CM Schedules for a 4 1/2 year old

Heather, I don’t think there are many daily CM schedules for 4 year olds since the CM way is to not do formal lessons until age 6 or 7. Are you talking about the “flow and rhythm” of the day?

In that case, a typical day in our house with 4 year olds (we’ve had 2 and the third one will be there shortly) is essentially broken down into blocks of time between meals. What I mean by this is that we use mealtime as a natural transition from one thing to the next. It sounds pretty “no duh” to you probably, but we have decided to make it as intentional as possible. These blocks of time are the framework, but I think it’s important to keep the activities very flexible at 4 years old.

For example:

From breakfast to mid-morn snack we might play games geared toward phonics or math basics (lotto, memory, cards) then build block castles while I read aloud. On days, like now, when it is too hot to go outside during mid-day we go on walks, go to a park/playground or garden during these earlier, cooler hours.

From mid-morn snack to lunchtime we usually do arts or crafts which consists of coloring, play clay, collages, watercolors, beading, etc. I only plan a special craft once a week or so because they take more preparation. We do this while either listening to classical music or stories on CD.

From lunch to afternoon snack(when it’s hottest) we read books together, maybe get some wiggles out by dancing around the house to whatever music strikes our fancy(what must the neighbors think)! Play instruments. We love to get out the big floor puzzles and board games, too.

From afternoon snack to dinner I try to get them outside some more, swimming in the kiddie pool, making a mud hole and coloring on the back patio with chalk. Then they get cleaned up and “help” me make dinner. This takes more work and patience, but it is rewarding in so many ways, as I’m sure you know! Measuring, mixing, pouring are all great skills to practice and I know that when my kids make the food they will eat it! Also, it’s great just to talk together while making food, you might be surprised how much a child can learn over one meal preparation! One day, my son learned about the anatomy of a turkey, asked what a carrot really is(root vegetable discussion) and discovered how yeast makes bread rise all in one meal. I grew up in a restaurant family and I have many fond memories of kitchen time with my mom.

Obviously, after dinner we do baths and lots of stories. Such a nice, quiet ending to the day (usually):)

So those are some of the typical daily things I have done with my 4 year olds, the activities vary with seasons and interests, but the basic daily rhythm remains centered around our meals together (I admit I got this idea in essence from “For the Family’s Sake” by Susan Schaeffer Macaulay, chapter 8: The Infrastructure of Routine). Essentially, I try to stick to my basic goals throughout each section of the day, no matter what we are doing:

1) Instill good habits

2) Inspire a love of learning

I have found that if I keep these 2 principles set before me then I feel more satisfied at the end of the day. If I keep a minute-by-minute to-do routine before me then I am more likely to feel burnt out and stressed!

So there you go, my thoughts, take ’em or leave ’em:)

Best wishes!

Mamasong