Maybe you have heard about morning baskets in homeschool and are wondering if it is something that you should be doing. Honestly, there are a lot of things we hear of as “shoulds” and they really are just “that would be nice” or “totally optional”. The great thing about homeschooling is that we make it work for us. For some that means doing a morning basket routine, for others it is not. Do what works for you!
WHAT ARE MORNING BASKETS?
A morning basket is essentially a collection of materials that you and your children use together at the start of each homeschool day. It typically includes things like read-aloud books, poetry, art supplies, educational games, or other resources that you want to incorporate into your homeschool routine. And it will look different for every family.
It also doesn’t have to be called a “morning basket”. You can call it what you like – circle time, family time, power hour….whatever you like. It is generally called a morning basket because you keep all those materials in one basket.
WHY HAVE THIS ROUTINE?
Morning baskets can help set a positive tone for the day, provide structure and routine to your homeschooling schedule, and foster a love for learning in your children. They can also be a great way to introduce new topics or materials, encourage discussion and critical thinking, and promote family bonding through shared activities.
Many families, who have a range of ages, find that morning baskets are a great way to start the day, and to do some subjects together, so that the day doesn’t drag on.
Morning baskets can easily be tailored to meet the unique needs and interests of each homeschooling family. You can choose the materials that align with your educational goals, values, and preferences. There is no one right way of doing a morning basket routine.
Here are some key reasons why families have a morning basket routine:
Morning routine –
having a structured start to the day.It can help set a positive tone, improve focus, and create a sense of normalcy and routine.
Family bonding –
This can be a time for the whole family to come together and start the day on a positive note. It provides an opportunity for parents and children to connect, read together, discuss topics, and engage in meaningful conversations.
Encouraging a love for learning –
Morning baskets often include a variety of educational materials such as books, poems, art supplies, and other resources. It is a great way to expose children to a diverse range of subjects and materials early in the day.
Cultivating a rich learning environment –
Morning baskets can introduce children to a wide range of topics and exposure to new ideas and concepts.
Stress-free start –
Starting the day with a morning basket can help reduce stress and anxiety for both parents and children. By having a designated time for quiet reading, reflection, and discussion, families can ease into the day in a calm and peaceful manner.
WHAT CAN YOU PUT IN A MORNING BASKET?
What would you like to put in? It really is up to you. Most families aim for 45 minutes to 1 hour with their morning basket. The main question would be “what is important to you to include?” and follow that up with “what can we all learn together?” True, your younger ones might not get as much out of the morning basket as the older one, but as they are part of it, they learn to sit, to listen, to engage.
Here are some things you could have as part of your morning routine:
- Read Alouds
- Memorization
- Devotions/Bible Reading
- Poetry
- Art lessons – artist studies, art history
- Drawing
- Composer studies and music appreciation
- Nature Studies
- Mapwork
- Logic Games or Critical Thinking Games
- Journaling
- Etc.
DO YOU HAVE TO DO A MORNING BASKET?
The answer is simply “no”. It is a personal preference.
WHAT IF IT ISN’T WORKING?
If your children are showing boredom or hesitance to do the morning routine, look at what you are doing. Ask them what they would like to do. Their input is always valuable. Maybe it is just too much and you need to cut back. You can even stop it for a while and see if that makes a difference. This should be something that is working for you, and if it doesn’t then you need to change it up. But also look at your expectations of your children. Are you expecting them to sit quietly, etc? This should also be fun and varied.
