Gentle Calendar Work for Toddlers: A Charlotte Mason-Inspired Morning Basket Idea
Looking for a gentle way to teach calendar work to toddlers or preschoolers? This Charlotte Mason-friendly morning basket activity teaches days, months, and seasons through daily recitation—no worksheets required! Learn how we use our watercolor animal calendar to build routine, connection, and early comprehension in just 2 minutes a day.
HOMESCHOOL
How I Use Gentle Calendar Work in Our Morning Basket Routine
In our homeschool, our morning basket is the heart of our day. It’s where we slow down, connect, and gently begin learning together—no rush, no pressure. We include Bible time, living books, songs, and sometimes nature finds—but one of the simplest and sweetest parts of our morning rhythm is calendar work.
Why Calendar Work with Toddlers?
While my older children have more structured morning menus, my toddler’s learning is centered around recitation and oral comprehension. He doesn’t do any writing yet, and I don’t expect him to. Instead, I use calendar time as a way to gently introduce the concepts of days of the week, months of the year, seasons, and those tricky little ideas: yesterday, today, and tomorrow.
Our Daily Calendar Routine
Each morning, my toddler pulls out our gentle 10x5 animal calendar from the morning basket. Before we even begin, he usually bursts into a giggle over the funny animal of the month. Sometimes we make up a short story about what the animal might be doing or thinking—it’s a lovely, simple way to spark imagination and connection.
Then we move into recitation:
I ask, “What is today?”
“What was yesterday?”
“What will tomorrow be?”
“What season are we in?”
This takes no more than two minutes, but it’s rich with learning.
Why Recitation and Repetition Matter
Charlotte Mason reminded us that "Repetition is the mother of retention.” Young children thrive when they are given the space to repeat and recite, allowing ideas to sink in over time. Oral work strengthens their memory, vocabulary, and understanding long before a pencil ever touches paper.
By repeating the same phrases each day—"Today is... Yesterday was... Tomorrow will be..."—my toddler gains confidence and familiarity with the rhythm of time. It’s truly gentle learning at its best.
About the Calendar I Use
The calendar we use was born from a need I had as a homeschool mama: I wanted something beautiful, simple, and portable—something that wouldn't take up an entire wall, but would still bring delight and structure to our mornings.
So I created it.
Size: 10x5 inches – folds neatly into our morning basket
Design: Each month features a whimsical watercolor animal—cute, lighthearted, and conversation-worthy
Purpose: Designed to help little ones orally practice calendar concepts without writing
Bonus: Includes seasonal prompts for easy discussion of spring, summer, fall, and winter
Whether you homeschool full-time, have littles in preschool, or just want something special to review the day with your child before drop-off, this calendar is a sweet and thoughtful addition to your home.
Why Charlotte Mason Mamas Love It
This calendar aligns beautifully with Charlotte Mason’s philosophy of atmosphere, habit, and living ideas. It brings warmth and joy into your home while reinforcing foundational concepts in a gentle, age-appropriate way. There are no cartoon characters or busy graphics—just simple, intentional artwork that invites observation, language, and imagination.
Want to Add Gentle Calendar Work to Your Mornings?
You can find this calendar in my Etsy shop:
👉 Gentle 10x5 Calendar
It’s perfect for morning baskets, kitchen tables, or even your school bag—and I pray it blesses your family’s days the way it has blessed ours.