Why is it that teaching a child to read feels so intimidating and serious? Probably because it is THE most important part of their education. No pressure. But if learning is most effective when done through play, we might be most effective in reading instruction if we make it playful and fun!

Learning through experience can be a very powerful thing. We can read about something and think about it in theory, but until we see it in action or try something for ourselves, it can feel like just distant ideas. Using our hands and experimenting leads us toward deeper understanding.

In our homeschool, we prioritize the use of story as a teaching tool. We can learn through story in pretty much any subject! But there is no better way to learn history than through story and biographies. Beautiful Feet Books has an Early American Enrichment Pack that caught my eye to add to our studies of early America not only because they are beautifully written, but they are vitally important voices to include as we learn the hard history of our country.

We wanted traditions that would bring us together as a family - things that are the opposite of busy, stressful or feel like obligations. I think you might know what I mean when I say those words. We have all been there with certain traditions that feel like an expensive, chaotic whirlwind! We want to do it differently around here, but traditions can’t just be forced out of thin air.

For our first official year of homeschooling, we are using A Mind in the Light to guide us through Year 1 of a Charlotte Mason style education.

Here's a round-up of our resources for our first year of homeschooling with a Kindergartener!

What follows is a breakdown of what comes in the box, and my personal thoughts on each item. We got this for our oldest daughter when she turned 3, and we have all been enjoying the books and materials together for the past two years. We enjoy the curriculum and plan to use it again with our second child.