5 Steps To Create A Simple Kindergarten Homeschool Schedule

Creating a kindergarten homeschool schedule can be intimidating at first, but in this post I break it down into five easy steps. Let’s jump in!

I have two goals for our homeschool schedule – for it to be simple and flexible. Complicating our schedule will overwhelm our family. If it’s too rigid, it’ll be stressful.

I’m going to walk you through five steps to create a simple kindergarten homeschool schedule. I say kindergarten, but we are a little all over the place (I’m sure you understand!). My kids range in age from 2-6. We are diving into a first grade curriculum for my oldest, but the principles here will be the same!

What is your focus?

Right now, our focus is highly on character development, hands on learning, and outdoor play. I decided to start offering curriculum to my older girls (ages 4 and 6), but we don’t push it at this age. My goal is for them to love learning. I try my best to cultivate an environment where learning is fun and exciting. If the curriculum feels like too much that day, we don’t force it.

It’s important to think about your why before creating your schedule. Why did you choose to homeschool? I often ask myself this question when the days are long and sometimes difficult. Those days when I feel like it’s all too much – I always come back to my why. It keeps me grounded and helps me push through, even on the hardest days.

So let’s get into it! Let’s get your kindergarten homeschool schedule started!

5 steps to create a simple kindergarten homeschool schedule

1. Think about how you are wired and how you best function first (rhythm or routine)

This is a big one. It’s important to note that we are all wired differently. What works for me may not work for you, and vice versa. So instead of telling you exactly what to do, think about how you best function.

Most people either thrive off of a rigid schedule or need things to be more flexible. This is where you can decide if you are a “rhythm” or “routine” mama. When I think of routine, I think of a time schedule. Some people need this to stay on task, for others it can be a stressor.

I work better on a rhythm schedule. No times attached. I just know the order of things that are going to happen, but I don’t watch the clock to make sure they are done in a certain time frame.

Here is our current daily schedule…

Having a rhythm can feel too loose to some people. but it actually ends up looking a bit like a routine after a while because things generally happen around the same time of day.

What I like about functioning in a rhythm is that if something unexpected happens, we can adjust and go on with our day.

Take a moment to pull out your notes app or a piece of paper, and write down if you want to have a timed schedule or more of a rhythm schedule.

2. Look at what is already working and not working

This is definitely something only YOU can answer! Think about those mornings when things go really well. What happened on those days? What was the sequence of events?

And on the flip side, what is not working? What makes mornings most stressful for you? Can you flip things around from morning to evening or vice versa?

For example, we used to do breakfast, then their responsibilities, then school in the morning. I felt myself stressed every time we started school but couldn’t figure out why.

I realized that sometimes the kids could take quite a while when doing their morning jobs. There’s no need for me to rush them as long as they get done. But I would be waiting on them to start school and found myself frustrated.

So we switched it up, we now do breakfast, then school, then morning jobs. And guess what? Mornings go a lot smoother. It’s important to take note of what is already working and what is not!

I recently wrote a post about three things I stopped doing that are making my life so much easier. Check it out if you are needing to free some time up in your day! It really changed the game for me. We also drastically changed up our laundry system and I’m never going back. More about that here!

3. Decide what is most important for your kindergarten homeschool schedule

Priority time! What is most important to you? What are the things that have to get done? Take a minute to write down what tasks must happen every day. Then make a list of what you’d like to happen. There will most likely be room for some of what you’d like to happen, but make sure to prioritize it!

You can also include your children in this part and ask them which of the “maybes” they would like to see happen. Including them will make implementing a new rhythm or routine much easier!

Some options include:

• Breakfast
• Bible time
• School
• Morning jobs
• Feed animals
• Exercise
• Playtime
• Lunch
• Quiet time
• Independent reading time
• Nap time
• Craft time
• Tea time
• Read alouds
• Snack time
• Outdoor play
• Afternoon school
• Screen time
• Dinner
• Family time
• Evening jobs
• Night time routine
• Story time
• Bedtime

After you list out and prioritize your tasks, write down about how much time each of those tasks would take. And now you are ready for step four!

4. Now, let’s create your kindergarten homeschool schedule!

Put all of your “must have” tasks in the order that you would like them to happen. Also write down the amount of time you expect each task to take. Leave a little space between each one. Here’s an example:

Now look at how much extra time you have in the day. If you look above you can see I am left with 4.5 hours. Now fill the rest of your schedule in with the things you’d like to get done, starting with the first priority. Once you run out of time in your schedule, you are done! Now my schedule looks like this:

Now, let’s go back to deciding if you want to put time slots next to everything you have listed. If you decided you are a routine person, go ahead and add those time slots! If you are leaning more towards a rhythm, keep it as is.

Whether you chose routine or rhythm, the key to making this work is flexibility. There are days when some of these things do not get done, for a variety of reasons. We just try again the next day.

I also leave room for playdates and outings at this age, because Lord knows we need that! I don’t try to squeeze school in on those days, I usually just pick back up with the rhythm around quiet time and go from there!

If you are doing a timed schedule, try to hold it with an open hand. Sometimes things will be cut short or may last longer, but that is the beauty of homeschooling! Remember that teaching our children how to adjust is an important skill they will need to learn. If you can look at this as a guide, rather than a strict schedule, I think you will enjoy homeschool life a little more!

5. Make it fun and create a visual

This is the fun part! Turns out kids love having a visual when implementing something new. Get creative with this! I made a little book with pictures and words and they loved it!

It was super easy to put together so I created a printable for you! More on that below.

I thought about binding this together, but I used a ring so it can be easily changed out! You could even make one for each of your children if they have different tasks throughout the day.

A visual is super helpful because kids generally thrive when they know what’s coming next. Instead of asking me what’s next, I can refer them to their book.

Here’s a quick video showing you how to put the book together!

All you need to make the book is a printer, binder ring and a laminator! We use this laminator from Amazon. We’ve had it for a couple years and it works great! It has been one of my most used homeschool tools for sure.

I hope this post helps you figure out your kindergarten homeschool schedule. If you feel overwhelmed, just remember your priorities and make those happen! You got this, mama.

If you need further encouragement, I highly recommend these books…