Good morning y'all!
Yesterday as I sat there watching my children launch happily into their homeschool "morning basket" I wondered how many other homeschool families do the same?
It is easily my girls favorite part of our homeschool day.
It's not only a great, relaxing and no pressure way to start the morning for your children. But because the work is more fun, even Charlotte Mason like. It captivates your children through hands on materials. Thus, allowing me the time to make some much needed coffee, while they get started. Come on, I can't start my day without a coffee in hand!☕
Now, for those of you who don't use a morning basket, or better yet don't even know what one is. I am here for you!
A morning basket is the start to your homeschool day. In our home my kids eat breakfast and then leisurely start their baskets. Morning baskets are an interactive way to start the day off on a good note. Not text books and workbooks, but more upbeat things such as Art, music, and puzzles.
Some of the more common morning baskets may include an array of the following materials...... But remember, how you use your morning basket can be just as individualized as the items inside it.
Bible study
Science read-aloud (living books that go with our science curriculum)
Spanish flashcards
Poetry memorization
Artist studies
Hymn Study
Composer Study
Art Time
Shakespeare
Nature Study/Journaling
Puzzles
Books on sharks, dinosaurs, flowers, geography, etc.
IPad (occasionally) for brain teaser games
Memory work
Educational games
Etc.
I created a simple morning basket this week for my girls and, to tell you the truth, the basket is just as much for me as it is them. I long to be a more centered, God-focused homeschool mom. So while they do their Bible study I do mine as well.
I also included a fun book on states, another on countries and their cultures. (Which coincides well with our geography lessons) An alphabet dice game (similar to scrabble), geometry boards, a dinosaur encyclopedia and some Spanish flash cards.
Some weeks are better than others, I kept it super simple this week.
I find that "morning basket" time, is a great way we can all work together. Not one child doing algebra and the other division. But rather, enjoying one of the many things that made homeschool so appealing to our family. Togetherness!
Remember this isn't something you just snap into. It may take a little while establishing the routine. Some weeks you will plan out amazing things you want to put in it, while others you will have every intention of making a great basket, when on Monday morning you find yourself running around pulling out random books off the shelf and a little puzzle (much like I did this week🤣) But, I don't think you will be disappointed, even on those "opps, I forgot" weeks.🤷♀️
( Also, don't hesitate to make a separate morning basket for your younger children to help keep them busy while your older ones are working.)
So go grab some coffee, peruse around at what you have to throw in your cute little basket, and let your kids enjoy their relaxing mornings. Before the hard work begins lol.
Comments