When you hear the words “morning menu,” do you think of homeschool, or do you picture breakfast at Keke’s? … Yeah, I hear waffles too. But a morning menu is actually a fantastic tool to establish a daily rhythm, especially for my toddler who is now gathering the concept of self, understanding routines, and developing early learning skills.
The concept of a morning menu comes from Charlotte Mason practices. It’s a simple way to help children reconnect with themselves and their natural environment. Morning menus are typically structured with various categories that promote self-awareness and learning.
Remember: Intention thrives greatly when separating from screens and indoor environments; this is why spending time outdoors can significantly impact a child’s life.
Using morning menus can help parents and homeschool parents feel more confident and prepared for the day. By providing a structured routine, it is proven to feel less overwhelmed and more in control of their (homeschooling) environment.
Morning Menus Include Different Categories of Structure, But A Majority & Ours Include:
5 Cover Pages
Day of the Week
Calendar Month
Weather Tracker
About Me Page
Feelings
Feelings With Affirmations
Affirmations
Morning menus can be presented in various styles:
- Restaurant-Style Menu Holders: Durable and easy to clean.
- Binders or Folders with Sheet Protectors: Practical for using dry-erase crayons, allowing children to correct mistakes easily.
Different Themed Morning Menus
There are many different themed morning menus available! I have a few that are nature-themed, simple-themed, En Espanol, Halloween-Themed, Valentine ‘s-themed, Christmas-themed, Rustic Cover Pages and so much more!
At What Age Can My Child Start Using a Morning Menu?
Morning menus can be adapted for various age groups, making them suitable for children as young as toddlers. For toddlers and preschoolers, the activities can be simple and focused on basic concepts like identifying the weather, recognizing their own name, and expressing how they feel.
As children grow into school age, the menus can include more complex tasks such as writing affirmations, gratitude letters, and engaging in educational activities. Older children can benefit from morning menus by incorporating detailed planning, self-reflection, and goal-setting activities. The key is to tailor the content to the developmental stage of the child, ensuring it remains engaging and beneficial.
How Long Should My Child Spend On The Morning Menu Each Day?
The time spent on the morning menu can vary depending on your child’s age and attention span. Typically, spending 10-20 minutes each morning is sufficient to complete the activities and set a positive tone for the day.
When and How to Use a Morning Menu
To effectively use morning menus, incorporate them into your daily routine, ideally during breakfast or as the first activity of the day. This way, they can set a positive and focused tone for the entire homeschooling session. Consider using morning menus as part of a morning basket, which is a collection of engaging activities and learning tools designed to start the day on a high note. By integrating morning menus into your homeschooling practices, you can create a more structured and enjoyable learning experience for your child.
Adapting Morning Menus into Morning Baskets
Morning menus can be seamlessly integrated into morning baskets, which are collections of books, activities, and learning tools designed to start the day with intentionality and focus. By including a morning menu in your morning basket, you create a structured yet flexible routine that enhances your child’s learning experience and fosters a positive start to their day. If you’re interested in EVERYTHING you need to know to create a morning basket for a more peaceful morning for you and your little, click here to download your guide today!
What Our Christmas Themed Morning Menus Include
This Christmas-themed morning menu includes sing-a-longs like “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” and “Jingle Bells,” activities to find Santa’s pair, trace the shapes on the snowflake, and self-aware gratitude letters to Santa Claus. It’s filled with many more intentional learning activities that stimulate both the mind and heart.
Where To Find A Christmas Themed December Menu
Create a beautiful morning routine for your children that sets a peaceful rhythm for their day. Find this exciting Christmas morning menu digital print, now on sale before December, on my Store or Etsy shop.
If you have any special requests or need minimal customizations, feel free to reach out. These are digital prints only and are highly recommended for intentional learning and establishing a school rhythm.
