs and having our school area packed up, our biggest learning wins came from gameschooling, D&D, Pokémon, and educational shows.
Learning doesn’t have to look like desks, chalkboards, and workbooks.
It just has to work.
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