Our Preschool Morning Basket creates a clutter free way to keep the things we use daily to get our day started. Morning time each day has become a significant routine in our day.
Why I started a Preschool Morning Basket
I started our Preschool Morning Basket routine in the middle of the year 2020. Our routine had changed and without many activities on the calendar, I found myself leaning heavily on the TV for shows and movies to keep my little one busy. The hardest part about leaning on digital entertainment, for our family, was the transition away from them was hard. In a way, my 2 year old was getting sucked in to the latest episode of If You Give a Mouse of Cookie. Breaking him free from it to go outside or to play together would usually result in a meltdown or full day of television.
While it is no secret that the year 2020 was a big change for everyone, I knew I didn’t want this routine or lack thereof to become our normal. It was then that I started to plan activities with my toddler to keep him busy or creative.
Why I do a Morning Basket with our 4 Year Old
Now, 2 years later, we still have a morning basket routine that gets our day going. Some days of course are easier or more involved than others, but the main foundation is laid. We use every morning with intention, almost as if it is the rudder for our day.
In the book Morning Time, A Liturgy of Love, the author Cindy Rollins puts it like this, “What is Morning Time? It is capturing the hours of your day before they flit away. It is making sure the most beautiful things happen first. It is impossible to regret it.”
What is inside our Preschool Morning Basket
Because I like to use our morning basket as a time to find peace, joy, and connect as a family, the foundation of our morning time together is time with God. Each day looks different and each week looks different as we use the time to learn about different subjects my child is interested in. However, the foundation of God, His Word, and His Promises is consistent.
I also have a blog post on how to start a morning basket here!
The Best Bible for Kids
Inside our morning basket you will find our favorite children’s bible, Jesus Storybook Bible. I purchased it from Thrift Books secondhand. (Sign up here and get a free book when you spend $30) We have had several children’s Bibles over the past few years and this Bible is my favorite. I love the story telling and each story is brought back to the bigger picture of God’s “rescue story”. The Bible is a story, not just a book of rules. This storybook Bible does an excellent job communicating that to children.
Morning Menu for Morning Time
I have a morning menu set up inside our morning basket. A morning menu is simply a restaurant style menu that I have set up to include sheets that we use daily in our morning routine. A tri-fold menu includes a memory verse that I change out each month for us to memorize. I have included a weather report document that allows my son to use a dry erase marker to observe and record the weather each day. I tend to rotate out various sheets depending on his learning. Currently I have an Names of God ABCs sheet from Stories Begin at Home and a name tracing sheet so he can practice wiring his name with a dry erase pen each day.
The Best Supplies for a Preschool Morning Basket
Inside our preschool morning basket you will find a bucket of markers, scissors, and dry erase marker. All of which are used for various printable worksheets and activities I set up each day.
I also think it is important to include a rotating fidget style object. My son loves to be busy, so sitting while I read generally means he is working with something in his hands. Play dough, mini finger puzzles, pop-it’s, etc. All of these items keep him gently moving while listening to whatever it is that I am reading.
Here is an Amazon List of things that I love for our preschool learning at home!
Books for Morning Baskets
Each month we move in to a different theme for our learning. While this is not necessary for any preschool at home, we enjoy the ability to get creative and learn about new things my son is interested in. Whatever the theme is for the month, I will rotate in a new book that covers the general theme. If it is weather, I will choose an “all about weather” style book. If the theme is nature, I love to include Nature Anatomy. I have found a book with multiple topics is great when he has a specific question about the theme.
You could also include a book of art or a book of poetry. Museum style books are great for this! Check your local library or a used book store. Check Thrift Books, one of my favorite places for books, for used books to include. Use this link to sign up for ReadingRewards and you will receive a free book when you spend $30 in books.
Why I Love Our Morning Basket
I love our morning basket because it keeps everything in one spot. It is simple to get out each night before I go to bed and easy to put away when it is time. I am not looking for a pair of scissors for our preschool cutting activity or markers to color our latest printable. The basics are all right there for him to use.
The second reason I love our preschool morning basket is because it has become a routine. Sure at first my son was just a scribbling 2 year old, but over the years the routine has helped us stay connected. There have been times where life has pulled us away from morning baskets and the chaos in our day reflects the lack of setting the tone each morning. Even if I don’t have a specific activity or craft prepped, the morning basket holds the basics to get the day started with connection. We are sure to read a devotion or story from our Bible.
How to Start a Morning Basket for Preschool
I wrote a post specifically on how to start a Morning Basket. You can visit it here.
There it is, the basics for a preschool morning basket. The basket doesn’t need to be fancy, check your local thrift store or your house for a basket that is suitable. Ideally you want a basket that is sturdy enough for books. Starting is simple, have little expectations around the morning basket. Just start by setting it out each night and looking at it each morning. At first, your little one might have zero interest in it. That is okay. It is the routine you are starting that matters. Soon you will find things that interest him or her. Soon you will be in a rhythm that works well for your family and for your home.
For ideas and inspiration, follow me on Instagram Our Faith Filled Home where I share our morning basket and activities often! You can also visit my activity archives here on my blog here.
