Why “What’s the Best Homeschool Curriculum?” is the Wrong Question

New homeschooling parents frequently ask “What’s the Best Homeschool Curriculum?” but there is a better question that parents should ask instead.

Other typical questions are “Is this curriculum accredited? Is this curriculum recognised in South African and at overseas universities?”

We understand that these questions are rooted in the parent’s desire to ensure that their children get a good quality education that will equip them for further study and success in adult life. There is nothing wrong with that, but parents need to learn more about home education than merely picking “the best” curriculum.

Firstly, NO home education curricula are accredited, approved or recognised in South Africa. There are not even any established criteria by which home education curricula can be evaluated and assessed by the Department of Basic Education or any other body that would attempt to do so. 

This means that officially, there is no best curriculum.

Home educators in South Africa are legally permitted to use ANY home education curricula or learning resources of their choosing.

To meet the requirements for university, all that matters is that your child achieves a recognised school-leaving certificate and meets the university’s specific admission requirements at Grade 12 level. Families typically research and choose the route to that goal, for each child, at about Grade 10. 

Whatever curriculum you choose when you start home educating is not a long-term, twelve-year decision.

How Do I Choose the Best Curriculum?

So, you are now faced with the question that every parent faces – how do I choose the best curriculum for my child now [in Grade R or whichever grade you start] and each year thereafter, to ensure that s/he will be able to study further at university later, if necessary.

As we stated in our article Choosing the BEST Curriculum, “It’s not the curriculum that matters most, it’s the whole process of learning together about how to learn outside of the school system that will make your home education journey a success!

A more important question than “What’s the best curriculum?” is: How do children learn best?

We have spent almost 30 years researching, exploring and testing this in our own homes as well as learning from the experiences of other home educating families in our vast national networks.

Wendy and Shirley, the co-authors of the Footprints series, have raised 10 children and homeschooled them all, all-the-way till matric level. Some of our children have chosen to study at university, two of them studied at overseas universities, others have done other post-school courses and all now have skills to earn a living, (except the youngest who is still homeschooling). Our children and thousands of others followed an eclectic, Charlotte-Mason style, literature-based approach until high school level.

At that stage, each child decided which type of school exit certificate they wished to pursue to get a recognised Grade 12 credential. With the strong foundation built in their primary and early high school years, each of them was equipped to pursue whichever option they preferred. Some chose Cambridge, some chose the American GED and there are other options too. Homeschooling High School

How Do Children Learn Best?

This is the most important question you should ask and answer.

All the latest research confirms that our brains are wired for learning best by listening to stories, learning by doing and learning from real-life experience. 

For centuries, before the advent of mass schooling, this is how children were equipped to survive in the economies of their day. Research shows over and over that we learn less effectively from text books, online classes and the confines of a school classroom or a replica at home.

Therefore, at Footprints, we have built in all of the best-for-learning criteria into our tried-tested-and-much-loved home education curriculum programmes.

Here’s what one of our customers shared about using our curriculum with her daughter:

…and another ex-teacher used all our programmes with her three children. She also created a language arts programme to go with one of our curricula and she’s become a proof-reader and editor for our newer products too: 

We are confident that the Footprints curricula we offer meet and exceed the standards of any South African school (or online school).

Our range of South African homeschool curriculum programmes are designed for family life at home. We cater for families with one or more children in different age groups, so that the majority of their lessons can be achieved together, keeping things simple, convenient and stress-free.

Our programmes appeal to families who want to give their children:

• A rich, academically robust education that is not heavy-going
• The ability to read widely and think critically about multiple perspectives
• Education that is culturally enriching and relevant to their everyday lives
• Wide exposure to the works of great leaders, famous authors, scientists, musicians and artists, both local and international
• Superior language and communication skills
• Training in character and integrity, supported by your family values
• A learning experience that builds resilience, creativity and initiative to thrive despite any technological revolution or potential AI-job takeover
• A foundation that sets children up for future academic success, in any pathway they choose
  

Footprints Builds “The Best” in Families

At Footprints, we don’t just provide educational resources for children: Our programmes are also created to build your confidence as a home educating parent and equip you to give your child a world-class education. We understand how daunting it can seem at times, especially if you try to foresee the future for your children. We have walked that unknown road ourselves. 

We empower parents to raise confident, well-educated children who know how to succeed in whatever future direction they follow. We look forward to championing you on this incredible family learning adventure!

Explore our Footprints pathways and contact us if you need advice selecting the most appropriate curriculum for your family scenario

Your Learning Pathway with Footprints

More Essential Info for Homeschool Parents

Why Story-Driven Learning is Vital in the Age of AI
The Hidden Risks of Online Schooling for Young Children
The Four Homeschool Advantages that Schools Can’t Replicate
Five Things to Remember to Homeschool with Confidence