When I first started homeschooling, one of my biggest questions was:
“What should I even teach my child this year?”
I knew I wanted to give them a great education, but I felt overwhelmed. There were so many curriculum options, blog posts, YouTube videos, and opinions—it was enough to make me want to curl up and do nothing.
So if you're standing at the start of your homeschool journey wondering the same thing, you’re not alone. And the good news? You don’t have to have it all figured out right now. In fact, your first year is the perfect time to build a foundation that works for you and your family.
Let’s talk about what to focus on in your first year of homeschooling—so you can feel confident, capable, and even excited about what’s ahead.
Start With the Basics: The Core Subjects
In your first year, keep it simple. You don’t need to recreate public school at home. Focus on the core subjects:
1. Reading and Language Arts
This includes phonics (for younger kids), reading comprehension, spelling, grammar, and writing.
If your child is just learning to read, start with phonics-based programs and lots of read-aloud time. If they’re already reading, focus on building vocabulary and comprehension skills.
Writing can be simple—journal entries, book summaries, letters to family, or short creative stories. Keep it low-pressure and enjoyable.
2. Math
Math is essential and builds on itself. Choose a curriculum that matches your child’s learning style.
Don’t be afraid to go back a level to strengthen the basics. And remember, learning math in a relaxed, hands-on environment often leads to better understanding than racing ahead.
3. Science
You don’t need to dive into complex theories or memorize the periodic table. Explore nature, do simple experiments, talk about the seasons, the weather, animals, plants, and how things work.
For older kids, you might add more structure with a unit study or beginner curriculum focused on life science, earth science, or physical science.
4. Social Studies (History & Geography)
Introduce your child to stories from the past, cultures around the world, and basic geography. You can use picture books, documentaries, maps, and fun projects.
In our first year, we loved using simple timelines, coloring historical figures, and learning about different countries through food and crafts.
Don’t Forget Life Skills
One of the beautiful parts of homeschooling is that you get to raise well-rounded, confident humans—not just students who can pass a test. Teach:
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Chores & Responsibility: Make daily routines part of school.
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Basic Cooking & Safety: Let them help in the kitchen.
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Money & Time Management: Play store or set goals together.
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Emotional Regulation & Social Skills: Discuss feelings and encourage healthy expression.
These are just as valuable (if not more!) than textbook knowledge.
Follow Their Interests
One of the biggest wins you can give yourself your first year? Lean into your child’s interests.
If your child is obsessed with dinosaurs, space, baking, or bugs—go with it! Build a whole mini unit around that topic. When kids are curious, they learn naturally and enthusiastically.
Interest-led learning is often where the magic happens.
Keep It Flexible
You’ll probably change plans. That’s normal.
Your child might breeze through math but struggle with reading. You might switch curriculums mid-year. Or discover that what worked for someone else’s child just doesn’t work for yours. That’s okay.
Your homeschool is allowed to look different than anyone else’s.
Try Loop or Block Scheduling
In our first year, I discovered that I didn’t have to teach every subject every single day. Mind blown, right?
Loop scheduling means rotating subjects (e.g., Science on Monday/Wednesday, History on Tuesday/Thursday).
Block scheduling means spending a whole week diving into one subject and then moving to another.
Both can help prevent burnout and give you deeper learning time.
Don’t Overwhelm Yourself with Extras
It’s tempting to try to do ALL the things: art, music, coding, foreign languages, field trips, poetry tea time...
But in your first year, it’s okay to keep it simple. Choose one or two “extras” you and your kids would truly enjoy, and build from there.
We started with just one fun subject each Friday—like nature walks or art afternoons—and it kept things exciting without overwhelming us.
Remember: Connection Over Perfection
At the end of the day, what your child will remember most is how they felt while learning with you.
Were you patient? Did you laugh together? Did you listen to their questions, or take a break when things got hard?
Learning is more effective when it’s rooted in connection. So don’t worry about having the perfect schedule or checking off every lesson. Focus on building that bond, and the learning will follow.
Feeling Lost? Start with a Plan
If you’re still feeling unsure of how to pull it all together, that’s exactly why I created the Ultimate Homeschool Starter Kit.
It includes:
✔️ Weekly and monthly planning pages
✔️ Charlotte's Web Unit Study
✔️ Co-op and outside learning logs
✔️ Vision boards (for you and your child)
✔️ Budget & tax trackers
✔️ Seasonal learning fun
✔️ And much more
Seriously, it’s everything I wish I had in my first year—and it’s helped hundreds of other parents feel grounded and confident too.
👉 Grab it here
Final Thoughts
The first year of homeschooling is not about doing it all. It’s about finding your rhythm, understanding your child’s needs, and giving yourself permission to learn alongside them.
You don’t have to be perfect. You just have to show up.
So what should you teach in your first year of homeschooling?
Start with the basics, add a little life, sprinkle in their interests, and trust the process.
You’ve got this—and I’m cheering you on every step of the way.
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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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