I wrote a preschool curriculum! And it’s available for purchase! But how did I get to this point? Why did I pursue this ambition? What is the story behind A Joy-Filled Journey Through Preschool?
I’d like to rewind the clock a few years and describe what life was like when my first-born was nearly 3 years old.
Josiah loved to be read to. His favorite books were books about vehicles. He often could be found wearing a costume playing in character and usually anyone with him had an assigned role too. He had a budding interest of things in nature and loved to be outdoors.
At this time I had ambitions of implementing various age-appropriate learning activities with him. Nothing serious- a sensory bin here, a read loud there, a retelling of a story together with props and/or costumes, etc. Despite my best intentions, they didn’t take priority in our home. With a baby sister underfoot I found most of my time was spent caring for her needs and maintaining the order of the house, even if my intentions were otherwise. I followed my to-do list but didn’t follow my preschooler’s lead in spreading a feast of learning before him. If only these activities made it to my to-do list then maybe I’d make time for them in my day.
That’s when I saw the need for a preschool curriculum. I felt having a curriculum might bring more purpose to my parenting. Josiah was ready for more structure in our days. I was too- a structure that would breath life into our monotonous routine of laundry, nurse, meal-prep, dishes, nurse, laundry…
So I went on the search for a preschool curriculum that could assist me in being more intentional in the time I spent at home with my kids. After scouring the Internet and consulting parents I knew, I sampled or purchased 3 separate curriculums. They all had appealing components and positive features. However, none of them fit our family lifestyle and my goals.
- This one required us to be at a table more than what I felt was necessary.
- That one required too many supplies.
- One was not organized enough for me.
- Another took too much prep time.
- Some didn’t have enough play.
- One was just. plain. expensive.
I decided to take what I liked from each of them and make my own schedule of activities. Still I found we were spending our days indoors more than I cared to so I began adding a nature component. I spent naptimes writing these plans and I realized I was building my own curriculum.
I began applying knowledge I’d learned in my courses when I earned a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education. I spent time reading books on preschool learning and articles on research-based practices. No longer was I tweaking something to make it work, but I began passionately building something that I loved- while meeting the requirements I had been searching for to begin with.
I wanted a curriculum that:
- was simple
- wouldn’t take a lot out of me
- centered on building relationships
- helped me meaningfully engage with my kids
- contained lots and lots of play
- laid a foundation for future learning
Now I was armed with that curriculum and when Josiah turned 3 I eagerly began to implement our plans. I was ready to expose him to living, quality literature and leave behind the books about vehicles he was so attached to. I was ready to broaden his affections beyond cars and trucks to nearby creatures found in nature and faraway places in our world.
We began to have a delightful time together and it wasn’t long before baby sister started joining in. As I noticed flaws in the plans I made changes, knowing I would want to repeat this course the following year. As I interacted with other moms of preschoolers I couldn’t keep quiet about how we were spending our days and soon I was sharing my plans with others.
Then an idea hit me to share them with more than just close friends. Perhaps this could be a way I could help provide for our family and thus continue on the path of home education. That’s when A Joy-Filled Journey Through Preschool was born.
I don’t claim this is a flawless program or that it is a perfect fit for everyone. But I’ve walked on this journey before (twice now) and I know it’s full of joy.
It’s August now. “School” is starting again, and once again we will be going on a journey through preschool- this time with 5-year-old Josiah, his 3-year-old sister and an observing baby brother. What about you? Do you need a plan to help you add more purpose to your parenting? Won’t you join us this year on A Joy-Filled Journey Through Preschool?