If you’ve explored the Charlotte Mason educational tradition, you are probably familiar with the extensive range of enrichment subjects on the curriculum. As a parent-teacher, the thought of fitting these into our full days has been daunting. Paired with the uncertainty about how my boys would react (with excitement or reluctant eye-rolls?), it was difficult for me to gain traction with some of these subjects or pursue them consistently. At times, just finishing the core skills-based subjects can seem like an achievement, let alone adding in “extras”.
This term, we're trying something new. I decided that a simple yet special way to enrich our lives with learning and laughter would be a weekly Friday Fun Night. It's our weekly gathering where we explore those wonderful, often overlooked activities like folk dancing, singing games, and folk songs.
All set up for our Family Fun Night!
These Friday nights are our time to relax, have fun, and connect as a family, stepping away from the daily grind of rules and chores. They've become a cherished part of our week, where we're not just following a curriculum but really building our relationships and living a full life.
We laugh more on these nights than any other time, especially when we're all trying to keep up with the folk dances. After the music and dancing, we wind down with a special treat and a game, enjoying each other's company and creating memories. These evenings are wonderfully flexible - we can add in more singing, read some folktales, or add a poetry recitation. It’s a great way to catch up on some of these subjects if anything slipped during the week.
This tradition has helped us see how these enriching activities, which might not fit into our busy weekdays, can bring us closer and add joy to our lives. Incorporating these activities into our family life feels natural and fun. It's been a real source of happiness for us, and we look forward to this night all week.
Essentials for Family Fun Night
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iPad for music and folk dancing videos. CMEC members can access the playlists from the CMEC website.
Refreshments! We like mint or chamomile teas.
A selection of games to play. I like games that our 5-year old can enjoy with us. Our current favorites are Exit: The Game Jungle of Riddles, UNO, and puzzles - I don’t see that the exact one shown is carried any longer, but there are similar ones here.
Pro tip - try the Sasha for your first folk dance. It’s energetic and fun!
