How to Pick a Curriculum
(Without Falling for Every Shiny New Thing)
Many years ago, we found ourselves at a homeschool convention, and somewhere between sessions, a fellow vendor—not a homeschooler himself—grinned and said, "Homeschoolers are a fickle bunch. They'll buy anything new, any fad that comes along."
We bristled. But the more we thought about it, the more we had to admit he had a point. Over the years, we've seen trend after trend, gadget after gadget, sweep through the homeschooling world like educational pet rocks.
So how do you pick a curriculum that actually fits your family—and avoid being dazzled by the latest "must-have"? Here's a little advice from inside the trenches:
1. Set Real Goals
Before you even crack open a catalog, know your aim. Get specific. Clear goals help you evaluate whether a curriculum fits or is just flashy fluff. And while you might need to meet state standards, don't get trapped by every opinion from friends, family, or the local Facebook group.
2. Know Your Child's Learning Style
Your hands-on learner will fidget and flop through flashcards.
Your visual learner might light up.
Everyone learns differently, and knowing how your child learns best can save you tons of frustration (and maybe a few tears).
Pick programs that match your child's natural style—because learning something new already brings its own stress.
3. Stick with What Works
There's no shortage of fancy new gadgets, repackaged duds, and oh-so-glittery programs trying to grab your attention.
Spoiler alert: what works in a classroom with 30 kids often doesn't work at your kitchen table.
If your current curriculum is:
- Helping your child grow,
- Matching their learning style,
- Challenging but not crushing them,
- Affordable,
- And it lines up with your family's values...
Why change?
Before you swap, ask yourself: What real problem am I trying to solve?
4. Our Goal Isn't Just to Sell You Stuff
At Timberdoodle, we only handpick what we think is genuinely excellent.
But here's the deal: what's perfect for our family may not be the right fit for yours.
We want you to love homeschooling—whether that's with our materials or not.
Behind every slick ad and shiny new thing is the temptation to feel discontent. We're not here for that. We're here to help you succeed at teaching your amazing, unique kids—with or without Timberdoodle in your cart.
