CHARLOTTE MASON PRESCHOOL
LIVING BOOKS AND SUPPLIES FOR YOUR LITTLE ONES AGES 3-4
A Charlotte Mason Preschool is a very gentle introduction to learning for little ones ages 3-4. The main focus will be learning through play. Children should not begin formal lessons until the age of 6.
For more information about planning your CM Preschool, 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.
THE VALUE OF STORIES
“Let them have tales of the imagination, scenes laid in other lands and other times, heroic adventures, hairbreadth escapes, delicious fairy tales in which they are never roughly pulled up by the impossible – even where all is impossible, and they know it, and yet believe.” -Charlotte Mason, Home Education
For a complete description of the categories below and how to implement them, please see the Preschool/Kindergarten CM Your Way Curriculum Form Guide.
Fables & Fairy Tales
Fables & Fairy Tales for Your Preschooler (Ages 3-4)
Paul Galdone’s series of Folk Tales is wonderful
Picture Books of Literary Quality
The Nutshell Library by Maurice Sendak was a favorite in our house
MP3 Songs of the Nutshell Library Books
DVD of the Nutshell Library Books
Books by Leo Lionni
Uncle Wiggly was a favorite at our house!
We loved Harold and the Purple Crayon Books
Harold and the Purple Crayon DVD Series on Streaming Video
Animal Stories
More options coming soon…
Beginner Alphabet & Word Books
ALPHABET & WORD BOOKS
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom was a favorite in our house
ALPHABET LEARNING TOYS
Leap Frog Fridge Alphabet & Phonics
Wooden Alphabet Set
THE VALUE OF PLAY
“The chief function of the child – his business in the world during the first six or seven years of his life – is to find out all he can, about whatever comes under his notice, by means of his five senses; that he has an insatiable appetite for knowledge got in this way; and that, therefore, the endeavor of his parents should be to put him in the way of making acquaintance freely with Nature and natural objects.” -Charlotte Mason, Home Education
For a complete description of the categories below and how to implement them, please see the Preschool/Kindergarten CM Your Way Curriculum Form Guide.
Adventure Play
You really don’t need much for this category if you have access to a nature area and a playground, but here are some ideas that might help get you started. The goal of “adventure play” is to build gross motor skills.
We used most of these toys at some point in my children’s younger years (and are still using some of them!) And we enjoyed having a few of the inside items for when the weather wasn’t ideal for being out-of-doors.
JUMPING & CLIMBING
The Learning Tower was used constantly in our home. It not only helped in the kitchen, but it also served as an indoor climbing structure.
It lasted through 8 years of constant use and we passed it on to another family after that! Plus they now have lots of fun accessories to go with it!
We love our mini-trampoline! Look for an adult rebounder if you want to use it for yourself!
PEDALING & BALANCING
My 12 year old STILL uses this balance toy!
Both my kids had a balance bike
Light-weight balance bike
Balance board
Wooden Balance board
Balance and twist board
We loved this balance beam because it’s natural wood and it’s adjustable
SWINGING
Hugglepod swinging tent
PUSHING & PULLING
Creative Play
Creative play builds fine motor skills and the imagination.
PAINTING & DRAWING
Mixed Media or Watercolor Paper are both good for painting
BUILDING & CONSTRUCTION
Wooden Blocks
Duplo Bricks
Oh my goodness, we love Zimbbos! Great for just stacking & building, but also great for learning numbers, following directions, and taking turns.
Tangrams
Classic Lincoln Logs
IMAGINATIVE PLAY
Hand Puppets
Butterfly Wings Dress-Up
Dinosaur Cape
Play Silks
Mathematical Play
Math play at this age focuses on sorting and counting. You can sort and count almost anything – just look around the house or yard to see what you have. Here are some ideas to get you started:
SORTING & COUNTING
Oh my goodness, we love Zimbbos! It’s a great game for learning numbers, following directions, and taking turns. Much loved at our house!
Tangrams
Sorting & Counting Bears
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We loved Team UmiZoomi!
NUMBER BOOKS
Play with Natural Materials
You don’t have to spend a lot to give your child the things necessary for this category. Here are some ideas:
SAND & WATER PLAY
Most items for sand and water play can be found in nature. Digging, burying, excavating in sand or dirt; + sink / float expriments in water are wonderful ways for your preschool child to discover the world around him.
A shallow tub or sink is all you need for water play, bubbles, and sink / float experiments
A shallow tub can be used for sand play as well, or you can invest in a larger sandbox
A raised sand or water table is handy and fun1
PLAY WITH PLIABLE MATERIALS
All-Natural Play Dough
Putty
Learning Games & Other Play
Board games, matching games, bingo – all help to develop observation, attention, and following instructions. We had a lot of fun with the games listed here. I hope you will too!
I’ll say it again – we love Zimbbos! It’s a great game for learning numbers, following directions, and taking turns.
We love all things Richard Scarry and Busytown!
We love Wildcraft and the company behind it!
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