Christian homeschoolers consider the Bible as the foundation in building their children's faith. Many families choose to read the Bible daily to begin their school day. Academically, the majority of kindergarten curricula target the "3 R's": reading, writing and math. The goal of most homeschoolers for kindergarten is to teach basic reading skills through the use of phonics lessons and practice. Beginning writers learn how to form letters through handwriting exercises. Math typically focuses on number recognition, identifying patterns, counting, and simple addition and subtraction problems.
Many homeschoolers consider kindergarten as the ideal time to begin exposing kids to literature by reading aloud Aesop's Fables, fairy tales, nursery rhymes and modern stories. Science is often studied informally through nature observation, reading aloud books on basic concepts, and field trips to zoos, aquariums, tide pools, and gardens. History is not normally studied formally during kindergarten, although some curriculum publishers include social studies lessons on community helpers or world cultures. Some choose to immerse their kindergarteners in a foreign language, believing that the younger the student, the easier it will be to learn the tongue.
Educational approaches vary among Christian homeschoolers, and choosing which philosophy ties most closely to the family's learning goals is the first step. The workbook approach, traditionally used in many private schools, involves filling out workbooks for most subjects. The classical education method focuses on memorization of facts, while the literature approach revolves around using classic stories in lesson plans. Unit studies focusing on one topic are also popular. Many blend a combination of approaches in their homeschool.
Publishers of Christian curriculum for homeschoolers who desire to use a workbook approach include Abeka, Christian Light Education, Alpha Omega and Rod and Staff. Classical curriculum is available through Peace Hill Press, Veritas Press and My Father's World. Winter Promise and Five in a Row offer unit studies for kindergarten homeschoolers. Sonlight is a popular provider of Christian lesson plans designed with the literature approach. Bob Jones University Press offers a variety of Christian curricula including textbooks, workbooks and video lessons by DVD or online access.
The cost of purchasing Christian kindergarten curriculum can run from under $10 for a workbook to hundreds of dollars for an all-in-one program, including books and DVD instruction. Some families decide to design their own kindergarten plan to save money by purchasing only the necessary consumable workbooks and borrowing books from the library. Other frugal homeschoolers choose to purchase used curriculum and access the plethora of free resources available online, such as the popular phonics game website Starfall.
Although many curriculum publishers bill themselves as Christian, content and methods vary widely. Some educational resource providers may add a Bible verse or two to their workbooks and consider it adequate instruction. Other publishers center their entire program around the Bible, including detailed lesson plans for Scripture reading, memorization, and arts and crafts. Consider theological differences when choosing books and resources.