CHARLOTTE MASON KINDERGARTEN

LIVING BOOKS AND SUPPLIES FOR AGE 5

A Charlotte Mason Kindergarten is a very gentle introduction to school for children age 5. A CM Kindergarten will look at lot like Form 1, with many of the same subjects, but all work should be optional. Children should not begin formal lessons until the age of 6. There is still much to be gained in long hours of free play and snuggling up for stories. Please see the Preschool page for more information on the Value of Play and the Value of Stories.

For more information about planning your CM Kindergarten, see the Preschool/Kindergarten CM Your Way Form Guide. It has everything you need to plan a gentle introduction to learning for your little one.

Or, for more information about Forms in general, see Understanding Forms in a Charlotte Mason Education.

Please use the religious texts applicable to your family’s faith and denomination. 

If you are not a religious family, see World Religions & Philosophies below.

World Religions & Philosophies

If you are not a religious family, I recommend waiting until Form 2 to introduce World Religions. Until then, I would add more fables and simple picture books like the ones below, or simply omit this subject. See Form 2 for book suggestions regarding World Religions.

Picture Books

Beatrix Potter stories are wonderful but you can also use them in Form 1B (see Form 1 Literature)

Folk Tales

Paul Galdone’s series of Folk Tales is wonderful

Poetry

Chapter Books to Read-Aloud

Fun Stuff

6.5

Peter Rabbit

Benjamin Bunny

Benjamin Bunny

Peter Rabbit Porcelain Tea Set in Box with Handle
10
Flopsy

Flopsy Bunny

Squirrel Nutkin

Beatrix Potter Collection

Jemima Puddle Duck

Jemima Puddle-Duck

Mrs. Tiggy WInkle

Mr. Jeremy Fisher

Pooh

Tigger

Eeyore

Piglet

Pooh Friends Set

History through Stories

There are so many ways to approach history in the younger years! Here are some suggestions:

  • You could read short, individual biographies for an early introduction to history.
  • You could use picture book biographies.
  • Or use picture books to study some historical (or fun) events!
  • Or you could start with your country’s folklore.

Whatever you choose, have fun and keep the readings short!

Chapter Book Biographies

History through Picture Book Biographies

This series of Picture Book Biographies by David Adler is very enjoyable.
Search for more titles in the series. 

Historical Events through Picture Books

These are some of the historical picture books – of both serious and fun events – that we enjoyed when my children were younger. 

American Folklore

Supplies and Other Fun Stuff for Geography

Globe

Wall Maps

Placemats

Puzzles

Wooden Puzzle Maps

Zoobooks are a favorite at out house

The “One Small Square” series is excellent

Any book by Gail Gibbons is a great book!

My daughter loves the Magic School Bus series!

FIELD GUIDES
The Field Guides for Young Naturalists series has great beginner field guides

Stokes Beginner’s Field Guides are also a good choice for children

Science Supplies for You and Your Kindergartener

Supplies and fun things for you and your student!

Discover Reading uses the Charlotte Mason method for teaching reading

I used this book to teach both my children to read

Wonderful literature-based approach to reading

Fun Things for Learning to Read!

Living Books for Beginner Readers

Billy & Blaze Series

Syd Hoff books

Frog & Toad Series

Other Arnold Lobel books

Harry the Dirty Dog Series

Millicent Selsam books

Bernard Waber books

Let’s Read and Find Out Science Series

Kevin Henkes books

Little Bear Series

Esther Averill books

P.D. Eastman books

More options coming soon…

I HIGHLY recommend ROOTED CHILDHOOD by my friend and fellow CM mama, Meghann Dibrell.

She has created a lovely monthly download that features handicrafts, poems, songs, and recipes to share with your little one. A great introduction to several CM subjects!

Use the coupon code CMPLENARY10 to get 10% off!

Handicraft Supplies

Supplies and fun things for you and your Kindergartner!

P.E. Supplies for You and Your Student

These are all items that my children have used for exercise fun.

Also see “Adventure Play” on the Preschool Page

Have fun singing together! Many children’s songs are based on folk songs. Here are some music suggestions that my kids loved when they were little. I have so many fond memories of singing these songs together!

Also see the “For Parents” tab under this subject for more resources.

Start with fun music that goes with a story. Here are some suggestions:

Maestro Classics is an excellent series 

Picture Books about Music

The Story of the Orchestra Series has lovely picture books for many musical scores but the music clips are too short. You will want to supplement with longer pieces of music. 

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