As a homeschool parent, I look at a lot of curriculum, and the choices can be overwhelming. For me, the best curriculum is one that is simple to use, thorough, and fits with the goals for our family. My goal for a Bible curriculum is to bring God’s Word into our day as a natural part of our learning, not to add a burden to our school day. While we incorporate biblical principles into all subjects, I do think we need to stop for a moment and focus just on Scripture. And while there is a time and place for going deeper, our goal for a Bible curriculum is to teach our kids how to study the Word. Foundations for Kids has been the perfect choice for us.
Foundations for Kids is a daily bible reading plan that follows the H.E.A.R. method as described in Robby Gallaty’s book, Growing Up – Highlight, Explain, Apply, Respond. Each day in Foundations for Kids contains a short Scripture reading, an explanation of the passage, how it applies to our lives, and a response prayer. There’s also a short activity each day – a maze, puzzle, or something similar. The pages are colorful and fun. It also includes a suggested Scripture to memorize each week. And our kids love it.
My husband and I use the Foundations reading plan, and Foundations for Kids corresponds perfectly. The daily readings are taken from the same section of Scripture. While I might be reading a few chapters, the kids are reading a few verses, which makes it manageable for them. The Scripture memory verses correspond as well. The entire family is reading from the same passages and can memorize the same verses, which makes talking about the Bible in our home easier.
You don’t have to follow the Foundations reading plan along with your kids. In fact, you could pick up Foundations for Kids, grab a Bible, and use it as your Bible curriculum with absolutely no prep. However, I think you’d benefit from a deeper understanding of the context. Especially when the kids start asking questions. And we know how many questions kids ask!
Foundations for Kids helps us teach our kids how to spend time studying the Word. Our fourth grader can find the passage, read it aloud, and follow through with the reading and activities in the book. He’s learning that he doesn’t need his dad or me to study the Word. Our first grader isn’t quite as independent in her reading yet, so our fourth grader can read aloud and help guide her through the activities. Not only is our fourth grader learning to spend time reading the Word and apply it to his life, he’s already helping to disciple someone else – his younger sister. He’s learning to become an intentional disciplemaker at the tender age of nine, which is amazing to me.
After we started using Foundations for Kids last January, I recommended it to several homeschooling friends. Each of them have told me they love it for the same reasons I do. Give Foundations for Kids a try for your homeschool. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.
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