If you are looking for a hands-on, literature and play based curriculum for your homeschool check out this The Peaceful Preschool review!
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My Educational Philosophy
I used to teach first grade in a public school. My philosophy of education has changed quite a bit since having children of my own and since learning about different methods like Charlotte Mason.
I remember purchasing a preschool curriculum and trying to teach my son the alphabet when he was barely 1.5. He enjoyed the painting and crafts, but he was far from ready for the academics.
I put so much pressure on myself to “do school” with him from the start. But I have learned and researched since then about the importance of play, time in nature, and allowing children time to learn real-life skills prior to pushing for academics.
A Charlotte Mason Education
I have been learning about a lot of different homeschool philosophies, and while I think I’ll land on somewhat of an eclectic style, the one that resonates with me the most is Charlotte Mason’s philosophy of education.
She encourages mothers to wait to start formal lessons until their children are six years old, and to instead spend the early years learning good habits, read “living” books, and spend lots of time playing and exploring in nature.
As a former public school teacher, I have a hard time not doing anything academic, so I landed on a compromise. The Peaceful Preschool curriculum by The Peaceful Press is focused on teaching preschoolers real-life skills, good habits, while gently introducing letters and numbers.
Keep reading for The Peaceful Preschool review!
About the Peaceful Press
The Peaceful Press was started by Jennifer Pepito—a homeschool mom to seven children. Her second daughter had learning disabilities that encouraged Jennifer to study childhood development. She studied the work of Carol Stock Kranowitz, Gordon Neufeld, John Taylor Gatto, Jane Healy, Maria Montessori, Kim John Payne, and Charlotte Mason. The Peaceful Press is based off of her research and findings.
She based her curriculum specifically off of the philosophies of Charlotte Mason and Maria Montessori. The Peaceful Press’ motto is to “connect with your children through life giving curriculum.”
She is passionate about creating resources that promote connection, preserve childhood, and tailor education to the individual needs of the child.
Compare to Busy Toddler Curriculum
The original curriculum that I tried was Playing Preschool by Busy Toddler. While I liked the play-based approach, I didn’t like how random the structure of the curriculum felt. I also wanted something that integrated teaching children good habits like helping around the house and cooking from an early age into the lessons.
Organization Tips: The Peaceful Preschool Review
I use two binders to store my Peaceful Preschool curriculum. One is for the Parent’s Guide, and the other is for the printables. I printed off two copies because I am working on this program with both my son and daughter.
I keep the recommended materials in a cabinet in our dining room along with other sensory and educational manipulatives that I can pull from.
Additionally, I used to think we needed a designated homeschool room, but so many experienced homeschool moms have shared that even if they had a special room for school, they still frequently used their kitchen table or couch! Use what you have and what works for your family.
Time it Takes Daily for Peaceful Preschool Lessons
The Peaceful Preschool curriculum is for four days a week with the fifth day reserved for field trips or fun activities. The curriculum talks about how you can get through the curriculum in 26 weeks by completing four days each week or you can spread it out over the year by only doing two days of school per week.
We try to get through four days a week, but we have had a lot of travel, appointments, and play-dates this year. So, it will take us longer than 26 weeks to get through the entire program, but that is something that I love about the flexibility of homeschooling!
The lessons take around 15-20 minutes. Sometimes, there are recommended activities that will take longer such as cooking or nature walks. Some of the lessons have suggestions for activities that can be naturally integrated throughout the day.
Preschoolers really do not need hours and hours of heavy academics. I find that 15-20 minutes is more than enough combined with the reading, adventures, and outdoor play that we focus on during the other hours of the day.
Materials Needed: The Peaceful Preschool Review
The Peaceful Preschool offers a list of recommended materials for the entire year plus specifics for each week. There is also a book list included. You may already own many of the items, and the rest can be found at a local craft store or online.
I don’t always have time to get the books from our library, so if I don’t own the recommended books, I look up read-aloud versions on Youtube. So far, I have been able to find every single read aloud that I need.
The lessons are printable, so I just printed them at home using our home printer. You can also buy the pre-printed and bound curriculum here.
The Peaceful Press has several freebies that accompany the curriculum. Download them here.
Curriculum Structure of the Peaceful Preschool
The Peaceful Preschool Curriculum is 26 weeks, and each week covers a new letter in the alphabet. The structure for each lesson is a read aloud, sensory-based phonics, counting skills, fine motor skills, large motor skills, practical life skills, and art skills.
The curriculum also includes planning tips for parents, family vision worksheets, daily schedule ideas, and a kindergarten readiness checklist. These sections were helpful for me when thinking through our daily and weekly rhythms for our family.
Lesson Structure
Each lesson is divided into seven sections: read aloud, phonics, counting skills, fine motor skills, large motor skills, practical life skills, and art skills. The curriculum writers strategically integrated these real-life skills into the lesson plans. Some of these skills include cooking, cleaning, and gardening.
You can pick and choose what you want to complete. You can also adjust based off of the individual needs and readiness-levels of your kids! Personally, I use The Peaceful Preschool as a starting point and add or take away based off of my individual kids’ needs.
I like having a curriculum because it helps me come up with ideas such as book lists and crafts, but I also love the flexibility of making lessons that fit what my kids are interested in or ready for.
Kid Approved
My especially love getting to make glitter-glue sensory letters every week! They also thoroughly enjoy the books and recommended crafts.
At the time I am writing this, my son is 4.5 and my daughter is nearing 2. I try to adapt some of the lessons for her, but it is play based and she still enjoys participating even if she isn’t ready for everything yet.
Some days, we don’t finish every recommended activity, but I don’t push it at this age. My plan is to start Kindergarten with my son using The Peaceful Press’ Nourishing Nature Kindergarten along with The Good Gospel lessons once we finish the preschool curriculum.
When he turns six, I will be starting a Charlotte Mason curriculum. Right now, I am most drawn to The Alveary due to its focus on diversity and integrating both classic and modern literature.
Supplementary Materials I Use
I use The Peaceful Preschool curriculum along with our morning basket. I usually start with our Meaningful Menu which includes a hymn, catechism, and Scripture memory.
Then, we read some poems or nursery rhymes. Sometimes I will include fine-motor skill practice that I pull from the materials I have on hand. Then, we finish with The Peaceful Preschool curriculum’s lesson.
Other Resources I Love from The Peaceful Press
I purchased The Peaceful Press Cookbook to use alongside of the preschool lessons. Everything we have tried from the cookbook has been delicious! Our favorite is the Challah—a traditional Jewish bread.
I also purchased The Good Gospel which focuses on letter and sound recognition combined with teaching The Gospel. I am planning on integrating this once we finish The Peaceful Preschool.
The Peaceful Press offers curriculum for older students as well. I have a friend who uses this curriculum, and I have heard nothing but good things about it! I am planning on using their kindergarten curriculum with my son next year.
Coupon Code to Save at The Peaceful Press
Use the code PEACEFULYEAR to save 10% on all items from The Peaceful Press!
Such a beautiful and well done review!! Thank you for the information!
Thank you so much, Emelie! We absolutely love The Peaceful Press!
Thank you so much for this review! I did the Busy Toddler curriculum with my first child, and recently began it with my second child but got the feeling we needed something different. The Playing Preschool curriculum seems similar to the Busy Toddler one but different in ways I appreciate. I’m glad I stumbled upon this review!
I am so glad it was helpful for you! There were a lot of things I liked about the Busy Toddler curriculum, but The Peaceful Press has been a better fit for our family!