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A Beginner’s Guide to Unit Studies for Homeschoolers

By Nancy ~
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When I first began homeschooling, the term “unit study” kept popping up, and I had no clue what it meant. I kept wondering, Is it a curriculum? A workbook? Something expensive? It wasn’t until I dug in, asked other homeschooling moms, and eventually tried one for myself that I truly understood the beauty of unit studies. If you’re new to homeschooling or looking for a fresh way to engage your kids, this beginner’s guide to unit studies will walk you through what they are, why they work, how to start one, and where to find ideas and resources. I’m sharing everything I wish I knew when I first started—because once you try a unit study, there’s a good chance you’ll fall in love with this method too. 🌿 What Is a Unit Study? A unit study is a homeschool approach where you center all (or most) subjects around a single theme or topic. Instead of learning math, science, reading, and history separately with unrelated materials, a unit study ties them all together through one central ide...
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Books and Educational Games My 6-Year-Old Loves for Learning at Home

By Nancy ~

As a homeschooling mom, I’m always on the lookout for resources that are not only educational but also fun for my 6-year-old daughter. At this age, learning should feel like play—and that’s exactly what I aim for in our home learning environment. Over time, I’ve found some wonderful books and games that have really helped her build foundational skills in reading, math, science, and more—without ever making it feel like a chore.

Whether you’re a fellow homeschool parent or just looking for some afterschool enrichment, here are the books and educational games my 6-year-old absolutely loves—and that I highly recommend for making learning at home joyful and effective.

Books We Keep Coming Back To

1. Bob Books: Beginning Readers Set

These were our go-to when she first started sounding out words. The stories are short, repetitive, and confidence-building—perfect for emerging readers. She felt so proud every time she finished a book on her own!

Why we love it:

  • Simple vocabulary and phonics-based progression

  • Bite-sized stories to avoid overwhelm

  • Builds reading confidence fast

2. The Usborne First Reading Series

Usborne books are a big hit in our home, and the First Reading series has been amazing for early readers. The stories are engaging and just the right length, with vibrant illustrations that help her stay focused.

Favorites: The Fox and the Crow, The Ant and the Grasshopper, and The Three Wishes.

3. National Geographic Kids: Little Kids First Big Book of Why

This is a must-have for curious little minds! My daughter asks “why?” all day long, and this book helps me answer those questions in a way that makes sense to her. It covers everything from animals to machines and the human body.

Bonus: The pictures are bright and captivating, and we often use this as a jumping-off point for science experiments or nature walks.

4. Scholastic Success With Kindergarten/1st Grade Workbooks

While I don’t rely too heavily on workbooks, having these on hand is great for quiet time. They cover basic math, phonics, handwriting, and more. My daughter actually asks to do pages—especially the phonics and spelling ones!

5. Interactive Storybooks on the Vooks App

Not a physical book, but I had to include this. Vooks brings books to life with gentle animations and narration. It’s screen time I feel good about, and it’s perfect for when I need to step away for a few minutes.

Educational Games That Make Learning Feel Like Play

Games have been one of the most effective tools in our homeschool. They keep my daughter engaged, teach important skills, and give us time to bond. Here are the ones we play over and over again:

1. Osmo - Little Genius Starter Kit for iPad

This has been an amazing investment. Osmo blends screen time with hands-on activities. My daughter loves the letter and number games, and I love that she’s learning phonics, early math, and problem-solving skills while having fun.

Tip: You do need an iPad for this, but it’s well worth it if you have one.

2. Zingo! Sight Words

Think Bingo, but educational! This game is fast-paced, super fun, and perfect for practicing high-frequency sight words. It’s helped improve her reading speed and word recognition without her even realizing she’s learning.

3. Sum Swamp

Math facts can get a little dry, but not with this game. In Sum Swamp, kids practice addition and subtraction as they journey through a swamp-themed board game. It’s perfect for 5–7-year-olds and makes math so much more fun.

4. Brain Quest Workbooks and Card Decks

These are great for on-the-go learning—car rides, waiting rooms, or just a change of pace at home. The questions cover a wide range of topics, from science and math to language arts and logic.

Why we love them:

  • They’re colorful and age-appropriate

  • They challenge her in a fun, quiz-style format

  • She can use them independently or with me

5. Melissa & Doug See & Spell Wooden Puzzle

This puzzle set is perfect for spelling practice. It helps with letter recognition, word building, and fine motor skills—all while feeling like playtime. My daughter loves matching the letters to the wooden cut-outs and “reading” the words she’s spelled.

Bonus: Apps and Digital Games We Rotate In

While I try to limit screen time, we do incorporate educational apps occasionally, especially on rainy days or during travel.

- Khan Academy Kids

Totally free and full of quality content. It adapts to your child’s learning level and offers games, books, videos, and activities on everything from counting to emotional awareness.

- Teach Your Monster to Read

This phonics-based reading app has made a huge difference in my daughter’s reading journey. She loves customizing her monster and completing the quests.

- ABCmouse

This is one app she returns to again and again—and I can see why! It offers a full curriculum in reading, math, science, and art through fun lessons, games, and songs. I love that it tracks her progress and adapts to her level. She loves unlocking new activities, dressing up her avatar, and earning tickets for virtual prizes.
Bonus: I often use it during quiet time or as a reward after focused learning—it keeps her engaged and learning while I prep meals or help my older child.

Final Thoughts

Learning at home with a 6-year-old is full of surprises. Some days we’re reading under a blanket fort; other days we’re counting rocks on a nature walk. What’s worked best for us is variety, playfulness, and following her interests.

These books and games have been key in helping her grow academically while still preserving that sense of wonder and fun that childhood should be full of. I hope this list helps inspire your own homeschool days or adds a few new favorites to your bookshelf or game shelf.

If you try any of these, I’d love to hear how your child likes them!

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Thank you for reading my blog! Stay tuned for more tips, resources, and printable materials to help make your homeschooling experience enjoyable and effective. Check out my store for a variety of educational products and printables to assist you on your homeschooling journey.

~With love,
Nancy at Cleverly Kindred ❤️

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