Morning Time in Homeschool: 10 Creative Ideas to Start Your Day Strong
Just over 10 years ago I had 5 children aged 12, 10, 8, 6 and 2. As the eldest child was working more independently I found that we were not connecting together during the school day as a family like we used to. I wanted everyone to be together before dispersing off for their independent subjects. I came across an idea on the blog “Wildflowers and Marbles” which was called the “Morning Basket”. The creator, Jen, always began her school day with this tradition. I loved this idea and decided to try it for ourselves. We have been doing our ‘Morning Basket’ ever since.
In homeschool lingo, the Morning Basket is called many different things. Morning Time, Circle Time, Morning Menu, Morning Meeting are just a few of the variations I have heard.
So What is Morning Time?
Generally it consists of everyone in the family enjoying subjects together at a certain time of day, no matter what age they are. Families differ as to when they like to do their morning basket, but we always have done it in the morning.
In our house every morning basket term is different, but what bookends our mornings are prayers and read alouds. Sandwiched in the middle are varying subjects. These are not core subjects such as english or maths. These are often subjects of virtue, beauty or goodness.
This time is a time to grow together as a family. All children are included. That is not to say that there aren't plenty of crazy moments…toddlers tantruming, 4 year olds whinging and babies crying…but the struggle is worth the effort.
Why Would You Bother Doing Morning Time?
In our homeschools we tend to focus so much on maths and english and when things get busy it's the creative non-essential subjects that are the first to go. Art, music, poetry, Shakespeare, nature studies, beautiful stories that teach virtues and stories that focus on the heroes of current times and days of days gone by. When we become time-poor who has time for these subjects?
These subjects are the ones that bring beauty to our day. Observing the changing of the seasons, listening to music composed without technology, and admiring artists who painted with talents unparalleled today. These teach something to our children about the beauty of the world they live in which we can never convey enough with just words.
Sometimes there is definitely resistance to our morning basket time. The non-arty child wondering why I am asking them to draw the caterpillar that we found outside, or the child who would rather listen to the latest music dropped by Ed Sheeran than listen to a Chopin Etude, and especially the one who has no interest in Shakespeare is annoyed at being made to memorise some lines from A Midsummer's Night’s Dream. But this time spent together in morning time is one they grow to remember…”Remember the poetry tea times?” They will say, or “Remember that book mum read us all, “On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness?” Some of mine can recite poetry learnt years ago, and they remember Latin and Greek word roots.
We also sometimes bring some ‘delight’ to the table with hot chocolates, snacks and chocolate. According to research a child remembers much better when they are enjoying something - what better way to learn Shakespeare while sipping hot chocolates and eating crunchy, delectable snacks?
So would you like some ideas for what to do in your morning basket? Read on to find out. Here are 10 ideas for you to get you started with links to products that we have used in our homeschool.
10 Creative Morning Time Ideas to Start Your Day Strong
1. Read-Aloud Sessions with Beautiful Literature
Choose books that inspire and captivate, from classic tales to poetry. Reading aloud creates a shared experience, introducing beauty and rich language into your day. See my download on the printables page for our favourite read alouds.
Links
Read Aloud Revival - for lots of read aloud book ideas.
2. Art Appreciation: Studying Masterpieces Together
Start the day with a touch of beauty by exploring famous artworks. Discuss the artist, style, and emotions conveyed, encouraging a love for art and deeper conversations about artworks.
Links
Art Class Curator - 82 Questions to Ask About Art
Child Masterpieces - Masterpieces to look at with young children to learn about art.
Paint by Sticker Artists - Awesome for children to do when you are reading aloud.
To learn how to do a picture study with your children here is a how-to lesson.
3. Nature Journaling: Bringing the Outdoors In
Incorporate nature study by observing plants, animals, or weather, then documenting it through drawing and writing. This activity fosters a connection with the natural world.
Links
No sweat nature study curriculum - nature study from inside your home.
Australian nature study curriculum - learn all about Australian nature - a different one each season!
The Ultimate Guide to Nature Walks - A why and how guide for nature study.
4. Music and Hymn Study
Introduce your child to classical music, folk songs, or hymns. Listening to and singing together helps cultivate a sense of goodness and beauty, setting a peaceful tone.
Links
Themes to Remember - learn classical music through songs.
Classics for Kids Podcast - learn all about classical music and composers.
Lives of the Musicians - a very engaging book about the composers that all ages will enjoy.
5. Family Devotion or Character Study
Use Morning Time to explore values, virtues, or family devotions that bring meaning and purpose. This builds a foundation of goodness and personal growth.
Links
Book of Virtues - read stories to teach about the virtues.
Memorizing Scripture System - memorise scripture - create your own scripture cards.
6. Poetry Tea Time: A Delightful Way to Engage with Words
Enjoy poetry over tea or a special snack. This makes poetry accessible and fun, blending the beauty of language with a cozy, shared experience. There are two ways we have done poetry in our home. The first way is poetry memorisation. The second way is choosing a day of the week that we have tea, a treat to eat and read poetry. We place all our poetry books on the table, everyone puts in their order for a hot drink and they look through all the poetry books and choose one poem to share with everyone. Even the toddler picks one that they want me to read for everyone. This turned the children into poetry lovers!
Links
The Harp and the Laurel Wreath - a book for all ages to pick some poetry to learn or memorise.
Poetry Memorization - an mazing program for students of all ages to learn how to memorise lots of poetry.
7. Storytelling and Oral Narration
Encourage your child to retell favourite stories or create their own. This not only strengthens narrative skills but also deepens family connection through shared imagination.
Links
Oral Narration - what is oral narration and how to do it in your homeschool.
Open Ended Questions - a option instead of Oral Narration plus a free downloadable sheet asa reminder of what to ask children about what they are reading.
8. Quick Math and Logic Games
Incorporate simple, engaging math games that warm up the brain and encourage problem-solving skills.
Links
9. Shakespeare
Why would you want to learn Shakespeare? Does it being back bad memories of you own high school year? It certianly did for me when I heard that many homeschoolers do Shakepeare FOR FUN in their homeschool.
I have grown to really enjoy it! And my kids have had many positive experiences with learning Shakespeare plays. So throw your bias out the window and try some of these options...
Links
How to Teach Your Child Shakespeare
Fun Shakespeare Comic Book for kids that they will pick up voluntarily!
10. Extra things for fun
Start the day with creativity by working on simple crafts, knitting, or drawing. This hands-on activity provides a calming start, enhancing focus and fine motor skills.
If you want already planned-for-you morning time plans you can find them at Your Morning Basket. These are great for when you want to choose theme based morning plans with everything done for you!
Links
We have also used these for our morning basket time...
Fine Arts for Kids - great for including art, music and some history.
MadLibs - lots of fun for all ages, these have had us laughing our heads off!
Quick Tips for Implementing Morning Time Successfully
Combine as many things together as you can. For example, read a story about a musician (art), while the children play with tangrams or pattern blocks (maths). Or read a story set in World War II (literature and history), while the children paint (fine arts) or play lego (technology) or knit (art or technology).
Keep it consistent and simple, but flexible—adapt activities to suit your family’s mood and interests.
Involve your child in choosing activities to keep them engaged and excited.
Don’t strive for perfection; focus on connection and enjoyment.
Always have small toys available to keep little hands busy. It's best if these only come out at morning time so the children don't get sick of them. Also, regularly rotate them to keep them interesting. Fidget toys, tangrams, lego, pattern blocks, wooden blocks or doll dress ups all work well.
Have everything handy so you don't loose momentum. A rolling cart or a large basket are great for morning time activities.
Start Your Own Morning Time Tradition!
When starting a new tradition of Morning Time start small. Gradually build your own unique Morning Time traditions. Grab a basket and throw in there all the books you really want to read. Gather some art supplies and plop them in there too. Find subjects that excite you and your children. Even pick something that you have always wanted to do - maybe crocheting? whittling? learn some new hymns? paint landscapes? calligraphy? If you choose something you are excited about, your excitement will be contagious.
Also, remember the main reason for Morning Time; to foster connection, introduce beauty, and start the day with goodness.
Click here to receive your very own free ebook with more examples and suggestions for morning time. You will receive free morning time planning sheets to help organise your own very special homeschool mornings!
