Curriculum advice
Choose resources and teaching methods that suit your child while meeting the requirements that apply where you live.
Curriculum is more than a boxed program
A curriculum is the overall plan for what your child will learn. You can use purchased programs, textbooks, online courses, library books, projects and your own lessons. The important question is whether the combination provides appropriate learning and meets your local registration requirements.
Australian Curriculum Version 9.0
The Australian Curriculum Version 9.0 covers Foundation to Year 10 and sets out learning areas, general capabilities and cross-curriculum priorities. Not every home educator in every jurisdiction is required to follow it in the same way, so check your state or territory rules before building your plan around it.
Visit the Australian Curriculum →
Common approaches
Structured
Planned subjects, regular lessons and clear progression. Helpful for families who prefer routine or want close alignment with year-level content.
Eclectic
A flexible mix of methods and resources selected for each subject or child. This is common because one approach rarely fits everything.
Unit studies
Several subjects are connected through one theme. A unit on oceans, for example, can combine science, geography, writing, maths and art.
Project and interest-led
Learning grows from meaningful projects and a child's interests while parents deliberately ensure important skills and required areas are covered.
Integrating Islamic learning
Quran, authentic hadith, seerah, Islamic history, Arabic and character education can be woven into family life and relevant learning areas. Islamic content should be sourced carefully. MHENA recommends checking Quran citations and relying on authentic hadith collections rather than circulating unattributed material.
How to choose resources
- Start with the learning goal, not the product.
- Choose material at the child's actual level rather than only by age or year label.
- Preview religious, social and worldview content before handing resources to children.
- Avoid buying an entire year's program before trialling the teaching style where possible.
- Keep workload realistic. More worksheets do not automatically mean better education.
Curriculum approaches
The original MHENA curriculum guide encouraged families to understand that there is no single homeschool method. Depending on the child and family, approaches can include structured curriculum programs, unit studies, eclectic homeschooling, Charlotte Mason-inspired methods and more self-directed learning.
Before choosing resources, check your state or territory requirements and decide what evidence or records you need to keep. Then choose materials that suit the child’s level, learning needs and family priorities.