By Kathryn Brunner, Founder of Musik at Home, LLC
Deep down inside, what I want for my children is a beautifully enriched, playful childhood.
I want their learning to be meaningful, but not overwhelming to them.
As a homeschooling mom, I want to be intentional with my approach. I desire to gently and lovingly guide my children into the knowledge of what is good, true and beautiful.
I also highly value a classical education for my children. It requires rigor and yet it provides space for children to digest and talk about what has been taught.
"A classical education is more than simply a pattern of learning, though. Classical education is language-focused; learning is accomplished through words, written and spoken..."
--Susan Wise Bauer
Last year, I came across an amazing curriculum called "Classical + Gentle Preschool Level 1" for ages 2-4 by Erin from LifeAbundantlyblog.com.
I jumped right in and incorporated it into my homeschool schedule with my 3 year old.
I was in awe of how the material flowed into everyday life. Here's what's included:
- --An abundance of open-ended play
- --Taking advantage of robust, sponge-like memories
- --A natural inclusion of intentional education throughout the day
- --A childhood drenched in the scents and sensations of nature
- --Living books that transport your little one into magical worlds
- --Hands-on experiences
- --Special bonding time with your little one as you explore the world together
I was also surprised by how easy it was to implement the material. For example, each weekly unit begins with teacher's notes to give ideas for how to present the material.
The actual unit material is presented in one single page with age appropriate skills in eight different subject categories. SO EASY!
It's enriching. It's playful. It's not overwhelming. I love it!
The subject areas include:
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--Scripture (short verses for little memories!)
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--Catechism + Character (definitions of character traits to memorize with simple tunes + Q&A about God)
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--Social Studies (exploring our family, our community, and American history- all those things closest to our homes)
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--Science (including amphibians, insects, birds, and animal communities for the first 13 Units then plant-life in the second 13 Units)
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--Math (identifying shapes and colors, counting to 30, skip-counting, subitizing, directionality, and more)
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--Language Arts (both nursery rhymes and a letter per unit)
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--Health + Safety + Life Skills (manners, hygiene, safety preparedness)
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--Fine + Gross Motor Skills
Do you need curriculum for Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten?
Erin has also now published a Gentle + Classical Level 2 curriculum for ages 4-6! Brand new in the summer of 2019!
And -- how crazy and fun is this?!?
At the same time I found Erin's curriculum, she also found my Musik at Home program.
As she began developing her follow on preschool curriculum for ages 4-6, Musik at Home seemed to fit perfectly with her mission. (It's no wonder I was so drawn to her program... it hit at the heart of my own educational philosophy for Musik at Home!).
Once Erin realized Musik at Home would round out the music education portion of her curriculum, she reached out to me and said:
"I'm so excited to begin your program with my boys! I'm interested in sharing it with my readers as the music education portion of The Gentle + Classical Preschool Level 2. We will do some classical composer study and learn the basic instruments, but I also believe that it's even more important to get their little bodies moving and engaged in music- learning terms like rhythm and beat."
I, of course, said YES! Music and movement is so good for littles! Find out more about Musik at Home classes here.
If you're a Musik at Home member, Erin's program could be the perfect fit for your sweet little to learn and grow both in music and in necessary life skills!
Here's what Erin says about Gentle + Classical Preschool Level 2 (Use code MAH10 to get $10 off!):
Pre-K and Kindergarten are fundamentally precious and sacred years in the early development of a child. The associations they make with early education and the affections they form at this tender age will walk with them throughout their lives. Education in the early years can be daunting, but it need not be!
Through a carefully curated selection of the best methodology that homeschooling has to offer, The Gentle + Classical Preschool Level 2 has been developed to empower, encourage, and advise you in creating a rich, wonder-filled, virtue-building, pre-K and kindergarten experience for your little one, from one Mama to another.
I hope you'll take a look at Erin's website here!
Here's what one of her satisfied parents had to say:
“My 6 year old will be 7 by the end of 2019, but I’ve still decided this is the perfect fit for him despite the ages listed. This is our first year incorporating Charlotte Mason’s methods. Other book lists, such as Ambleside Online and a Gentle Feast, felt too mature. This is the perfect primary for it! I just wanted to say that in case anyone else with a 6 year old is steering clear of it because of the ‘preschool’ label.”— Jenny E.
Are you ready to try some of Erin's resources to get a feel for her style?
Use code MAH10 to save $10 on the Gentle + Classical Preschool Curriculum. You can also download the curriculum GUIDE 100% free at www.GentleClassical.com (select preschool, level 2).
About Erin: Erin is a joy-chasing homeschool mama to 4 babies, ages 15 down to 2. She married her grade-school sweetheart 16 years ago, and lives to love him well. She writes about homeschooling, living by faith in the hard moments, and loving her family well at LifeAbundantlyBlog.com. She is the author of multiple early years programs at GentleClassical.com. 
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