Playing Preschool Homeschool Curriculum

Name: Playing Preschool Homeschool Curriculum
Brand: Playing Preschoolhttps://playingpreschool.com/

by Playing Preschoolhttps://playingpreschool.com/

Multi_subjectGrade Pre-K

Playing Preschool: Play-Based Multi-Subject Pre-K Program

Playing Preschool is a two-year preschool program that introduces reading, math, science, and art through thematic units and hands-on activities. The curriculum emphasizes play-based learning with non-scripted lessons designed to develop curiosity, thinking skills, and foundational academic readiness.

Best for

Homeschool families seeking a play-based, thematic approach to preschool learning who are comfortable with unscripted, flexible lesson implementation

Evaluation Criteria

1 strength · 2 concerns · 3 neutral

Cross Curricular IntegrationStrength

The curriculum demonstrates strong thematic integration, with each two-week unit connecting letters, themes, and activities across subjects.

Units like 'apples' teach letter A while incorporating sorting activities, science exploration, and art projects, with read-aloud books reinforcing the theme

Direct InstructionConcern

The curriculum provides minimal direct instruction, offering non-scripted lessons with leading questions rather than explicit teaching sequences.

Lessons are described as 'not scripted although leading questions are provided' with parents encouraged to adapt activities as needed

Retrieval PracticeConcern

Limited evidence of systematic retrieval practice, though some review occurs through daily calendar routines and alphabet portfolio creation.

Daily calendar routine reinforces days, months, and weather concepts, and second year reviews letters and sounds, but no structured cumulative review is described

Teacher TrainingNeutral

The curriculum provides detailed lesson plans and activity instructions but limited pedagogical guidance for parents unfamiliar with early childhood education.

Each coursebook includes 300+ pages with lesson explanations, supply lists, and specific instructions, but review indicates minimal background knowledge or teaching methodology support

Knowledge CoherenceNeutral

The program builds coherent knowledge through systematic progression from first to second year, though individual units appear somewhat disconnected from each other.

Second year advances from basic letter introduction to deeper reading comprehension and math concepts, but themes like 'water' teaching letter 'I' suggest limited coherence between units

Individual Subject RigorNeutral

The curriculum maintains age-appropriate expectations for preschool but lacks the systematic depth expected in individual subject areas.

Covers letter sounds, counting, shapes, and basic concepts but explicitly does not teach reading and writing, focusing instead on readiness skills

Sources: cathyduffyreviews.com