Young Minds Blossoming: Short Lessons in the Charlotte Mason Method for Ages 3 to 5
What do you do with a toddler, a preschooler and a kindergartener?
Charlotte Mason calls this ‘the quiet growing time’
They are not quite ready for formal school yet but ready to explore the world! So if you're looking for ideas on how to keep up with your child’s curiosity and energy, read on.
Now, let me share a little secret with you - when my son was 3 years old, we embarked on an incredible journey of read-alouds, habit formation, Bible study, and outdoor play. I must have read so many books to him that I could probably rival the number of books a preschool teacher reads in her entire career! Ha! But you know what? It was worth every moment. We started with a toddler's Bible, then moved on to a preschooler's Bible, and finally delved into the world of children's Bibles. We would read these stories over and over again, and as my son grew, his curiosity grew too. He always had questions, and we would have the most wonderful discussions.
But reading books wasn't the only thing we did. We were always out and about, exploring the world around us. My son loved helping me sweep the leaves in our front yard, and guess what? He still does it to this day! He even asked to help wash the dishes when he was little, and now he takes care of the breakfast dishes all by himself. Now, let's dive into how a week and a month would look like at home with children aged 3 to 5, integrating read-alouds, habit formation, Bible study, and outdoor play. Get ready for some fun and exciting adventures!
"The mind is capable of dealing with only one kind of food; it lives, grows and is nourished upon ideas only; mere information is to it as a meal of sawdust to the body; there are no organs for the assimilation of the one more than of the other." (A Philosophy of Education, p. 105)
Week 1:
Monday: Get cozy and embark on a short read-aloud session, introducing a new storybook (find out what living books are here) filled with captivating characters and an exciting plot. Encourage your little ones to ask questions and share their thoughts. Let their imaginations soar! Oh, and by the way, if you're from the Philippines, you've got to check out The Learning Basket and Pumplepie Books. They're like treasure troves of amazing books that will make your read-aloud sessions even more magical! Tuesday: Let's focus on forming good habits. Teach your children simple routines like tidying up their toys or brushing their teeth. But hey, let's make it fun and engaging! You can sing the Clean Up Song by Super Simple Songs while packing away the toys. Trust me, it works like a charm! And guess what? I've got a little secret weapon for you - a Charlotte Mason List of Habits printable that you can use as a guide not just for these early years, but all the way until your child is all grown up. How cool is that?
Wednesday: Time for some Bible study! Pick a short Bible story and dive deep into its moral lessons. Encourage your little ones to reflect on how they can apply those lessons in their daily lives. You can ask them questions like, "If you were Noah, would you say yes to God if He asked you to build a big boat because it's going to rain and flood the whole world?" or "How about if Mommy asked you to wear your rain boots because it's safer to walk in muddy puddles with them on?" Let their imaginations soar while learning valuable life lessons! Oh, and (again) guess what? I've got a whole series of blog posts on Bible story lessons. You can use them as a guide for each week. How handy is that?
Thursday: Let's step outside and embrace the wonders of nature! Take your little ones on a nature walk and let them explore the world around them. Encourage them to collect leaves or rocks and engage in sensory activities. Trust me, just an hour outside in the morning or afternoon will do wonders for both you and your child. Friday: It's time for some hands-on fun! Engage in a creative activity that connects to the read-aloud book from Monday. It could be a craft, a role-play, or even a simple science experiment. Let your child's imagination run wild while reinforcing the lessons learned from the story. Get ready for some unforgettable moments! Now, let's take a look at what a whole month of exciting adventures looks like! Month 1: Week 1: Let's explore our world!
Read-Aloud: Introduce your little ones to a new book series, reading a chapter each day. Discuss the characters, settings, and themes, and watch their imaginations come to life.
Habit: This week, let's focus on forming good habits related to personal hygiene, like washing hands, taking a bath, or getting dressed independently. Let's reinforce these habits with positive reinforcement and lots of praise!
Bible: Dive deeper into Bible study by exploring different stories and discussing their moral teachings. Encourage your little ones to express their thoughts and relate the stories to their own lives. Let their faith grow alongside their curiosity.
Outdoor Play: Take your little ones to a local park or nature reserve and let them engage in free play. Watch as they discover the wonders of nature, observe plants and animals, and simply enjoy the beauty of the world around them. Week 2: Let's dive into emotions and stories!
Read-Aloud: Choose a story that explores emotions and feelings. Let your little ones discover the power of empathy and understanding.
Habit: This week, let's focus on saying "please" and "thank you." It's all about teaching them the importance of gratitude and kindness.
Bible: Discuss stories of courage and facing challenges. Let your little ones find inspiration in the stories of heroes and heroines from the Bible.
Outdoor Play: Encourage imaginative games in an outdoor setting. Let their creativity soar as they create their own stories and adventures.
Week 3: Let's discover the power of friendship!
Read-Aloud: Explore stories about friendship and cooperation. Let your little ones learn the value of true friendship.
Habit: Let's focus on practicing good table manners. It's time to teach them the joy of sharing meals with loved ones.
Bible: Introduce stories of sharing and caring for friends. Let your little ones learn the importance of kindness and compassion.
Outdoor Play: Play interactive games that promote teamwork. Watch as they learn the power of working together towards a common goal. Week 4: Let's explore our world through the seasons!
Read-Aloud: Select a book about the changing seasons. Let your little ones discover the beauty and wonders of nature's cycle.
Habit: This week, let's form the habit of brushing teeth before bed. It's all about taking care of ourselves and our bodies.
Bible: Connect Bible stories to the beauty of different seasons. Let your little ones see the wonders of God's creation through the lens of the changing seasons.
Outdoor Play: Explore nature's seasonal changes through observation. Let your little ones marvel at the magic of nature's transformations. Remember, these are just starting points. Feel free to add your own twist and adapt the activities to your child's emerging interests. The key is to make learning fun, engaging, and tailored to your child's unique needs. By integrating read-alouds, habit formation, Bible study, and the joy of outdoor play into short lessons, you're setting the stage for an educational journey that nurtures your child's love for learning and holistic development. Get ready for some unforgettable moments and let the adventure begin!
So there you have it, a glimpse into the wonderful world of the short lesson in Charlotte Mason method for ages 3 to 5. I hope these ideas inspire you to embark on your own adventure of nurturing young minds and blossoming imaginations. If you want more resources, tips, and support on implementing the Charlotte Mason approach, I encourage you to join and subscribe to our community. Together, we can create a rich and joyful learning experience for our little ones. Happy exploring!
Commentaires