Gentle enough for little ones. Structured enough to trust.
Written by two mothers with many children of their own, A Year of Playing Skillfully is designed to fit naturally into your daily rhythms. No teaching experience required — just a willingness to slow down, observe, and enjoy your child.
One to two hours a day is enough. The curriculum is self-paced, beautifully illustrated, and easy to follow, making it the perfect first step into classical homeschooling — or a peaceful supplement to whatever you're already doing.
What Is a Classical Preschool & Pre-K Curriculum?
Our classical preschool and Pre-K homeschool curriculum is designed for ages 3–5, nurturing the whole child by cultivating wonder, language, and habits that prepare them for a lifetime of learning. At the preschool and pre-K stage, this means surrounding children with rich language through stories, songs, and conversation — encouraging oral narration as they retell what they've heard, and forming gentle routines that build attention, obedience, and delight. Play is not just free time; it is purposeful, guiding children to explore, imitate, and discover the world around them.
Unlike many secular preschool approaches that prioritize early academics or fragmented activities, a classical education emphasizes unhurried growth, strong relationships, and the formation of the heart and mind. This is the approach embodied in A Year of Playing Skillfully, Classical Academic Press's joyful guide for the earliest years — a flexible, beautifully illustrated companion designed to help families weave wonder into the rhythms of everyday life.
Classical Homeschool Curriculum for Preschool
A classical preschool curriculum at this age is mostly about wonder, language, and presence. Children soak in stories, rhymes, and songs; they observe nature; they imitate the rhythms and habits they see in you. The goal is not academic readiness as much as it is life readiness — joy, attention, and an appetite for learning.
A Year of Playing Skillfully offers a flexible preschool homeschool curriculum that fits naturally into your day, with simple activities organized around monthly themes and character traits.
Core Focus: Wonder & Imagination · Read-Alouds & Rhyme · Sensory Play · Outdoor Exploration · Habit Formation · Art & Music
Classical Homeschool Curriculum for Pre-K
A classical pre-K curriculum begins to add gentle structure to the wonder of the preschool years. Children build early literacy readiness — recognizing letters and sounds, retelling stories, beginning to count and sort — while continuing the playful, language-rich learning of preschool.
This is also the natural moment to introduce a first taste of Latin through Song School Latin, which most pre-K families enjoy as a sing-along supplement. A Year of Playing Skillfully remains the foundation, with character traits and themes that grow with your child.
Core Focus: Letter & Sound Recognition · Oral Narration · Number Sense · Fine Motor Skills · Character Traits · Optional Song School Latin
What Your Child Will Learn in Preschool & Pre-K
A Year of Playing Skillfully weaves all seven areas of early-childhood development through monthly themes and character traits — making each month feel both fresh and connected.
Motor Skills & Outdoor Play
Gross motor development through movement and outdoor time
Who This Curriculum Is For
Preschoolers (ages 3–4) — introducing classical learning through play and wonder.
Pre-K students (ages 4–5) — building foundational habits and early literacy readiness.
First-time homeschool families and parents new to classical education.
Families transitioning from institutional preschool, or supplementing it gently at home.
Grandparents and family members looking for a meaningful gift for a new mom or young child.
Written by two mothers with many children of different ages, this curriculum is designed to make the wonder and fun of early learning as easy to deliver as possible — for children ages 3 to 7.
Why Classical Academic Press for Preschool & Pre-K
Award-Winning Approach
Practical Homeschool Award winners. CAP curricula are recognized year after year by the homeschool families who use them.
Authentically Classical
Rooted in the classical tradition for over 25 years. A Year of Playing Skillfully brings that same depth and beauty to the earliest years.
Flexible for Real Life
Structured enough to create routine, flexible enough to fit daily fluctuations — designed by mothers, for mothers.
A Beautiful Gift
A classical preschool curriculum makes a meaningful gift for a baby shower, first birthday, or new grandchild.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a classical preschool curriculum?
What is a classical preschool curriculum?
A classical preschool curriculum nurtures young children through rich language, purposeful play, habit formation, and wonder — laying a foundation for lifelong learning rather than rushing into early academics. It emphasizes stories, songs, narration, and the beauty of the world over worksheets and screens.
What ages is this curriculum for?
What ages is this curriculum for?
A Year of Playing Skillfully is designed for children ages 3 to 7. It works as a primary preschool and pre-K homeschool curriculum, and continues to enrich the kindergarten and early elementary years as a supplement to more structured academics.
Is this curriculum religious or faith-based?
Is this curriculum religious or faith-based?
Yes. The character traits and themes are grounded in a Christian worldview, but the curriculum is approachable for any family that values virtue, wonder, and classical principles in early-childhood education.
How much time per day does this curriculum take?
How much time per day does this curriculum take?
Most families spend 1 to 2 hours per day on the curriculum's activities, and it's entirely self-paced. You can do a little or a lot depending on your child's age, attention span, and your family's rhythm.
Do I need teaching experience to use this?
Do I need teaching experience to use this?
Not at all. A Year of Playing Skillfully was written by two mothers with the everyday parent in mind. The instructions are simple, the activities are intuitive, and the goal is to help you enjoy your child — not to perform as a teacher.
What format does the curriculum come in?
What format does the curriculum come in?
The curriculum is a packet of 296 beautifully illustrated, loose pages designed to be kept in a folder or 3-ring binder. The loose-leaf format makes it easy to spread out activities, share between siblings, and revisit favorite pages year after year.
What comes after the preschool and pre-K curriculum?
What comes after the preschool and pre-K curriculum?
After A Year of Playing Skillfully, families typically transition into the Lower Grammar stage (Kindergarten through 5th grade), where CAP offers Song School Latin, Well-Ordered Language, and a full classical curriculum. Explore the Lower Grammar collection →
Ready to Begin?
A Year of Playing Skillfully is everything you need for a joyful, classical preschool and pre-K year. Beautiful, simple, and made for real family life.