Preschool can be so much fun! I’ve done it three times now and still enjoy doing it every time.

I even did THIS video that gives my favorite 5 tips that I’ve learned homeschooling preschool.

Plus, I am always on the search for affordable ways to teach my kids. The Good and the Beautiful was a GREAT affordable option for my preschooler this year.

I’ve also been asked some really good questions about The Good and the Beautiful Pre-K curriculum. Things like:

1. What age do I use the Pre-K book?
2. Should we include the Math K with the Pre-K Course book?
3. What is the Pre-K curriculum like compared to the Primer?
4. What does The Good and the Beauitful Pre-K book include?

Watch this video on YouTube.

When Do I use the Pre-K book or at What Age?

If you want a hard and fast age, I would say anywhere from age 3 to age 5. But it really depends on your kids.

My youngest (3rd child) started at age 3 ½. He ended up completed it when he was 4 ½. It started out slower, but after he turned 4 he went a lot faster through the lessons and things started to click more quickly. I never pushed it, though.

As far as HOW OFTEN we did the lessons, 2-4 days a week for lessons, depending on the week. And lessons took anywhere from 10 minutes to 15 minutes.

Should we include Math K with the Pre-K course book?

This was an interesting question. But to help you answer that, The Good and The Beautiful Pre-K does include some math, but not a lot. You get number recognition and counting and some introduction to money, but that’s it.

And as far as I’m concerned, I think that was plenty! Anything else my 4 year old picked up in regards to math was in every day life.

He saw me baking and pouring in teaspoons of vanilla and 1 and 1/2 cups of four. He saw me talking with his big brother and sister about what time it was and how many minutes until we had to leave to go somewhere. He saw us cut pizzas and divide them evenly with his siblings. (See my video for more on how I do math with preschoolers).

If you have a 3 or 4 year old I would say you shouldn’t consider adding in the Math K at this time. If you are using this curriculum with a 5 year old, then I would say you could probably include it if you wanted to, but you don’t have to.

The Good and the Beautiful Pre-K vs. Primer

Many people have wondered how the Pre-K course book and the Primer level are different.

I have not used it myeslf, but did look it up and am researching it for my child for next year. And I see that it is very similar, but it is a step up from the Pre-K book. It’s a great bridge between the Pre-K book and the Level K.

The Primer level continues with letter sounds but starts blending the letters together.

I believe the Pre-K book would fit your 3 or 4 year old and the Prime is for a 4 or 5 year old who is not ready for the Level K quite yet.

Some Cons with the Good and The Beautiful Pre-K

This curriculum does not include a lot other than math and phonics.

If you want Bible memory or nature study type lessons, you will have to supplement with your own. I wasn’t concerned with this because I did Bible and Nature Study with my older two kids. He just fit right in with those lessons and covered all the subjects I wanted him to.

This Pre-K book also doesn’t include a lot of writing practice. If you were wanting more for that, you would have to purchase the handwriting book from The Good and The Beautiful or any other handwriting program you like.

Overall it’s a Good, Simple Preschool Curriculum for 3-5 year olds

I felt like this was a great simple curriculum to use with my third child! I did another curriculum with my oldest that I enjoyed more. I felt it was more in depth and covered more of what I wanted at the time (like Bible, sensory activities, nature study, reading lists).

But this was my third child, and I felt with two other children to teach, something short and sweet was what I needed this year. He sat in for Bible time and science and history lessons with my older children, so this was perfect.

This could work for a family who is using it with their oldest child and needs something simple, but if you want more, you will have to add.

Especially sensory activities! There are a few games that were fun to do, but there wasn’t a lot of sensory play that little ones need to experience.

Also, this could be a great fit for a first year homeschooler as a safety net of “what do I do?”

Checkout my video: Charlotte Mason Way to Early Years at Home

5 Things to Focus on Teaching Your Preschooler at Home