Getting started with Morning Time
As a mother of 5, homeschooling a variety of ages, it is important to me to build lifegiving rhythms that keep us connected and help to simplify our homeschool. The rhythm that has worked for us is Morning Time.
Morning Time doesn’t have to be done in the morning
It’s called Morning Time but it doesn’t have to take place in the morning hours it can work perfectly well in the afternoon.
After years of doing Morning Time I have found that it works best for us to have it broken up into two time slots.
Since mealtimes are a natural and easier time to get everyone to the table, Morning Time here works best if the bulk of it takes place during breakfast and lunch. A bonus is that with everyone eating they already have an activity to keep their hands busy.
These slots aren’t at the same time each day because our school days ebb and flow and I also, have a high schooler who is taking a morning class outside of the home. So we work around that schedule as well.
The length of Morning Time varies
Morning time length can vary from day to day and season to season.
It can be as short as 15-20 minutes.
Our morning Time has grown over the years as the capacity of my children and their engagement has increased.
I aim for our meetings to take no longer than 2 hours. This isn’t split perfectly into the two time slots.
We may not always need the full two hours but I plan for it because I want to leave room for conversation, interruptions, and lingering on a topic.
Having margin makes Morning Time feel like something to enjoy and not something to rush through in order to check it off a list.
How it works here is I start by reading over breakfast and a bit after and then pause to do independent work with those who need me. When we sit down for lunch I just pick a book and read and continue until I am losing people. I don’t want to read for too long and the children get too antsy and aren’t paying attention anymore.
Morning Time Subjects
When I got started with Morning Time it was a way to simplify our homeschool. I wanted a specific time to study beautiful subjects so those wouldn’t keep getting lost in the school day. And the way I was doing it felt very scattered.
Since Morning Time is a gathering time with all my children I aim to do as many subjects as I can family style.
Over the years we have studied a variety of things together:
Bible
Hymns
Folksongs
Science
History
Memory Work
Poetry
Shakespeare
Nature Lore/Nature Study
Read alouds
Seasonal Picture Books
Topics of interest (Moms interest too)
Current Events
Habit/Character Studies
Artist
Composers
Geography
Choose just a few things
In order for something to be sustainable it is best to start small and slow.
If you are just getting started do not try to do it all right away.
Back when I got started I was happy to have a place for all the things I wanted to study however, I was overwhelmed trying to do too much all at once.
I had to remember that this is about creating a lifegiving rhythm in my home. It doesn’t have to be perfect and it won’t look exactly like anyone else’s.
Another reason to keep it simple when getting started is that you are creating a schedule you can fall back on during those days when there is a newborn in the house, sick kiddos to care for, or just a busy day.
My simplified schedule includes Bible, history or science, and a read aloud.
Planning for Morning Time
In the beginning of the school year I sit down with a blank sheet and begin to write out all the things I want to study.
This is a brainstorming/ brain dump session. It can all get written down.
Then I consider what I will realistically be able to do in each 6 week term throughout the year (I homeschool sabbath style 6 weeks on 1 week off).
I have to keep in mind any commitments we have and decide what commitments to let go of and how often we can do morning time each week.
I want to have room to linger and go deeper in a topic and that will happen if our schedule feels peaceful instead of crammed.
Spread a feast over time
I am spreading a feast of ideas, inspiration, beauty, and wisdom over our whole school year. I don’t have to do it all everyday all year long.
I don’t even have to do all the things we have set out per term or per day.
When life is crazy we simplify the Morning Time but when we have more time at home and things are going smoothly I will include more subjects.
Consistency builds the habit of Morning Time
We gather together for our Morning Times at least 3-4 times a week. This helps us to stay consistent.
On Fridays we don’t follow our regular schedule. The kids have the opportunity to do some electives. Which means on most Fridays I implement the simplified version of our morning times. And sometimes we just don’t get to it at all.
When things seem to be going wrong
Morning Time is a rhythm that has been a blessing to my family. It is a time we gather together to grow in our love for God and the people He created. It is a time we hear inspiring stories and look at beautiful artwork.
It is a delightful time.
That doesn’t mean it is free from struggles, bad attitudes (mine included), or frustration.
Sometimes we need to cut it short because mom needs to leave the room for a break. Sometimes we don’t get to it because I was too distracted by something else.
There are times the children don’t really want to be around each other and it shows through their actions or harsh words.
That’s homeschooling.
That is life with people.
It’s beautiful and messy.
It’s loud and overwhelming and then it’s slow and peaceful.
I’d like to say I always respond the right way to challenging days but I don’t.
However, when I let those hard times bring me to me knees (or crying on my bed) I am able to seek the grace of God for that day.
I am able to breathe His peace again and go back into the work He has called me to. Knowing that although things may seem to be going wrong I am right where God wants me to be with the people He has blessed me with.
Morning Time is a space we gather together and remember God is there with us.
Here are some resources you might want to check out next.
Resources:
Blog Post: Morning Time in Homeschool: Benefits, Ideas, and Why It Matters for Your Family
Listen to Episodes:
