Which Homeschool Curriculum Is Right for Your Child?

Choosing homeschool curriculum can feel overwhelming. There are so many options, teaching styles, books, programs, and approaches that it can be difficult to know where to begin.

The right curriculum doesn’t have to be the most expensive, the most popular, or the one everyone else is using. What works beautifully for one child may not be the best fit for another.

That’s why I created this FREE homeschool curriculum quiz for moms.

Answer seven quick questions about how your child likes to learn, and you’ll discover the learning preference that appears strongest in your answers. You’ll also get practical ideas for what to look for when you’re choosing homeschool curriculum.

If you’re completely new to choosing homeschool curriculum, you might also want to start with my Homeschool Resources page.

Ready to find a better curriculum fit for your child? Take the FREE Homeschool Curriculum Quiz below.

How Does This Homeschool Curriculum Quiz Work?

This quiz is designed to help you think about your child’s learning preferences when you’re choosing homeschool curriculum.

You’ll answer questions about things like how your child responds to lessons, how they prefer to receive information, and what kinds of activities tend to engage them.

At the end, you’ll receive one of four learning preference results:

• Visual
• Auditory
• Kinesthetic
• Reading & Writing

Your result isn’t meant to put your child into a permanent box. Children can learn in many different ways, and their preferences can vary depending on the subject, age, activity, and situation.

Instead, think of your homeschool curriculum quiz result as a helpful starting point for curriculum shopping.

What Should I Look for When Choosing Homeschool Curriculum?

Once you have a better idea of how your child tends to engage with lessons, you can start looking for curriculum features that may fit your family’s needs.

Visual Learners

A child who enjoys visual information may respond well to curriculum that includes:

• Pictures and illustrations
• Maps and timelines
• Diagrams and charts
• Demonstrations
• Visual examples
• Organized, easy-to-follow lesson pages

Visual doesn’t necessarily mean that a curriculum needs to be colorful or packed with graphics. Look for visuals that actually help your child understand and remember the material.

Auditory Learners

A child who enjoys listening and talking through ideas may appreciate:

• Read-alouds
• Audiobooks
• Storytelling
• Discussion
• Songs and rhymes
• Opportunities to explain concepts out loud

If your child loves to talk about what they’re learning, curriculum with a strong read-aloud or discussion component may be worth considering.

Kinesthetic Learners

Children who enjoy learning by doing may appreciate:

• Hands-on activities
• Field Trips
• Experiments
• Projects
• Manipulatives
• Crafts
• Movement
• Real-world applications

You don’t necessarily need an entirely hands-on curriculum. Sometimes a traditional curriculum becomes a much better fit simply by adding projects, movement, experiments, and real-life practice.

Reading & Writing Learners

Children who enjoy working with written information may appreciate:

• Living books
• Written explanations
• Reading assignments
• Writing activities
• Narration
• Journaling
• Written instructions

These children may enjoy having time to read independently and interact with information through writing.

Does My Child Have to Have Just One Learning Style?

Not at all.

Most children don’t fit perfectly into one category, and the way a child learns can change depending on the subject and situation.

Your homeschool curriculum quiz result is simply a way to identify a stronger learning preference and give you another factor to consider when you’re comparing curriculum.

You should also consider your child’s age, interests, academic needs, independence, attention span, and your own teaching style.

How Do I Choose Homeschool Curriculum That Actually Fits My Family?

Before buying a curriculum, consider these questions:

1. How does my child naturally engage with lessons?

Think about what makes your child light up. Do they love books? Experiments? Stories? Pictures? Building things? Talking through ideas?

2. What teaching style works for me?

A curriculum can be a great fit for your child and still be a terrible fit for the parent who has to teach it every day.

Consider whether you want something open-and-go, hands-on, literature-based, workbook-based, teacher-intensive, independent, or flexible.

3. How much repetition does my child need?

Some children thrive with lots of review, while others become frustrated when they’re asked to practice the same thing repeatedly.

4. Does the curriculum fit our homeschool rhythm?

Think about lesson length, number of subjects, daily workload, preparation time, and how easily the curriculum fits into your family’s actual schedule.

5. Can I adapt it?

One of the biggest advantages of homeschooling is flexibility. You don’t have to use every curriculum exactly as written.

You can add audiobooks, hands-on activities, books, videos, experiments, field trips, or writing depending on what helps your child engage.

A Note About Learning Preferences

This quiz isn’t designed to put your child into a permanent learning-style box. Children are flexible learners and can learn through many different approaches. Research has not shown that teaching exclusively to a child’s identified learning style improves learning. Instead, use your result as one helpful factor when considering curriculum, alongside your child’s interests, strengths, needs, age, and your family’s homeschool style. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Choosing Homeschool Curriculum

What is the best homeschool curriculum for my child?

There isn’t one homeschool curriculum that is best for every child. A good choice depends on your child’s needs, interests, learning preferences, age, academic goals, and your family’s teaching style.

How do I know which homeschool curriculum to choose?

Start by considering how your child engages with lessons, what teaching approach works for you, how much preparation you want to do, and whether the curriculum fits your family’s schedule.

Should I choose homeschool curriculum based on learning style?

Learning preferences can be one factor to consider, but they shouldn’t be the only factor. Children can learn in many different ways, so consider learning preferences alongside your child’s interests, needs, strengths, and your family’s homeschool style.

What are the different learning styles?

This quiz uses four broad learning-preference categories: visual, auditory, kinesthetic, and reading & writing.

Can my child have more than one learning style?

Yes. Children can show preferences across multiple categories, and those preferences can change depending on the subject or activity.

Is this homeschool curriculum quiz free?

Yes. The quiz is free to take.