Homeschooling can be filled with beautiful moments, but let’s be real — it can also be chaotic, especially when mornings feel rushed and scattered. If your homeschool mornings are a struggle, there’s a powerful yet simple solution that can transform your entire day: morning time. This Charlotte Mason-inspired practice brings everyone together in a peaceful, joyful start, setting the tone for a more productive and meaningful homeschool experience.
What is Morning Time?
Morning time is a short, intentional period at the beginning of the homeschool day where the family gathers to focus on activities that nourish the mind and heart. It’s a chance to set aside core academic subjects for a while and center around beautiful, enriching topics that Charlotte Mason emphasized, such as art, music, poetry, and scripture.
With a morning time routine, you’ll create a sense of calm and connection, while also preparing children’s brains for learning. As Charlotte Mason said, “Education is an atmosphere, a discipline, and a life.” Morning time captures all three by creating a warm homeschool atmosphere, instilling positive habits, and infusing life-giving ideas into your day.
Why Morning Time Matters in Homeschooling
Starting the day with a calm, joyful practice instead of jumping straight into challenging subjects sets everyone up for success. Here’s why morning time is a game-changer for homeschool families:
- Creates a Routine: Morning time is a familiar anchor in your day that brings structure, making it easier for kids to transition from home mode to school mode.
- Reduces Stress: By focusing on connection and beauty first, morning time calms everyone, creating a positive and open mindset for the day ahead.
- Builds Strong Family Bonds: Morning time brings the family together, reinforcing a sense of community and shared purpose.
- Enhances Focus and Memory: Engaging in activities like music, poetry, and art appreciation stimulates the brain and enhances memory and cognitive function.
- Promotes a Love of Learning: By starting with subjects that spark curiosity, morning time helps kids feel excited and ready to learn.
How to Start Morning Time in Your Homeschool
If you’re new to morning time, keep it simple! It doesn’t need to be long or complex. In fact, a realistic morning time often lasts around 20–30 minutes. Here’s a step-by-step guide to setting up a morning time routine for your homeschool:
- Choose Your Focus Areas
Morning time is versatile, allowing you to customize it to suit your family’s needs. Here are some classic Charlotte Mason subjects to consider:- Bible Reading: Start with a short devotional, prayer, or Bible verse to ground everyone in truth.
- Singing: Charlotte Mason encouraged hymns, folk songs, or seasonal tunes. Singing releases endorphins, improves memory, and brings joy to the day.
- Picture Study: Choose one artist per term, displaying one painting at a time. Encourage your children to observe the details and describe what they see.
- Composer Study: Select a composer each term and listen to a piece of their music weekly. This practice cultivates an appreciation for classical music.
- Poetry: Pick a poet each term and read a poem aloud. Poetry stimulates imagination and enriches language skills.
- Read Aloud: A short story, fable, or family-friendly novel can be a wonderful way to bond and inspire deep conversations.
- Keep It Short and Sweet
Don’t feel the need to cover everything every day. Rotate subjects throughout the week, so morning time stays manageable. For example, one day might include Bible reading and poetry, while another day features picture study and a read-aloud. - Be Consistent
The power of morning time comes from consistency. By making it a regular part of your homeschool, your children will start to look forward to this special time. - Limit Distractions
Choose a quiet, comfortable spot for morning time, and make sure distractions are minimized. Turn off electronics, clear the table, and create an environment conducive to focus and connection. - Adapt for Your Family
Morning time doesn’t have to look the same for everyone. Customize it to reflect your family’s interests, faith, and priorities. Whether you’re adding seasonal songs or studying favorite composers, make morning time a joyful experience that everyone can enjoy.
The Brain Benefits of Morning Time
Research supports that starting the day with creative and mindful activities is beneficial for cognitive and emotional health. Here’s what morning time can do for your child’s brain:
- Improves Memory: Activities like singing and listening to classical music enhance memory retention, helping children retain information throughout the day.
- Encourages Calmness: Listening to soothing music or poetry reduces stress hormones, creating a calm and focused mindset.
- Develops Observation Skills: Picture study helps children hone observation skills, which are vital in subjects like science, reading, and art.
- Strengthens Emotional Connections: Reading aloud releases oxytocin, the bonding hormone, which fosters a strong family connection and empathy.
Morning Time Changed Our Homeschool
Before implementing morning time, our homeschool mornings felt hectic and unfocused. By adding a short, intentional time of gathering, we found that mornings became more peaceful, productive, and joyful. Morning time became something we all looked forward to. Instead of struggling to transition into the day, we now enjoy this special time to connect, share, and learn together.
Free Resource to Get Started: Times of Togetherness Morning Time Packet
Ready to add morning time to your homeschool? I’ve created a free Times of Togetherness packet with four weeks of morning time plans focused on family connection. It includes everything you need to start this beautiful practice in your homeschool, from art and composer selections to simple poetry and seasonal ideas. Get your free guide HERE!
Final Thoughts
Morning time is more than a homeschool routine; it’s a way to bring peace, connection, and purpose to the start of each day. By gathering your family together for these nourishing subjects, you’re not only preparing them for learning but also filling their minds with what is true, good, and beautiful. Morning time is a gift you can give your family, creating memories and habits that will last a lifetime.
As Charlotte Mason said, “Life should be all living, not a mere tedious passing of time.” Morning time allows us to truly savor the feast of homeschooling.
Start small, keep it simple, and watch how morning time transforms your homeschool mornings!
Want to know more about Morning Time? Check out this episode of The Feast Life
