Seasonal Preschool Curriculum for ages 3 to 5

Rhythms of the Year is a 45 week, seasonal preschool curriculum. It has a 1-week introduction to the seasons; 3 twelve-week unit studies: Autumn, Winter, and Spring; and an 8 week Summer unit. It is a completely secular preschool curriculum.

The curriculum has weekly themes related to each unit. Each week you get a plan with 1 main book, circle time material, art and craft projects, hands-on activities, poetry, a recipe, nature study, a field trip suggestions, plus 2-4 extra books to extend learning.

This is a light and playful introduction to structured learning for ages 3 to 5. You won’t be sitting at a table all day or doing busy work with your preschooler. Instead, you will tune into the natural Rhythms of the Year and enjoy guided learning time with your child.

Rhythms of the Year Preschool Curriculum Includes:

  • Weekly Book – the week’s theme is built around this
  • Circle Time Materials
  • Action Verse – simple poems written by us with actions and movements incorporated
  • Art & Craft Projects – fun and simple projects perfect for 3 to 5 year olds
  • Hands-On Activities – play-based STEM activities
  • Cooking – a weekly recipe
  • Poetry – a weekly poem that you can use for poetry teatime
  • Nature Study – use the included Seasonal Observations Journal
  • Field Trip suggestions
  • Optional related books you can check out from the library
  • 120-page Activity Pack

Watch the video to see more pages from the activity pack!

Who is Rhythms of the Year for?

  • Parents who want to homeschool preschool.
  • Parents who want an open and go curriculum that requires very little prep work.
  • Families who enjoy nature or want to be in nature more.
  • Parents looking for a gentle introduction to structured learning.
  • Families who enjoy reading together and doing hands-on activities and projects.
  • Families looking for a secular curriculum.

Rhythms of the Year Curriculum FAQ

How much time does the curriculum take per day?

We designed this curriculum to take about an hour per day, 4 days a week. Then we encourage you to enjoy a field trip one day a week as well.

How many weeks of lesson plans are included?

There are 45 weeks planned in this curriculum. Yes, this is longer than a typical school year (which would be 36 weeks). We included a great summer unit so you can use this curriculum over a full calendar year, but also take plenty of time off when needed.

What ages is this curriculum for?

We designed this curriculum for ages 3 to 5. However, you could use it with a 2-year-old with a bit of modification, and you could use it as a morning basket activity for 6 to 8-year-olds.

Will my child learn to read with this curriculum?

No. We do not teach letters or sounds in this curriculum. There are some brilliant reading curricula available that do this so well, and I don’t recommend teaching reading until kids are 4.5 or older. When you are ready to teach your child to read, I recommend Logic of English Foundations. You can read my LOE Foundations review here.

Can religious families use this curriculum?

Yes. This curriculum is not against religion, it is just secular (meaning that no religion is taught within it). You can always add a religious study to your homeschool if you want to.

Can I see the book list for this curriculum?

Yes, scroll down this page and you’ll see a full list with Amazon links to all the books needed for this curriculum!

Can I try a sample of the curriculum?

Yes! You can get a free sample. Just fill out the form below and it will be emailed to you.

Rhythms of the Year Preschool Curriculum

Choose to buy the digital PDF and print it yourself or purchase the spiral-bound hard copy. Digital files are included with the print copy too! If you get the print copy, you will also need to buy the Seasonal Observations Journal in print, otherwise, you will only get the PDF of it.

**Digital PDF of the Seasonal Observations Journal is included with the Preschool Curriculum.**

Free Sample of Rhythms of the Year

Choosing a curriculum can be so challenging! I want you to be confident in your decision, so you can get a free sample of Rhythms of the Year Preschool Curriculum. You’ll get 1 full week with accompanying activities! Just enter your information below to get your free sample!

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Books Required for Rhythms of the Year Curriculum

Each week there is a required book to go along with the week’s theme. Plus you’ll need a poetry book for the whole year. You can find almost all of the books on this Bookshop List here. Bookshop is a great place to buy books because they also support local bookstores!

Below you’ll find Amazon links for all the books too. Of course, you can also buy books used or check them out from your library!

Spine Books Used in All Unit Studies

Autumn Unit Study Weekly Book List

  1. Goodbye Summer, Hello Autumn
  2. From Apple Trees to Cider, Please!
  3. Leaf Trouble
  4. We’re Going on a Leaf Hunt
  5. The Little Red Hen
  6. Otis and the Scarecrow
  7. Too Many Pumpkins
  8. Room on the Broom
  9. King Jack and the Dragon
  10. If You Give a Moose a Muffin
  11. Bear Has a Story to Tell
  12. Give Thanks for Each Day

Winter Unit Study Weekly Book List

  1. Goodbye Autumn, Hello Winter
  2. The Shortest Day: Celebrating the Winter Solstice
  3. Squirrel’s New Year’s Resolutions
  4. Over and Under the Snow
  5. The Mitten
  6. The Snowy Day
  7. Snowmen at Night
  8. This is Not a Valentine
  9. The Wish Tree
  10. Owl Moon
  11. Flip and Flop
  12. Shh! Bears Sleeping

Spring Unit Study Weekly Book List

  1. Goodbye Winter, Hello Spring
  2. Argyle Fox
  3. A Nest is Noisy
  4. The Backyard Bug Book for Kids
  5. Up in the Garden, Down in the Dirt
  6. The Little Mouse, The Red Ripe Strawberry, and the Big Hungry Bear
  7. Little Loon and Papa
  8. Singing in the Rain
  9. If You Give a Mouse a Cookie
  10. A Butterfly is Patient
  11. Mix It Up
  12. Sun Above and Blooms Below: A Springtime of Opposites

Summer Unit Study Weekly Book List

  1. And Then Comes Summer
  2. Over and Under the Pond
  3. The Thing About Bees: A Love Letter
  4. Big Red Barn
  5. Fireflies
  6. Over and Under the Rainforest
  7. Cheers for a Dozen Ears: A Summer Crop of Counting
  8. Sunflower House

Rhythms of the Year Preschool Curriculum

This is a playful, gentle introduction to homeschooling for both child and parent. Rhythms of the Year will give you the guidance you need to develop a family rhythm that includes structured learning time.

Buy Rhythms of the Year to get in tune with nature, have fun teaching your preschooler, and start your child’s homeschooling journey in a nurturing, positive way!

More about homeschooling preschool:

Seasonal Unit Study Preschool Curriculum