What if I told you the best homeschool curriculum was something you would never use with your children if given the choice? In this podcast, veteran homeschool mom Felice Gerwitz discusses what you must know before buying any books.

Today, we’ll tackle the million-dollar question and something so many homeschooling parents wrestle with: How do I find the best homeschool curriculum? If you’re like me, you’ve probably spent hours researching options, and perhaps you visited homeschool conferences. I was a featured speaker at homeschool conferences for over fourteen years. While I loved speaking, I also enjoyed browsing the vendor tables and talking to many curriculum creators. I learned so much.

The key is knowing what will work for your kids—and for you as their teacher. Today, we will focus on five key points to help you figure out how your kids learn and how you teach. I won’t name specific curriculums—because honestly, it’s less about the “what” and more about the “how”—but we will touch on some of the top teaching methods in homeschooling. So grab your coffee, or your homeschool planner, and let’s get started!

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Let’s start with point number one: know how your kids learn. God created each of our children uniquely, right? Psalm 139 says He knit them together in the womb, and that includes how their brains work. Some kids are visual learners—they need to “see” it to get it, like pictures, charts, or videos. Others are auditory—they thrive on hearing stories, discussions, or even music to lock in a concept. Then you’ve got the kinesthetic learners—the wiggle worms who need to touch, move, or build to understand. And then there are the combination learners, some who need to see and hear it!

So, since most kids aren’t just one style, this is where it will take your observation skills, mom or dad, to really think about what your kids gravitate to and how they learn. My oldest loved audiobooks, but he also needed to sit on the floor with his feet on the chair. I would insist that he sit up, only to find out that while on the floor, he was actually learning. My youngest liked to doodle to focus. Observing your kids is key—watch how they play and how they solve problems. Do you kids like to take notes if you are teaching? That is another clue. I take a small notebook to church and jot down interesting points in a sermon I want to remember later. When I saw my son doing the same thing, I realized we had similar learning styles. If we write it down, we remember it better. That’s a clue! As Christian parents, we’re stewards of their education, so tuning into their God-given wiring helps us teach them in a way that sticks.

That brings us to point two: Match their learning to their strengths. Once you’ve got a handle on their style, lean into it. If your son is excited when he’s building something, don’t force him to sit still for hours with a workbook—let him construct a mini catapult after you’ve taught about the concept. Mine did, and I still have the videos of the catapult they created outdoors. If your daughter’s an auditory learner, let her narrate a story like a radio drama.

This is where some of the top homeschool methods come in. Take the “Classical method”—it’s big on memorization and discussion, perfect for kids who love stories and words. The “Charlotte Mason approach” uses living books and nature study, which can be gold for visual and hands-on learners. The idea is to honor how God made them. Proverbs 22:6 says to train up a child in the way he should go—some scholars say that means according to his bent. So, let’s build on their strengths, not fight against them.”

Point three: Understand your teaching style.” This one’s important because you’re not just a parent. You’re the teacher, too! Are you the structured type who loves a schedule and clear goals? Or are you more go-with-the-flow, thriving on spontaneous rabbit trails? Neither is wrong, God ha’s given you your personality for a reason—but it’s got to work with your kids.

This is something I have struggled with since I’m more go-with-the-flow. Some of my kids thrived on this approach, and others didn’t. If they wanted to get out of work, they’d ask lots of questions and watch me go off on a rabbit trail. It didn’t take me long to say, “Great question! Do you want to research and present it to the family tomorrow?” It was one way to see if they were truly interested or testing Mom!

If you’re super organized, something like the Traditional method may work—think textbooks and lesson plans. If you’re more creative, the Unit Study method would be perfect. This is what I used for almost all of the children’s elementary years. (And check out my curriculum here.) We weaved subjects like history and science into one overall theme, like the life of Jesus. I’ve learned the hard way that if I’m stressed and forcing a style that doesn’t fit me, my kids feel it too. Colossians 3:23 says to do everything heartily as unto the Lord—so let’s teach in a way that brings us joy, not burnout.

Point four: Blend flexibility with faith. Faith was very important for our family and pivotal as a reason we remained homeschooling for all twelve years of the children’s school-aged life! Homeschooling isn’t one-size-fits-all, and truly, that’s a gift. Maybe your visual learner needs more art projects to grasp biblical geography, or your kinesthetic kid needs to act out the parting of the Red Sea. The beauty of homeschooling is that you can adapt. Methods like unschooling are great for some, such as following your child’s interests with a loose structure, are great for some. It’s not for everyone, but it’s a top approach for a reason.

As Christians, our faith anchors us here. Deuteronomy 6 tells us to teach God’s commands diligently to our kids—when we sit, walk, lie down, and rise up. That’s not rigid; it’s woven into life. So whether you’re using a structured method or something freer, keep pointing them to Christ. Flexibility doesn’t mean chaos—it means trusting God’s leading for your family.”

Finally, point five: Experiment and adjust. Figuring this out takes trial and error. Maybe you try a method where you’re reading aloud a ton—great for auditory kids—but your hands-on learner starts climbing the walls. Switch it up! Add a craft or a field trip. The eclectic method is popular for mixing and matching what works.

God’s grace covers this process. Philippians 1:6 promises He’ll complete the good work He started in us—and in our kids. So don’t be afraid to tweak things. Watch your kids, pray about it, and keep going. The best homeschool curriculum isn’t a magic formula—it’s the one that helps your family grow closer to each other and God.

We’ve covered five points today: knowing your kids’ learning styles, matching their strengths, understanding your teaching style, blending flexibility with faith, and being willing to experiment. Homeschooling’s a journey, and from a Christian lens, it’s about discipleship as much as education. Thanks for joining me—next time, we’ll tackle something new. Until then, keep seeking the Lord in your homeschool, and I’ll catch you later!

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