* Talk about your dreams. Ask them what they dreamed about the night before, and share what you dreamed. [Make up a story if it wasn’t kid-friendly ;)] Starting the day off with some fun and imagination is a great start to an adventurous day!
* Make and eat a healthy breakfast. Incorporate your kids in the breakfast routine to get them excited about eating a healthy meal to start off the day. My boys love to help make their morning smoothies while I cook up whatever food we are having, and Daddy makes coffee. We all work together to enjoy a family meal.
* Read together. Read a book, read the paper, read a magazine, read an ebook. Read SOMETHING. Get those brains working and the imagination flowing! We usually fit this in right after breakfast. We either read together or read individually – whatever is floating our boats that morning.
* Get outside. Find a way to get outside and get some fresh air as early as possible. Go for a walk, take care of the garden, eat breakfast outside. It’s important that you (and especially your kids) get outdoors every day, and the earlier you do that, the more benefits you’re going to reap!
These are just a few of our family’s favorite ways to connect and start our mornings off on a happy and adventurous foot! It helps to calm the chaos and to set the tone for the rest of the day.
What does your family’s morning routine look like? Share some of your favorite ideas in the comments!
Leah McDermott, M.Ed. is an Educator turned Mother of two and advocate for the encouragement and development of natural, child-led learning. Since 2009, she has helped families and educators provide their children with meaningful learning experiences through her one-of-a-kind curriculum and community, Your Natural Learner. When she’s not teaching and sharing in her Your Natural Learner Facebook Group, she can be found enjoying the great outdoors with her family in the gorgeous Pacific Northwest. Follow along with her on Facebook and Instagram.
