You are correct. However, keep reading to see what type of math I’m talking about, and what sort of things I do with my 4 year old to satisfy her desires for math!

Charlotte Mason was a British educator who was born in the 1800’s. She really went against the mainstream thinking of education at the time, and I really respect her for the work she did. I’ve read most of her books, and found them to be books I go back to over and over again for guidance.

That being said, I’m not a Charlotte Mason purist, meaning I don’t do absolutely everything like she did. I do feel like if she was alive today, there might be things she would do differently for the time period we are in now. I also tweak things to make them work for my large family.

Read her quote below on what the first six years of a child’s life should look like:

How much time daily in the open air should the children have? And how is it possible to secure this for them? In this time of extraordinary pressure, educational and social, perhaps a mothers first duty to her children is to secure for them a quiet growing time, a full six years of passive receptive life, the waking part of it spent for the most part out in the fresh air. And this, not for the gain in bodily health alone––body and soul, heart and mind, are nourished with food convenient for them when the children are let alone, let to live without friction and without stimulus amongst happy influences which incline them to be good.

Home Education Book – Charlotte Mason

Clearly we can see from this that Charlotte Mason did not think math was a huge priority for a child under six. Instead, they should be playing outside, looking at picture books, playing with engaging toys, and just living life.

Some children are just curious for more though, and when you have a younger sibling that is seeing their older siblings do schoolwork, they want to be right there with them. So instead of saying no to my 4 year old’s request to do math, I try to make it more hands on, how Charlotte Mason would suggest.

In order to do that, I want my 4 year old to learn the connection of what a number stands for. She can do this through counting objects in books, helping in the kitchen, it honestly just happens very naturally.

Lately she has been asking me for more math, and I don’t want to start her with a formal math curriculum yet. She can’t write her numbers yet, and that’s totally ok.

Instead of giving a child a pencil and expecting them to write perfectly at a young age, I use  chalkboards with a chalk pencil. It requires less fine motor skills for a young child, and even Charlotte Mason talked about starting writing skills with a chalkboard.

You can watch the video for more details on how I do this, and what it looks like. To do a quick summary though, I write out six problems on the basic operations chalkboard. Then I have the full size numbers chalkboard next to it, along with fun, hands on manipulatives.

She will say the problem to me, then count out each number using the objects, add them together, and then trace the number on the large numbers board. Some days I help her write the number in the answer box of the basic operations chalkboard, other days we just leave it at that. After six problems she is done, and so happy that she did her math for the day!

I love how gentle this is, and that it doesn’t take a lot of brain power on my end to make it happen.

Resource List

Basic Operations Chalkboard 

Numbers Chalkboard 

Chalk Pencil Set 

Smaller Chalk Pencil

Felt Bumblebees for counting

Winnie the Pooh Leather Mat 

Winnie the Pooh Matching Game

Maileg Mice and Furniture 

The post Charlotte Mason Math For Kindergarten and Preschool first appeared on The Modest Mom.

Carrianna started in Kindergarten using Horizons, and then we switched to Teaching Textbooks. While I loved how hands off Teaching Textbook was, I realized after a few years that my children were not learning the math facts and actually having them stick, and it just wasn’t challenging them enough. We stopped using Teaching Textbooks a few years ago, and I’ve seen a lot of math growth since we switched.

I used Saxon when I was being homeschooled. I struggled understanding math and there was not nearly the resources available 20 years ago as there are now. After looking through all the math options that are out there, I decided to give Saxon a try. A good friend of mine has told me for years now how well her children do in Saxon, so I thought it was time to at least see if it worked for my children.

While I knew I wanted the rigor and consistent spiral type approach with Saxon, I also knew I needed help with teaching the upper grades, because I’m not the best at upper level math myself.

After deciding we wanted to try Saxon Math, I started hearing lots of homeschooling moms rave about Nicole the Math Lady in the homeschool Facebook groups I’m in. My curiosity was peaked, and after I kept reading so many glowing reports, I decided we would get a subscription for a year and try it out.

Two years later, it is hands down, the best decision I’ve made in quite awhile. 

Carrianna started Saxon in 7th grade. It was a rough year. Teaching Textbooks had not taught her up to the level Saxon had her start with in 7th grade, so we started half way through the 6th grade Saxon book, which made her feel like she was terrible at math. Once she had completed that she then started the 7th grade book.

She liked using Saxon, but had a hard time transitioning to the different style of teaching and the more rigorous concept. Plus, she is a perfectionist and was constantly stressed by not getting each problem correct. It became a huge deal. I was at my wits end, and didn’t know what to do.

Thankfully, Nicole helped us with this!

We met her at one of the Great Homeschool Conventions we attended with our homeschool business, and I had Carrianna go and talk to her. Nicole gave her an amazing pep talk, and encouraged her to not be discouraged about the problems she was getting wrong, and to stop being so stressed about getting a problem wrong. Nicole also told her some things to do differently, and it helped so much!

That one talk literally changed our 8th grade experience with Saxon math. Her attitude has been amazing this year with almost zero stressful moments. She has pushed through all the hard moments and is almost done with the whole math book for the year, which is probably the second time that has ever happened! (I know, it’s bad!) . I’m incredibly thankful for Nicole the Math Lady.

Who is Nicole?

Nicole is a wife, a mom, a Stanford graduate and a former math tutor. She has learned how to communicate and teach math in an engaging and fun way. My daughter said she is very funny and honest, and never she complains about watching her videos each day.

Nicole the Math lady is a subscription based program that uses exclusively Saxon Math books. She has grades 3rd through high school available on the website.

You can do a basic plan of watching the videos each day that teach the lesson, or you can add on self grading (an amazing option!), or you can do both of those options plus the study hall (I suggest this for high school for sure!).

The videos are usually up to 5 minutes, but occasionally there are some that are 15 minutes long.  Nicole makes the videos engaging, fun, and teaches in a way that helps children actually learn. I never thought I would put my children in Saxon Math, and the only reason is because of Nicole!

Sign up for a free trial subscription here! 

The post Nicole The Math Lady for Saxon Math! first appeared on The Modest Mom.

We rarely take our children to the doctor. We have an amazing MD that I trust, but I’ve learned over the years how to treat my children at home for so many of the common childhood illnesses. 

Here are some ways that I do that. Please note, this is not medical advice, I’m simply sharing what has worked for my family. 

Earaches

I reach for Melrose oil and rub it around their ears. 

Coughs

I use the Thieves Chest Rub for coughing. I recently had a head cold and started coughing. Normally that can go on for weeks, but I started rubbing the Thieves chest rub on and within a few days it was gone! 

Fever Blisters

Sean gets bad fever blisters whenever he is stressed or extra tired. They can be nasty and last for several weeks, even with using the expensive medicine. Last week he decided to just try using Thieves and Tea Tree oil on them, with the Edan Salve from the Bulk Herb store as the base to get the oils on. Wouldn’t you know it, within 4 days those fever blisters had scabbed over and started healing. It has cut down his time dealing with the fever blisters in half, and it’s so much better for him than the medicine.

Inner Defense

We love Inner Defense in our home! We take these powerful pills whenever we start getting sick. They are excellent for helping to boost your immune system and fight off illness. I don’t take these daily, as I save these for being the “shock and awe” fighting pills that my body needs when I’m starting to get a cold or the flu. I don’t want my body used to them, but at the first hint of a sniffle you better believe I’m taking one! If I’m actively sick, I’ll take several a day to fight it hard. If you are someone that is frequently sick in the winter months I would take these everyday, to help fight against all the germs. 

Life 9 Probiotic

I take this each night before I go to bed. Life 9 capsules are made with a special delayed release covering- ensuring that your good bacteria supplementation gets where it needs to go and isn’t wasted. If your gut is healthy, that helps your immune system, so you stay healthier. It also helps your skin!  I’m going to have my teenager start taking it to help his acne, I feel like when I’m consistent taking it that it helps my face as well.

Mighty Pro

Just like adults, children need to develop good bacteria in their guts! This is the perfect time of year to give children this Mighty Pro, and it tastes so good! We started giving it to our 6 year old recently and she loves it! She had a runny nose, and those seem to go on for weeks. After a few days of taking Mighty Pro it was totally gone! If your child is constantly getting sick and picking up every bug out there, this is something you should have them take each day! 

Peace and Calming essential oil 

I can’t tell you how many times Peace and Calming has helped me and my children! Do you ever wish someone would come and just give you a great big hug during the middle of a difficult parenting day? That’s what this is like. This gentle, sweet blend of Ylang Ylang, Orange, Tangerine, Patchouli, and Blue Tansy is amazing, and I’ve had good results with putting it on my younger children who are throwing a fit and they calm right down. Whenever I start to feel anxious or stressed, I put this on the back of my neck (spine) and then rub it in my hands and smell it often.

I’m going to make some homemade play dough for the girls and put some peace and calming in it!

Lavender 

There are so many uses for Lavender! I use it on burns, to calm a fussy baby down, diffusing it at night with Cedarwood for sleep, it’s great for blemishes on your face…the list goes on! This is one oil I always have in my house.

I found it interesting that I’m not a huge lavender fan. The scent normally gave me a headache and I didn’t like it, but once I started using the lavender from Young Living I liked the smell of this oil! Purity in your oils really do matter!

Thieves

Thieves oil is a must have for the winter months! It helps so many different ways. We mix it with Christmas Spirit essential oil and diffuse all the time. It not only smells good, but it’s an immune boosting, fight against nasty germs oil. You want this oil going in your diffuser all winter long.

You can also make a wellness roller and put on your spine (and your children) each morning.

                       Wellness Roller 

• Put oils in a 10ml roller and top with carrier oil 
• 10 drops Thieves
• 10 drops Lemon
• 10 drops Peppermint
• 10 drops Frankincense

Kidpower blend

I’m not a kid, but I love this Kidpower blend and use it all the time! It smells amazing. Orange oil is the first ingredient, and orange oil is a happy oil! It literally is great for boosting your mood. Vanilla, Cinnamon, Blue Tansy, Frankincense and Geranium oil completes this blend, and these are all power oils! Do you have a crabby child? Roll this on!

Tummy aches

We ditched that famous pink bottle of over the counter medicine I used growing up years ago. Instead, all we use is one little bottle called Digize.

DiGize essential oil is one of the most unique essential oil blends, combining Tarragon, Ginger, Peppermint, Juniper, Lemongrass, Anise, and Patchouli oils for a spicy, exotic aromatic blend. DiGize oil also includes Fennel essential oil, the use of which dates back to ancient Egypt. Sean and all of the children use this oil whenever their stomach hurts, and they all rave to me about how well this oil works. It’s another oil I never want to be without!

I’ve diluted Digize and put on Jackson’s tummy for constipation. He calms down and ends up going (maybe TMI, but if you have ever had a baby constipated you know it’s not fun!). TummyGize is a roller blend already diluted for children. I’m going to get it and put in Jackson’s stocking this year!

I try to have a diffuser in each bedroom and main living area, so we can have them all running whenever needed. I even have one in the bathroom!

I’m not a brand snob at all, but when it comes to oils I only use Young Living oils now. I’ve tried others, and like the lavender oil I didn’t like how they smelled (they had an off smell) or didn’t see results from using them. With Young Living I see results, and I’m so thankful that I can naturally help my family stay healthy!

You also don’t have to buy a big starter kit to join as a member, you just order whatever you want! I love that they changed that this year. However, if you order $100 worth of items you will get free shipping, and you get 24 extra off! 

I want to offer a special gift for you this week only! (until Saturday, February 12th).

Order $100 PV (which is normally $100) and I will send you either a free diffuser, or a free Gentle Babies book, perfect for knowing how to use your oils on children!. 

Make sure you enter my ID when checking out: 18733981

—-> Shop Here <—-

The post My Winter Wellness Must Have Items In Our Home first appeared on The Modest Mom.

Leggings under skirts is the answer!

Leggings are the easiest way to stay warm in the winter months, but I never wear them by themselves! Instead, they go under my skirt or dress to stay cute, but warm all winter long!

I love that I can feel snuggly and stay so warm while wearing a knee length denim skirt.

You can’t argue with the fact that leggings are so comfortable. However, you can argue that they are not the most modest thing to wear by themselves.

They are skin tight, and I would rather wear clothing that covers my body in a more feminine way.

I don’t like drawing attention to myself in super tight clothing, and I don’t let my older girls wear leggings by themselves either.

But when you put leggings and skirts together? That’s like chocolate and peanut butter being put together. It’s perfection.

*Affiliate links are used in this post. 

I recently found a new brand of leggings to get off of Amazon and I LOVE how they feel! It’s like the buttery leggings from LulaRoe at a much cheaper price! Plus, they are holding up really well after washing and drying, and they actually stay up.

You can get them in one size, or one size plus here. They also come in lots of other colors!

How do you keep your feet warm with leggings in the winter?

If you are around the house and not going anywhere, I have two suggestions.

My sister bought me a pair of Tom’s slippers last year that I really like. They are more of a slipper shoe, so it’s super easy to step outside with them on, but the inside is soft and cozy. They have held up all last winter, and are still going strong this fall. I don’t know about you, but I have a hard time making slippers last.

The other option is to wear warm socks around the house! There is a pair of Lucky Brand socks at Costco I’m planning on getting. They look really warm and soft. Amazon has these wool socks that are also an excellent looking option.

When going out, ankle boots look cute with leggings and a skirt or dress!

Don’t let the winter months scare you away from wearing a skirt! Layer up and embrace the cold!

The post The Best Leggings To Wear With Skirts In The Winter first appeared on The Modest Mom.