Don’t Stress Kindergarten
Live in the Moment - An Open Letter from an Experienced Homeschool Mom

Dear Homeschool Mom: Don’t Stress Kindergarten – Just Live the Moment
Take a deep breath.
If you’re homeschooling a kindergartener and feeling the pressure to “get it all right,” you’re not alone. There’s so much talk out there—about standards, schedules, and curriculum—that it’s easy to forget one simple truth:
Kindergarten doesn’t have to be hard.
In fact, it shouldn’t be.
Childhood Is Not a Race
Your five-year-old isn’t falling behind. They’re not late to the game. They’re right where they need to be: curious, energetic, imaginative, and eager to explore the world around them. Learning at this age happens all the time—whether you’re reading a story, baking muffins, digging in the garden, or building a blanket fort.
The truth is, kids this age learn so easily and so naturally. You don’t have to force it or turn every moment into a structured lesson. Most of the time, if they’re engaged, safe, and loved, they’re learning more than you realize.
The Magic of Everyday Moments
Homeschooling in kindergarten can look like:
- Sorting laundry by color (hello, early math!)
- Drawing pictures on the driveway with chalk (fine motor skills + creativity)
- Listening to bird songs in the backyard (science + mindfulness)
- Acting out Bible stories or fairy tales (language + memory + joy)
- Helping you stir pancake batter (measuring + cooperation)
See? You’re doing it already.
Don’t Worry About “Keeping Up”
The beauty of homeschooling is that you get to follow your child’s pace. There’s no clock to beat. No need to cram flashcards or sit at a desk for hours a day. In fact, research continues to show that play-based, child-led learning leads to better long-term outcomes—especially in the early years.
They have so many years of formal academics ahead. Kindergarten is about planting seeds, not expecting full-grown fruit.
Live in the Moment
Take time to enjoy your child just as they are right now. Their giggles. Their questions. Their endless imagination. Those are the things that matter more than checking boxes on a curriculum.
Learning will happen. Childhood only happens once.
So breathe. Smile. Read another story. Take a walk. Say yes to the messy art project. Say yes to grace—for them, and for you.
You’re doing a beautiful job.
And you’re not behind.
You’re right on time.
All my encouragement and love,
Jenn MacDonald
P.S. Here are some free homeschool kindergarten resources



