The holiday season often brings a natural pause to the hectic pace of the school year for homeschooled families. Between the winter break, family gatherings, and the general slow-down in activities, many homeschooling parents find that this time of year is ideal for reflecting on what’s working—and what’s not—in their homeschool routine. Finding the right curriculum fit for your child can be difficult. At SPORK, we know that you want your child to love learning and stay engaged with the material. If you’ve been considering a switch in your homeschool curriculum, here are several reasons why the holidays might just be the perfect time to make the change.
Time for Reflection and Reassessment
The holiday break gives you the space to step back from the day-to-day hustle of homeschooling and reflect on how the current curriculum is working for both you and your child or children.
It can be essential to take some time to reflect on your experience throughout the first half of the year. Are the lessons engaging? Are your child’s needs being met? Are you feeling supported by the curriculum materials, or are you constantly searching for additional resources?
A great curriculum should be great for both the student and the homeschool parent facilitating the child’s learning. The slower pace of the holidays makes it a perfect time to reassess your child’s learning journey and decide if a switch is needed.
A Fresh Start for the New Year
The transition into the new year is a natural time for new beginnings, and switching your homeschool curriculum at this point can set the stage for a refreshed, more organized, and effective approach to the second half of the year. If your child has struggled with a particular subject or learning style, the holiday break is an ideal time to regroup, reset expectations, and introduce new strategies that align better with your child’s needs.
Your child may be excited to try a new angle on a topic they may struggle with. The new beginning can help them start the new year with a positive attitude and an open mind. You can kick off the new year with renewed energy, new materials, and a plan that is more aligned with your child’s current academic and developmental needs.
Less Pressure During the Holidays to Switch Homeschool Curriculum
The holidays often come with a break from testing and fewer scheduled events, which means there’s less academic pressure. This low-pressure environment can be an ideal time to experiment with new materials or methods without the feeling of falling behind. You can introduce a new curriculum gently, focusing on hands-on learning and exploration, which can be a fun and stress-free way to ease into something new.
Whether you're celebrating the holidays with family or just taking some time off from your regular routine, the seasonal downtime provides a unique opportunity to explore new curriculum options, test out materials, and plan for the upcoming months. You can browse curriculum catalogs, participate in online forums, and attend virtual or in-person homeschool conferences—all without the pressure of needing to teach. This extra time allows you to carefully consider which curriculum will best meet your child’s learning style, interests, and academic goals.
Take Advantage of Holiday Sales
The holiday season often brings sales and promotions, including discounts on curriculum materials, online courses, and educational resources. Many homeschooling companies offer special holiday deals, making it an ideal time to purchase a new curriculum at a discounted price.
At SPORK, we want to make switching curriculum a seamless and stress-free experience. Use the code SPORK-Holiday24 to receive a 20% discount on all curriculum purchases through January 31.
This can help alleviate some of the financial pressure of switching to a new curriculum, allowing you to invest in higher-quality materials without stretching your budget.
The holiday season provides a unique window of opportunity for homeschooling parents to confidently make the switch without disrupting the flow of their year. Whether you’re looking to reignite your child’s enthusiasm, adjust to new academic needs, or simply streamline your teaching methods, the holiday break offers the perfect chance to make the change. By taking advantage of the downtime, reflection period, and fresh start that the new year offers, you can transition into a new curriculum with confidence and excitement for what’s to come.