Why 10 Minutes? The Idea Behind Our Activity Packs

As a mama myself, I know your days can be exhausting, fun, challenging, exciting, and boring — all at once. Some of us work full time outside the home, some part time, others at home, and still others are stay at home moms. We all love our kids, and we all want what is best for them.

Since you are here, I'm going to guess that you want to teach them — even if it is to supplement what they are learning elsewhere.

How It Started

I used to be a teacher, and one of my favorite parts of teaching was creating fun, interactive, and interesting lessons for my students. When my husband and I decided that I would homeschool our 2 and 3 year olds instead of sending them to preschool, I figured I had it handled. I made schedules, planned our days and activities, and bought curriculums.

It wasn't working though. I found myself frustrated and overwhelmed too many times throughout the day. I constantly felt guilty for what I wasn't doing. Upon reflection, I began to notice something.

What I Noticed

What I noticed is that my kids do well in 10 (ish) minute increments. 10 minutes can be a long time when you are 3. Or 33.

I started thinking about spending 10 minute chunks of time focused on an activity with my kids. This plays out differently throughout the day and week:

• Sometimes, I give them my undivided attention for 10 minutes (read books, do a craft, work on some letter recognition activities, etc).
• Sometimes they continue to do the activity by themselves.
• Sometimes we only do one activity, then move on.
• Sometimes we do multiple 10 Minute Activities in a row.

Now that I think about activities and learning in 10 minute increments, our days feel so much freer, easier, and more fun.

The Idea Behind the Activity Packs

Reading together is one of our top priorities each day, so I started with the books. I created the Ten Minute Activity Packs based on books that we love. Each pack has book recommendations and several alphabet-centered activities to go along with them. I also included suggestions for discussing the books you are reading with your child.

The purpose of the 10 Minute "limit" isn't to restrict you — it's to give you smaller, simpler learning opportunities with your child. No one has time to plan elaborate activities each day, and I truly believe that with quality books by your side, you don't NEED elaborate activities.

I guess my point is that we work so hard putting our kids first and it's okay to give ourselves a break. Take off some pressure and realize that if 10 minutes is all we have right now, then that's okay.