Kindergarten Homeschool Catechism Lesson: God Created The World
Homeschooling young children 6 years and below can be quite daunting for a first time homeschooler. But since your children are not yet in their formal homeschooling ages yet (see Charlotte Mason's take on this), it is best to take it slow and enjoy these quiet years. If you have more than 1 child, this lesson can be done all throughout the week or weeks with all your younger children including the baby.
Read-A-Louds
Start by reading the Story of Creation. If you have a good Children's Bible with you, you may snuggle on the couch and read with your little one(s). Here are some suggestions for a good Children's Bible from Catholic Icing. Our family used The Jesus Storybook Bible when our son was in the early years of homeschooling.
Our favorites are:
After reading, you may or may not jump right in on an arts and crafts activity. Most young children love to sing and dance, and its a fun way to get those wiggles out after sitting down to listen to a story.
Here's where you can find read-a-louds to watch:
The Jesus Storybook Bible - In The Beginning: A Perfect Home
God's Very Colorful Creation: Read by Tim Thornborough
And if you are a Formed.org subscriber, here's a video you can watch (ages 4 and up).
The Animated Bible Series 1: The Creation
Music and Movement
As much as possible, I personally try not to use YouTube videos so the children can be more creative in doing the actions of the song. This also helps you, have or keep that connection with your child. Hold hands while jumping or look into each others eyes and imitate each other. Copying the movements of your child when singing and dancing helps build confidence. It makes them feel valued and important.
This is a playlist I put together for my online Catechism classes. You may use other songs and videos to do music and movement with your children. And, do it as often as you can.
God Made The World And Me - Spotify
Early Childhood Worship - The Creation Story - YouTube
Nature Walks
What better way to experience God's love than to be with His creation. Take your child for a nature walks at least once a week. Since there is no formal education yet in the early years, allow them to just explore and enjoy what they see, hear, feel, smell or even taste! Point out some of God's creations, you may say, "Hello trees!" or "Hello grass!" like in the Jesus Storybook Bible.
Take home a few leaves and flowers you picked along the way and place it in a box for further exploration.
Arts and Crafts
You can do arts and crafts activities with your children all week if you or they are up to it. Some children love to cut and paste, or color and paint, but some prefer role play, or small world play.
But whatever the activity, as long as it allows your child to explore and learn about God and be curious of His creations, then its worth the planning and execution.
There are lots of arts and crafts activities on the internet for toddlers. I have gathered some of my favorites here.
Creation Story Paper Bag Book for Toddlers
Creation Activities from Preschool Creations
8 Simple Sunday School Crafts from Blessings Overflowing
Coloring Pages and Other Activities
If your children love to color and paint, here are a few resources where you can download free coloring pages.
FREE Days of Creation Coloring Pages from Everything is Grace
Days of Creation Coloring Pages from Christian Preschool Printables
Free Coloring Pages About Creation from Everyday Christianity
Other resources you might want to check out:
https://catholicblogger1.blogspot.com/2010/09/a-to-z-bible-story-lesson-letter-c.html
https://www.purposefulmotherhood.com/charlotte-mason-formal-lessons/
https://www.naeyc.org/our-work/families/explore-great-outdoors
https://simplycharlottemason.com/blog/nature-study-in-a-nutshell/
I hope this help you and your family in your homeschool journey. Let me know how the lesson went in the comments. If you know a family who might need ideas and resources for teaching Catechism and homeschooling little ones, please share this blog post.
God bless you.
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