Wondering how to include truth, goodness, and beauty in your homeschool preschool? What does it really look like with our little learners? Today’s guest author (and second-generation homeschool mom) Laura McKinney Adams has a lovely perspective to share!
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Truth, Goodness, and Beauty in the Homeschool Preschool
by Laura McKinney Adams
You are never too young to enjoy truth, goodness, and beauty. In fact, the pursuit of such things might be one of the best things to do with young learners.
But what does that look like in real life? Sometimes the transcendentals feel a bit lofty and out of touch when you’re drowning in dishes and sippy cups.
I started a very simple morning time routine with my oldest when he was 2 years old. We focused on learning how to sit and listen to a few Bible verses while playing quietly with a toy. Over time, we worked our way up to listening to entire chapters. Once that was easy, we added a picture book to the routine. Later, we started listening to classical music and hymns together and looking at art prints.
Expect interruptions. As I write this, my children are 6, 5, and 2. Even now, we still experience frequent interruptions during school time. But we persevere and keep going. You are not doing anything wrong if you frequently experience disruptions!
For Bible, I recommend John or Proverbs as good first books to read aloud. John’s language is more simple, which makes it easier for preschoolers to understand. It also gives a good overview of the life of Christ. If you expect you will need to stop mid-chapter on a regular basis, the book of Proverbs is a good choice. Since it isn’t narrative driven, stopping partway through a chapter is less disruptive to the book’s flow.
There are countless beautiful picture books to share with your little one. Amy wrote about some lovely ones here.
Many recordings of classical music are available to stream on Spotify. My children particularly loved all of the animals and antics in Peter and the Wolf. It’s also great for introducing the various instruments that comprise an orchestra. The Nutcracker is another classic. You can watch a full length professional production by The New York City Ballet on YouTube. We watched only snippets at a time at first, but as my preschoolers matured, they grew more and more interested. Now they recognize the music from The Nutcracker when they hear it in movies or out and about. What fun!
As you develop your morning time, consider what sparks joy in your own heart. I grew up with more traditional church music, so I have enjoyed teaching my children hymns. The Doxology is a good first hymn since it is short, but full of depth and meaning. I have also loved sharing A.A. Milne’s poetry with my preschoolers.
Sharing art with young children teaches them to pay attention to detail. If you prefer having a bit of guidance as you begin discussing art with your children, I recommend the Come Look With Me series. These are lovely hardcover books that include great works of art and things to discuss with your children about the pieces.
If you are looking for encouragement, resources, and practical tips for your homeschool preschool journey, check out my new ebook, How to Homeschool Preschool. In it, I weave together everything I’ve learned from my five years of working with preschoolers in classroom, homeschool, and co-op settings. I share my best practices in one convenient and easy to implement guide.
Laura McKinney Adams is a wife and mother to three and the author of the ebook How to Homeschool Preschool. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Liberty University. While at Liberty, she met her husband, who is a fellow homeschool graduate. She writes about classical education, lifelong learning for moms, and homeschooling the early years at lauramckinneyadams.com.
