Horizons Preschool Curriculum Set

This is a good curriculum. I love how they integrate Bible through-out but I believe this is better suited for a daycare or classroom setting. 1 star for homeschool 4 stars for a daycare or classroom setting.This is teacher intensive and can be overwhelming for mom. The program starts off fine and is not as intense and the crafts are doable the first month but it defintely starts to increase in work for child and mom as the curriculum progresses. I loved this program initially and was so excited about it but it just became too much. Now, six months into it I actually dislike it! Not because it's not a good program but it's just not practical for a busy mom in a homeschool setting.Honestly, I think this program is too busy, vigorous and involved for pre-school. I almost think this would be better suited as a kindy program in many of the areas. However, I do believe in a more gentle start in the early years and personally think we push our little ones too early these days so that's where my thoughts are coming from.If your looking for something that's fun yet simple and easy to implement and will not take half a day - THIS PROGRAM IS NOT IT! You'll end up not using most of the curriculum.Many of the crafts require items that I don't generally have around the house so the time and money to run around to find and buy these things are difficult. I eventually stopped doing most of the crafts or I simplified or tweaked to make it work with what I had on hand.From early on, I only did about half of the curriculum and even with that after 2-3 months I started to feel some frustration. I do work out of my home and have an infant so perhaps that is part of it but that's sort of my point. I can't keep up with this curriculum even at half pace and probably because I'm just not willing to spend that much time, energy and money for preschool to be honest. She is only 4 after all. :-) There will be plenty of time for that in the older years. I prefer cuddles on the couch while reading a good book or having her bake something with me. (although, they do have baking projects included as well)However, the same reason I dislike it could be the very reason someone else likes it. If you only have one child and WANT to spend 3 - 5 hours a day on school then this will work great for you. They do cover every subject so there would be plenty to do.If you run a daycare or pre-school this would be a GREAT curriculum to buy. As a classroom you'd also have more resources and help so I can see this working wonderfully in a school setting. They have some great hands-on activities and ideas along with fun physical activities and ideas. (by the way, many of the physical activities lend more for multiple children and would not work for one or would be boring or odd to do with just one child)The workbooks are wonderful and very colorful. I really like their approach to math.The second workbook is way too much writing for a pre-school age in my opinion.The teachers manual is also very nice and easy to follow. They are very detailed in their instructions which is great. Although, it is very scripted you can make it your own but it's nice to have it there.I've been looking at kindergarten curriculum for next year and most kindergarten programs don't appear to be as involved and vigorous as this pre-school curric is!At this point, I only use about 25% of the curriculum (letters/sounds, numbers/math, bible/memory verse) and only very few of the crafts or I modify as I need to make it work so basically I'm not using most of the curriculum and could have bought something much less expensive for that. There are many options out there that are cheaper and easier to implement but are just as wonderful in my opinion.Every mom/family is different and this just did not work well for us.With that said, it was a good learning experience and I learned what type of homeschooling mom I'll be and what I need for my future curriculum. I'm not crafty and need a curriculum that will be easier to implement. No bells and whistles for this busy mama. I need something much more simple but still gets the job done. With my next daughter, I'm going to go with Christian light or Heart of Dakota.

**Full year update**After a full year of this, I found it to be too fast paced and poorly set up for 3 days a week. Supposedly you should be able to do this 3 or 5 days a week. You can, but we missed some crucial things like days of the week, and months. Yet we spent 4 months reviewing colors and basic shapes while soaring through the alphabet and phonics, numbers and math. In my opinion, this is a great curriculum in so many ways but the fast pace left my 4 year old anxious as soon as we begin phonics or math. She ended the year not liking school and I slowed down and worked hard to make it fun. It is also very extensive and could be time consuming if you try to do it all. The book authors advocate a fun environment and encourage you to play and learn as you see fit. If I were to do everything, we would easily spend 4 hours a day doing prek 5 days a week. For a homeschool setting that’s too much. So I cut back significantly.Original Feedback:This is an extensive curriculum for a mom wanting to do 3 days a week for half of a day. BUT once I learned to navigate the ideas presented, I enjoy picking and choosing as we go. My highest praise goes to their basis of learning > the Bible. Sure my child is 4, but knows relationships and science have a source and anchor is crucial even now! After 4 weeks I am extremely happy for the content and value I received.

This is a fantastic easy to follow biblical curriculum that my daughter loves. It’s not overwhelming and has been all around great.

I love this. I started using it with my 3 and 4 year old and it's great for both of them. It does take alot of copying pages but it's a good curriculum. It's can ba a all day thing a half day thing or if you cut out all the breaks a few hrs which we do quite often. My girl have a hard time taking breaks so sometimes we will do some in the morning then do some at night. I wasn't sure how it was going to be for home schooling just two kids when I know quite a few day cares that use this but it works great for home schooling.

When you receive this and start reading the teacher manual, it can be overwhelming! BUT..........don't!! :) Just read through the book BEFORE you plan to start, get a few of the listed supplies, you can make this program your own:) This set gives you all the tools you need, just buy what craft supplies you can comfortably afford! This set is also made for schools, very complete. My son was 2.5 when I bought it last year, he does very well with it. Get the DVD set to go with it, it truly compliments this set! Just have fun and let your child be a kid, enjoy your time with your child(ren)! :)

My son is almost 4 and I wanted a comprehensive curriculum that would teach him what he needs to know plus the Bible. I was delighted to find Horizons. The teacher guide is helpful for lesson planning, while giving me flexibility for our schedule and my son's current level. We both like the colorful illustrations and activities. He's learned a lot in just the few weeks we've been doing it. I also really appreciate the Biblical focus, as it takes us through Creation and teaches important character qualities. I'm so thankful we got this curriculum and will probably get the kindergarten one as well!

wow! this is really meant for a teacher teacher, but I use it for homeschooling my 3 year old. He LOVES it! He learns the bible verses quickly and is already advanced with some of the material. (knows all of his abc's, etc) This kit has a huge amount of extra's. I almost get overwhelmed! But, I've been trying to take it slow and not worry about using every little extra. I put them in plastic sleeves and give my son a dry erase marker to reuse the worksheets and to protect the visuals for the "classroom."