The Power of Interest-Led Learning with Young Kids
One of the biggest joys of homeschooling is the freedom to follow our children’s interests. With a 4-year-old and now an 8-year-old (how is that even possible?!), I’ve seen firsthand how much more meaningful learning becomes when it’s sparked by their natural curiosity.
When my kids are interested in something, the learning just flows. If my 8-year-old gets curious about sharks, suddenly we’re pulling out books, watching videos, sketching waterways, and having long conversations about her favorite shark at bedtime. What could have been a “boring” science lesson becomes exciting because it’s tied to something they care about. Who else has a child interested in watching shark week with you??
And my 4-year-old? At this age, it’s all about play, exploration, and being absolutely feral. If he’s obsessed with building towers, we talk about shapes, balance, and numbers while he plays. If he wants to “help” in the kitchen, we measure, mix, and sneak in early math skills.
The beauty of interest-led learning is that it doesn’t feel like school. It feels like living life together, with learning woven into everyday moments. Kids naturally soak up so much when we lean into what they’re curious about. It also helps that they’re learning real life skills that will come in handy one day.
Does this mean we never follow a curriculum? Not at all—we still use resources to give us structure and cover the bases. But I’ve learned to hold that loosely. If we fall down a rabbit hole of dinosaurs, art projects, or baking experiments, that’s not wasted time—it’s real learning. We use The Good and the Beautiful, you can find it here. We love this curriculum!
Every family’s rhythm looks different, and every child has unique sparks of curiosity. Trust that those sparks matter. When we let our children’s interests guide us, even just part of the time, we’re showing them that learning isn’t about checking boxes—it’s about exploring the world with wonder.
And honestly? That’s the kind of education I want for my kids.