Homeschool Made Simple

The transitional period between childhood and adolescence can be daunting. However, it is also key to shaping their spiritual growth.
Carole Joy Seid and Rachel Winchester discuss the importance of understanding middle schoolers' developmental needs. Cultivating an environment where children are free to embrace both their lingering childhood tendencies and the emerging traits of independence and responsibility is key.
This episode from the archive will encourage you to savor the middle school years with your child, helping you navigate this transitional period with confidence and joy. Homeschooling middle schoolers can be enjoyable!
RESOURCES
+Minding Your Own Business by Dr. Raymond and Dorothy Moore
+The Healthiest Kid in the Neighborhood by Dr. Bill Sears
+$10 Preschool Interview with Carole and J.J.
+Buy some of our favorite books here! 10 Of Those + $1 shipping!
+Build Your Family’s Library: Grab our FREE book list here
+Get our FREE ebook: 5 Essential Parts of a Great Education.
+Attend one of our upcoming seminars this year!
+Click HERE for more information about consulting with Carole Joy Seid!
CONNECT
Homeschool Made Simple | Website | Seminars | Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest
Mentioned in this episode:
Musical Lessons in Your Home: Use code HOMESCHOOL20 for 20% off lessons
Voetberg Music Academy
Come get encouragement for homeschooling at one of our seminars this year!
HMS 2026 Seminars

These years are when the "better late than early" approach is so important as parents prepare their elementary-aged kids for a gradual transition to more serious studies in middle and high school.
When homeschooling elementary-aged children, we want to take things slowly. Academics should build over time to prevent academic burnout.
Carole and Rachel discuss integrating study, work, and service by doing short, concrete lessons in phonics, real-life math, and handwriting. And of course, they encourage reading out loud to develop a love for reading!
RESOURCES
+Click here for a complete list of books mentioned in this episode
+Buy some of our favorite books here! 10 Of Those + $1 shipping!
+Build Your Family’s Library: Grab our FREE book list here
+Get our FREE ebook: 5 Essential Parts of a Great Education.
+Attend one of our upcoming seminars this year!
+Click HERE for more information about consulting with Carole Joy Seid!
CONNECT
Homeschool Made Simple | Website | Seminars | Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest
Learn More about CTCMath
Mentioned in this episode:
Come get encouragement for homeschooling at one of our seminars this year!
HMS 2026 Seminars
Get 20% off lessons at Voetberg Music Academy using HOMESCHOOL20 code
Voetberg Music Academy

Have you wondered what the best approach to educating your preschooler is? In this episode, we delve into the crucial preschool years and the essential aspects that lay the foundation for educational success.
Rachel and Carole emphasize the importance of viewing preschool as a time for bonding, laying the foundation for future success, and fostering a love for learning through work, service, and study. They recommend focusing on life skills, character development, and nurturing attachment and bonding with children during these early years, rather than early academics. Join us as we encourage parents to listen to their intuition and to enjoy these sweet and formative years.
RESOURCES
+$10 Preschool Interview with Carole and J.J.
+Click here for a complete list of books mentioned in this episode
+Buy some of our favorite books here! 10 Of Those + $1 shipping!
+Build Your Family’s Library: Grab our FREE book list here
+Get our FREE ebook: 5 Essential Parts of a Great Education.
+Attend one of our upcoming seminars this year!
+Click HERE for more information about consulting with Carole Joy Seid!
CONNECT
Homeschool Made Simple | Website | Seminars | Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest
Mentioned in this episode:
Musical Lessons in Your Home: Use code HOMESCHOOL20 for 20% off lessons
Voetberg Music Academy
Come get encouragement for homeschooling at one of our seminars this year!
HMS 2026 Seminars

Are you looking to understand the Homeschool Made Simple method in a nutshell? In this episode from the archive, we explore the research-based, interest-led, and literature-rich approach to homeschooling. Learn how to create a customized curriculum that fits your family's unique needs.
Embrace a holistic view of education that nurtures warm, loving homes and allows your children to pursue their interests under parental guidance. Join us as we discuss the joy of creating a literary-rich environment that shapes your children's character and theology, and how to factor in each child's unique needs.
RESOURCES
+Click here for a complete list of books mentioned in this episode
+Buy some of our favorite books here! 10 Of Those + $1 shipping!
+Build Your Family’s Library: Grab our FREE book list here
+Get our FREE ebook: 5 Essential Parts of a Great Education.
+Attend one of our upcoming seminars this year!
+Click HERE for more information about consulting with Carole Joy Seid!
CONNECT
Homeschool Made Simple | Website | Seminars | Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest
Try CTCMath-Half Price Discount
Mentioned in this episode:
Musical Lessons in Your Home: Use code HOMESCHOOL20 for 20% off lessons
Voetberg Music Academy
Come get encouragement for homeschooling at one of our seminars this year!
HMS 2026 Seminars

300 Episodes! We are celebrating you, our faithful listeners and homeschool community, for coming alongside us on this wonderful journey. In honor of 300, we want to celebrate a homeschool graduate! We love to hear from students who were homeschooled using our methods, because they are the most amazing people you will ever meet!
In this archived episode, Carole sits with Sienna DeMoss who recently graduated from Liberty University. Sienna shares her educational experience being homeschooled.
From our conversation with Sienna, you'll hear what it really takes to prepare children from the real world. We’ll give you a hint - it doesn't include sitting in a room of desks filling out worksheets.
You'll hear about:
her family's homeschooling journey
her own college experience
what prepared her to launch into the world
the value of Bible college
what Sienna would say to people considering homeschool

RESOURCES
+Click here for a complete list of books mentioned in this episode
+Buy some of our favorite books here! 10 Of Those + $1 shipping!
+Build Your Family’s Library: Grab our FREE book list here
+Get our FREE ebook: 5 Essential Parts of a Great Education.
+Attend one of our upcoming seminars this year!
+Click HERE for more information about consulting with Carole Joy Seid!
+Learn more about Word of Life Bible Institute
CONNECT
Homeschool Made Simple | Website | Seminars | Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest
Mentioned in this episode:
Come get encouragement for homeschooling at one of our seminars this year!
HMS 2026 Seminars
Get 20% off lessons at Voetberg Music Academy using HOMESCHOOL20 code
Voetberg Music Academy