Five Ways to Savor the Preschool Years
Five Ways to Savor the Preschool Years
“In this time of extraordinary pressure, educational and social, perhaps a mother's first duty to her children is to secure for them a quiet and growing time, a full six years of passive receptive life, the waking part of it for the most part spent out in the fresh air.”
-Charlotte Mason
The quiet growing time is a time for our littles to learn and grow without a rigorous formal education but instead it offers opportunities for them to learn, discover, and explore freely as they grow.
The preschool homeschool years are a time to encourage outdoor exploration, work on small and large motor skills, and a gentle start to an introduction to learning.
As parents and home educators this is our opportunity to help our young children to develop a love of lifelong learning so that, in the years to come, they will anticipate this time together with joy and eagerness.
But it’s also a weary time, full of work and distraction. Here are some ideas for helping you savor it.
Simplify Meals
Have a rotation of five meals or meal types and use the crockpot or instant pot so you don’t have to use precious brainpower thinking up meals. We often do Monday-Burrito Bowls, Tuesday-Asian Stir Fry, Wednesday-Soup or Salad, Thursday-Meat Loaf or Pasta, Friday-Barbecue or Roast Meat, and Potatoes.
Simplify Toys
Fewer toys equals more engagement and enjoyment of the toys they have and a lot less fuss over clean-up. Box up excess toys and give them away or simply put them in a closet for toy rotation.
Simplify Chores
Grab our Chore and Routine Pack to give young children a visual reminder of their daily habits, and start teaching them one habit at a time consistently.
Get Enough Sleep
It can be tempting to try and get more stuff done while the baby naps or during early bedtime, but if you aren’t well-rested you won’t have the patience you need to respond kindly when children are fussy. Take naps, go to bed when your kids go to bed, and take a bedtime multivitamin so you can savor this season.
Get Help
When I had my fourth and fifth babies I had a homeschool teen come stay with us for a week so that I could focus on the baby, while she helped out with the house.
It was a huge gift to me and my newborn to have this time of bonding, especially because my husband was self-employed and couldn’t be there for a nice long paternity leave. I also hired a housekeeper every two weeks just so that I could rely on clean bathrooms at least some of the time. I didn’t always have the resources for help when I was raising my young children, but it was a huge sanity saver when I did.
Teach Independent Living Skills with our Chore and Routine Pack
Activities for Preschool
Here at the Peaceful Press, our desire is to come alongside you and your littles in the early years of homeschooling with The Peaceful Preschool
We offer daily lesson plans in the Peaceful Preschool and Peaceful Preschool Volume 2 that can help you bond with your children, teach them valuable practical skills, and nurture good habits in these precious early years.
We also offer supplements that can help you nurture learning in a playful, developmentally appropriate way.
Would you love monthly mentoring from Peaceful Press founder Jennifer Pepito and a community of wise and intentional mamas to grow with?
The Restoration Home Community will help with quick and easy lessons for your young children, weekly virtue practices, monthly book clubs, a yearly retreat and more to nurture peaceful homes.
Commonly Asked Questions About the Quiet Growing Time
1. What does “a quiet growing time” mean?
Charlotte Mason described the early years as a time for gentle growth—a season for children to explore, play, and learn through living, rather than formal lessons. It’s about giving our littles the freedom to discover at their own pace, surrounded by beauty, nature, and family connection.
2. When should I begin formal homeschooling?
Most families using The Peaceful Press begin formal lessons around age six, but before that, the focus should be on connection, play, and nurturing curiosity. The preschool years are for preparing the heart and habits—not racing ahead academically.
3. What kinds of activities are best for preschoolers?
Simple, hands-on activities are ideal—baking, nature walks, reading aloud, water play, painting, and learning practical life skills. Our Peaceful Preschool and Peaceful Preschool Volume 2 offer daily lesson plans that naturally weave learning into everyday life.
4. How can I simplify life during this busy season?
Focus on rhythm over routine. Simplify meals by rotating a few family favorites, limit toys to encourage creativity, and teach simple chores using our Chore and Routine Pack. These small changes create more peace and margin in your day.
5. What if I feel too tired or overwhelmed to keep up?
You are not alone—these years are full and often exhausting. Prioritize rest when you can, accept help when offered, and let go of perfection. Even short, meaningful moments of connection—reading together, cuddling, or exploring outdoors—build strong foundations for learning.
6. How can I nurture my child’s love for learning early on?
Model curiosity and delight. Read beautiful books aloud, spend time outdoors, and include your children in daily life. Gentle exposure to letters, numbers, and nature through play and stories will prepare them far better than rigid lessons.
7. Can I really teach my young children at home?
Absolutely! The preschool years are a wonderful time to begin homeschooling in a natural, relational way. The Peaceful Press provides simple guides and supportive communities to help you feel confident and equipped to begin.
8. Where can I find community and support as a homeschooling mom?
The Restoration Home Community offers monthly mentoring with Jennifer Pepito, weekly virtues, book clubs, and a warm circle of intentional mothers who are walking this same journey. It’s a beautiful place to find encouragement and grow together.