When I first became a mom, I imagined our days filled with cozy read-alouds, nature walks, homemade snacks, and lots of time outdoors. I didn’t dream of rushing from activity to activity or feeling overwhelmed trying to keep up with everyone else’s expectations.
As I grew in my faith and began embracing a more holistic lifestyle, I realized that the way we educate our children is just as important as the food we nourish them with and the rhythms we create in our home.
I wanted our homeschool to reflect our values—not the world’s pace.
So instead of purchasing an expensive boxed curriculum, I decided to create my own.
It has been one of the most freeing decisions I’ve made.
Here at Real Holistic Mama, I believe motherhood doesn’t have to feel complicated. Whether we’re talking about nourishing meals, natural wellness, or homeschooling our little ones, I want to encourage moms to take simple, realistic steps toward a more intentional life rooted in faith.
If you’re considering homeschooling preschool, I hope this encourages you to trust yourself—and more importantly, trust the One who entrusted these precious children to you.
Why We Chose to Homeschool Preschool
The preschool years aren’t meant to be rushed.
Our little ones are naturally wired to explore, imagine, create, and ask questions about everything around them.
God designed children to learn through wonder.
They notice birds singing before we do.
They stop to admire tiny flowers growing through cracks in the sidewalk.
They ask questions that remind us to slow down and appreciate His creation.
I didn’t want to replace that curiosity with hours of worksheets or pressure to reach academic milestones before they were ready.
Instead, I wanted learning to feel joyful.
Peaceful.
Life-giving.
Why I Created My Own Curriculum
There are countless homeschool curriculums available, and many of them are wonderful.
But I found myself wanting pieces from several different philosophies.
I loved Charlotte Mason’s emphasis on living books, beautiful habits, and nature study.
I appreciated Montessori’s focus on independence, practical life skills, and hands-on learning.
Instead of trying to make one curriculum fit our family perfectly, I built one around our own values.
Creating your own curriculum doesn’t mean doing more.
In many ways, it means doing less.
Less pressure.
Less comparison.
Less busy work.
More connection.
More flexibility.
More room for the Holy Spirit to lead your days.
Our Christian Foundation
Before reading letters or counting numbers, I want my children to know who created them.
Our mornings often begin with prayer, a simple Bible story, or singing a favorite worship song together.
Faith isn’t another subject we squeeze into our homeschool day.
It’s the foundation underneath everything we do.
When we study butterflies, we marvel at God’s creativity.
When we plant seeds, we talk about growth and patience.
When we practice kindness, we remember how Jesus loved others.
Homeschooling gives us the beautiful opportunity to weave biblical truth naturally throughout our day.
Blending Charlotte Mason and Montessori
People often ask whether Charlotte Mason and Montessori can work together.
Absolutely.
Charlotte Mason reminds us that children are whole persons deserving of rich ideas, beautiful books, and meaningful experiences.
Montessori teaches us to respect the child’s independence and prepare an environment where learning happens naturally.
Together, they create a peaceful rhythm that feels both intentional and practical.
Our days include:
- Living books instead of dry textbooks
- Nature walks almost every week
- Practical life skills like baking, folding laundry, and gardening
- Open-ended toys that encourage creativity
- Handicrafts and simple art projects
- Plenty of free play
- Quiet moments for observation and wonder
Nothing feels rushed.
And that’s exactly how I want these early years to feel.
What We Actually Do Each Day
One of the biggest surprises about homeschooling preschool is how little formal instruction is actually needed.
Our mornings often look something like this:
We enjoy breakfast together.
Read a few beautiful picture books.
Go outside.
Collect leaves.
Watch birds.
Splash in puddles.
Bake muffins.
Practice pouring water.
Count blueberries.
Paint.
Play.
Talk.
Pray.
That may not look like “school” to some people.
But it absolutely is.
Children learn through everyday life.
The kitchen becomes a math lesson.
The garden becomes science.
A storybook builds language.
Helping set the table teaches responsibility.
These ordinary moments become extraordinary opportunities.
Building a Simple Preschool Curriculum
When creating your own curriculum, don’t start with lesson plans.
Start with your goals.
Ask yourself:
Who do I want my child to become?
For our family, I hope to raise children who love God, enjoy learning, think creatively, serve others, and appreciate the beauty of His creation.
Once those goals become clear, choosing activities becomes much easier.
Our curriculum includes:
Language Arts
- Daily read-alouds
- Nursery rhymes
- Poetry
- Storytelling
- Letter recognition through play
Math
- Counting during everyday activities
- Sorting objects
- Measuring while baking
- Pattern recognition
- Number games
Nature Study
- Weekly nature walks
- Nature journals
- Bird watching
- Gardening
- Seasonal observations
Practical Life
- Folding laundry
- Sweeping
- Washing vegetables
- Pouring drinks
- Preparing simple snacks
Fine Motor Skills
- Play dough
- Cutting practice
- Painting
- Stringing beads
- Coloring
Faith
- Bible stories
- Scripture memory
- Prayer
- Worship music
- Serving others in simple ways
Simple.
Beautiful.
Intentional.
You Don’t Need a Pinterest-Perfect Homeschool
Can I encourage you?
You don’t need expensive wooden toys.
You don’t need matching baskets.
You don’t need a dedicated homeschool room.
Some of our sweetest learning moments have happened barefoot in the backyard with nothing more than sticks, rocks, and wildflowers.
Children don’t remember perfect classrooms.
They remember how home felt.
They remember reading beside you on the couch.
They remember baking cookies.
Watching butterflies.
Picking strawberries.
Snuggling during story time.
Those are the memories that last.
Homeschooling Is Part of a Holistic Lifestyle
One thing I’ve learned is that homeschooling isn’t separate from holistic living.
It’s part of it.
Just like nourishing our families with wholesome foods, choosing slower rhythms, spending time outdoors, and caring for our bodies, homeschooling allows us to nurture the whole child—mind, body, and spirit.
It’s not about creating perfection.
It’s about creating peace.
And let’s be honest—that peace doesn’t come from having the perfect schedule.
It comes from simplifying.
Giving ourselves grace.
Choosing presence over productivity.
As moms, we often carry so much pressure to do it all.
But I truly believe God never asked us to do everything.
He simply asked us to faithfully steward the children He’s entrusted to us.
Final Encouragement
If you’re feeling called to homeschool your preschooler but wondering if you’re “qualified,” let me gently remind you of this:
Your child doesn’t need a perfect teacher.
They need a present mother.
They need someone who delights in their questions, celebrates their curiosity, and points them toward Christ.
You already know your child better than anyone else.
Lean into that gift.
Trust the process.
Trust your instincts.
Most importantly, trust the Lord.
The preschool years pass quickly, but the relationships you build during these slow, ordinary days will last a lifetime.
And if you’re anything like me—a Christian millennial mama trying to live a little slower, love your family well, and embrace holistic living one step at a time—I hope you’ll remember this:
The most meaningful education doesn’t happen because we bought the perfect curriculum.
It happens because we chose to be fully present.
One story.
One nature walk.
One prayer.
One beautiful day at a time.
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