Mater Amabilis™

Kindergarten Syllabus

Extract from Charlotte Mason’s Parents’ Union School Preparatory Class Program, July 1965

Children of five still need plenty of quiet growing-time and as much out-of-door life as possible. Daily lessons should be regular but informal and the time-table regarded only as a flexible guide to a well-assorted arrangement of free play occupations, activities and quiet story times.

The periods on the time-table must be spaced to allow time to move around, put things away and get them out, change position and so forth between periods, so that there shall be no pressure of hustle and no lack of opportunity for movement: concentrated attention should never be required of this class for more than ten minutes on reading, writing or number, or for more than fifteen minutes on stories.

With these considerations in mind the following plan is suggested: it offers a suitable variety of organized occupations for each morning; particular attention should be paid to the arrangement: reading, writing and number should not be taken consecutively

  • Monday – Bible, Reading, Painting, Break, Number, Handwork, Geography, Writing
  • Tuesday – Tales, Number, Handwork, Break, Reading, Singing Games, Writing, Nature Study
  • Wednesday – Poetry, Reading, Nature Study, Break, Number, Handwork, History, Writing
  • Thursday – Bible, Number, Handwork, Break, Reading, Singing Games, Writing, Tales
  • Friday – Tales, Reading, Picture Study, Break, Number, Handwork, Nature Study, Writing

A break for free play must be included as shown above.

There should also be activities in the afternoon such as physical exercise, outdoor nature observation, gardening, outdoor geography, as well as more listening to stories. The arrangement of these must depend largely on weather and climate. Children should be allowed to help in the house and in the care of animals.

Lessons
The understanding of five-year-old children varies greatly; those who are already used to being read to will be able to cover the greater part of the syllabus during a year, others will only make a beginning and may need to be told the stories at first; in either case a foundation will have been laid for the more formal lessons required of a child of six. No narration, as such, should be required at this age, though there will be many who will enjoy “telling back,” and there could be plenty of talking about stories heard. Important proper names could be pointed out and repeated aloud beforehand, so that the story may be as uninterrupted as possible. There should be no examinations or tests.

At this age children usually have a fine dramatic sense, and acting stories or setting tableaux to illustrate them is both enjoyable and valuable. Some have also considerable ability to learn by heart and this can be put to good use by learning verse of good quality; however, learning by heart should not be considered compulsory at this age.

Sample Schedule 

Monday to Thursday

  • Session 1 (45 mins):
    • Religion (10 mins)
    • Reading (10 mins)
    • Picture study, Music Appreciation or Poetry (10 mins)
    • History or Geography (10 mins)
    • Handwriting (5 mins)
  • Session 2 (25 mins):
    • Math (10 mins)
    • Story time (15 mins)

Friday

  • Session 1 (45 minutes):
    • Reading (10 mins)
    • Art or craft activity (30 mins)
    • Handwriting (5 mins)
  • Session 2 (25 mins):
    • Math (10 mins)
    • Story time (15 mins)

Recommendations for Kindergarten

1 to 1.5 hours daily

    • Religion – four times weekly, for 10 to 15 minutes
    • Maths – daily, for 10 minutes
    • History  – twice weekly, for 10 to 15 minutes
    • Geography – twice weekly, for 10 to 15 minutes
    • Music appreciation – weekly, for around 10 minutes
    • Picture study – weekly, for around 10 minutes
    • Poetry – twice weekly, for 5 to 10 minutes
    • Story time – daily, for 10 to 15 minutes
these are guidelines – adapt them to suit your child and family.

Scroll to end of syllabus for sample 36 week chart scheduling the suggested books.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

Catholic Mosaic by Cay Gibson – gives suggestions for picture books to read during each month of the year, along with a selection of activities to go with each book. These can be used for both Preschool and Kindergarten. Take care to go at your child’s pace – no need to complete every activity.

Suggested Resources for Living the Liturgical Year

Adult Resources:

Kindergarten Resources:

Ordinary Time Only (20 weeks)

Advent, Lent and Easter

Optional Reading

MATHEMATICS

There are many resources you can use to begin number work with your Prep Level child. A formal curriculum is not necessary, but if you choose to use one, do be sure to fit the curriculum to the child and not the other way round. At this age readiness varies widely; the most important thing is to go at your child’s pace. Some will race ahead in this area, others will struggle. Trying to force a young child into doing what a curriculum provider says they “ought” to be doing at this age can result in a child who hates numbers for years to come.

Suggested Activities and Topics

    • Counting songs
    • Number games (dominoes, number lotto)
    • Board games with dice
    • Make and copy sequences and patterns
    • Time (clock with movable hands)
    • Measuring (ruler, weight scale)
    • Cooking (measurement)
    • Money (learn different coins, count pennies)
    • Math(s), reading and writing – daily, for 10 minutes each (less for handwriting)

Optional Resource: The Oxford First Book of Maths by Rose Griffiths

READING & WRITING

See Language Arts page

STORY TIME

Optional Extra Reading (Chapter Books):

HISTORY

GEOGRAPHY

Picture Books

There are many picture books set in different parts of the world suitable for children of this age. Depending on the quality of your local library you could read book each week. If you have trouble getting books from the library then you might prefer to buy just two or three for each continent. If you would like a non-fiction introduction to life in other countries the “Child’s Day” series are good (though not all the books are still in print). Listed below are some books we can recommend, divided by continent.

Around the World

Africa

Pick 2-5 picture books from this list or from your library.

Asia

Pick 2-5 picture books from this list or from your library.

Europe

Pick 2-5 picture books from this list or from your library.

South and Central America

Pick 2-5 picture books from this list or from your library.

NATURE STUDY

US Options:

UK Option:

PICTURE STUDY

POETRY

MUSIC

Making Music Praying Twice

You might want to listen to music from around the world that corresponds to the countries you are learning about in geography.

To find books for the best price used visit Book Finder.

36 Week Lesson Plan Chart (pdf) (doc)

 

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