The past year with my little girls has been a little rough. Between having a new baby in the house and three older brothers whose lessons I cannot neglect, I am afraid that I let my girls down a bit. I have not managed to spend as much one on one (or one on two) time with them as I would like. I have honestly found it difficult just to accomplish the bare minimum with the older boys. So now I am in the process of revamping our days so that I am once again putting my youngest children first on the “schedule” each day rather than trying to finish up lessons with the boys first thing. The boys spend the morning working on their chores, the lessons they can do on their own, and playing. Silas is either with me or with his brothers.
I needed something that would help me with some loose structure and ideas for Beatrix and Larkspur and I think I have found it in a sweet little program called Twenty Six Letters to Heaven. I typically politely decline to review books or curricula here, but when Sarah, the author of this program, wrote me asking if I would be interested in taking a look at it, I felt like she might actually really be filling a need for us. This Catholic curriculum is geared toward preschoolers in a traditional letter each week format, but it is easy to include older children as well, and that is how I am using it. I have honestly never followed a letter each week program before. I guess I have always found myself wanting to do my own thing, and felt too limited by curricula of any sort for younger children. Now that I am homeschooling with such a wide range of ages though, I find that my spontaneity and creativity skips out on me in the face of all the good, the bad, and the busy that make up our days. I am easily overwhelmed by homeschooling materials, but this program is so simple to carry out that I am not intimidated by it at all. I spent about twenty minutes looking over it before I knew I could do it.
This week we began with letter “A.” Following along with Twenty Six Letters, the girls and I have focused on a virtue (amiability,) a simple verse from scripture for memorization that enforces that virtue, and we’ve talked about St. Anne. We have read books selected from the booklist (there is a list for each letter of the alphabet,) colored coloring pages of St. Anne and other “A” themed pictures that I found online. We’ve also done a few simple crafts both from the book and our own ideas. Simple construction paper ants were created along with angels from wool roving. Included in the lesson plans for each week are math or science activities and recipes alongside the arts and crafts ideas. I intend to plan a couple of things for each of four days per week. While Larkspur is beyond learning her letters, she still enjoys playing along with Beatrix and I. I do additional work with her in the areas of math, handwriting, and phonics but love that she and Bea can work together learning about virtues, the saints, and memorizing scripture.
My girls are loving the simple format we have followed each morning this week. I am finding that they play together far more happily during the afternoon after they have had me to themselves all morning. This is allowing me to spend Silas’ afternoon naptime working with my older boys. I pray that this system continues to work for us!
If you are interested in winning a copy of Twenty Six Letters to Heaven, just mention so in your comment and I will randomly choose a winner on Monday.
The winner is Katie: “I would love to look at 26 Letters to Heaven for my little girls! I too, have avoided a lot of curriculum for the littles, but would enjoy trying something a little more structured. Your girls are adorable!”
dana says
The book looks absolutely delightful. I’d love to own a copy.
Amy says
We’ve been struggling with our days, too. There’s never enough Mama to go around. (I could use some more Mama myself!) I’d also love to be considered for the book. Thank you for your offer.
Anna says
I would love to have an opportunity to win a copy of this beautiful and essential book. I have met Sarah and previewed the book in person and was so taken with her witness as a mother and educator, and the thoughtful and inspiring way that the book is layed out. The concepts explored in it are both age appropriate and elevating and ennobling. A wonderful course we will cherish.
Heather says
What a sweet book. I would love to be entered in the giveaway.
Have a happy day.
kate alexander says
I would love a chance to win that book! I’ve been searching for something that felt right with my daughter, who is soon to be 3, and well I trust all your other book recommendations. I’d love to check it out!
Janelle says
I should probably start giving attention to my little ones first too. Good idea. We too would love…and will eventually get the book….Also, the pictures you post show a very very VERY clean house. I’m impressed!
Erin @ Wild Whispers says
What a wonderful way to preschool the girls! My aunt asked me just tonight when I was going to start something “concrete” with my Kate, and I didn’t have an answer. This might be just the thing. Thank you for the opportunity to win!
Jen says
Excellent! I would love to get some new ideas!
Coby says
This sounds lovely. Definitely would like one.
DD says
Oh yes please
DD says
I would love a copy!
Katy P says
I would love a copy of this book!
Traci says
This looks cute. I adore your pictures too, very organic feeling. 🙂
Ali says
Ginny, this is wonderful! We used this curriculum last year and LOVED it! There is so much you can do with it that we’ve extended it past pre-school and have been incorporating ideas into our K curriculum. I loved that my girls enjoyed using their creativity to learn about different subjects and still keep our Faith at the center. Enjoy it!
Laura says
I would love a copy, too! This program looks very charming.
Kristy says
I would love to win a copy. Thank you for sharing this Ginny!
Theresa says
We would love to win a copy. I have been looking for a toddler/preschool curriculum for my oldest to start in the fall. How exciting. God always has a way of showing me the path. Thanks!!!
Holly M says
Lovely!! My girls (all four) would love this, thank you for recommending it.
Sarah says
I think my own preschoolers would love this program. You are a wonderful mother!
Joyce Gonyon says
I would love to win a copy of this book for my preschool grandchildren. thank You
serina says
Would love to try this curriculum.
Tracie says
I would love to have this resource. What a great idea! Thank you!
Brit says
This looks absolutely perfect to use with my daughter in a couple years.
Katie says
I would love to look at 26 Letters to Heaven for my little girls! I too, have avoided a lot of curriculum for the littles, but would enjoy trying something a little more structured. Your girls are adorable!
Katharine Whitmore says
This book sounds really great!
heathermama says
funny how that is isn’t it, with children. i feel lately we have been so focused on my older children (who are in school per their choice) that what i do with the younger set (all 4 of them) seems to be lacking. i too have been trying to get into the swing of things again. i find summer here in AZ so easy to get into some sort of rhythm as it gets so HOT here during the summer and we tend to not go outside as much, or at least for such long periods.
the book sounds interesting. i would love to hear more about it as you go thru it. i have occasionally done a letter/number sort of thing with the boys and they seem to like it.
Kristyn says
I would love to win a copy of this book! Thank you for the chance!
Trish says
I would love to win a copy of this book. Thank you Ginny.
Sarah says
My daughter would love this.
sarah says
My preschooler and I would love this!
Lisa says
I’m starting to homeschool my 4 year old for preschool next year– I’d love this!!
Laura S says
Would love to try this if I won!
Libby says
Sounds like a great book- I’d love to win a copy. Thank you for your blog.
miss says
such a lovely book! thank you for sharing and i would be so happy to win!
Olivia says
I would love a copy. Thank you for the chance to win one!
Adrie says
What lovely ideas-thank you for sharing, and I would love to win a copy. I’m just starting the letters with my daughter, also.
Meg says
I never heard of this book, and it looks very sweet. I have two bitty ones still, and I’d love to try this!
Lia says
My dear NET sister is just about to start homeschooling her oldest child. I would LOVE to win & gift this to her to support her new adventure!
Sarah Hammer says
I would love to try out this program! We need some order and routine around here and something like this seems like a great help with the “school” part of things! Thank you!
Dessi says
Hi, I would love to win a copy of this beautiful book!!!
Elizabeth says
I would love to add this to our year!
Kate says
I’ve taught six kids to read with Explode the Code books, but this looks interesting
A says
This looks like just the sort of thing we’re looking for! It seems do-able, not intimidating and like my 2 and 4 year old (and mommy) would all enjoy it! I’d love to win!
Leah says
I’d love this book!
Kara says
I would love a copy of this book. It sounds like a nice fit this fall for my soon-to-be three year old, who is going to need a little one-on-one when the new baby comes. So glad it is blessing your family, too!
Shannon says
This looks like a great program that can either be simple or involved, depending on how much time you have in a particular day. This is also very timely as I’ve been researching pre-K curriculums for next year. Thanks for reviewing it. I’d love to win it!
Katrina says
I also struggle with finding time to teach both the littles and bigs. It would be nice to win this program but if I don’t I am going to look into buying it.
pATTY says
I will love to have a copy and take a look..thanks for hosting and I understand you feel!
K says
We’d love to try this program! Thank you for sharing your struggles with getting one on one time with your children. Balance is a tricky thing:)
Jodi says
This looks really lovely, Ginny. Thank you for the recommendation. I will be teaching preschool for my local co-op this coming fall and need some inspiration. It would be such a blessing to win a copy of this. Thank you again!