Implementing the Quiet Time Principle in your family can be beneficial. Most days, around 1 pm, we have “Quiet Time” in our house. Kids, and adults, retire to their rooms for a breather and we rest.
For some, like my littles, this is nap time. The teenagers, it’s a time where they read or quietly work on a project.
I have a cup of tea, or coffee. I work on reading, writing or some other project I can do quietly.
Sometimes, we all decide to take a nap!
This has been one of the most beneficial and practical helps in our homeschool day. We all value rest, not just from physical viewpoint, but from the emotional and mental viewpoint as well. Having a short rest every day refreshes all of us, gives us a “shift” if the day hasn’t gone as planned and a break from each other’s company so that when we do come back together, we are able to do so with fresh perspective.
Being a larger homeschooling family means we are with each other 24 hours a day. These breaks have allowed us all to have a small window every day for privacy.
It’s also been a great tool for teaching the younger children self-control. My children are high-energy kiddos and quiet time has helped to train them to calm themselves, embrace rest and to focus on quiet work.
The “rules” for Quiet Time are simple:
You must stay in your bed (or chair). (The idea is to limit motion as much as possible.)
No talking. (Not even to yourself- yes, this DOES happen in my house!)
You are allowed one book and one drawing pad with supplies, but NO toys, NO TV and NO electronics.
If you feel sleepy, you must close your eyes for a little bit. (The littles almost always fall asleep)
That’s it! For us, the 1pm time slot works well. It gives us enough time to cover breakfast, chores, school and lunch. By the time we finish those, we all are ready for a break and for the house to be quiet.
After 1 hour, if the kids want to get up they can, but often, they don’t stroll out of their rooms til 2:30-3pm. 3pm is the cutoff time though, and if anyone is still asleep, I make the rounds and wake them up for free/outside/art time.
Do you implement the Quiet Time Principle in your home? Share your tips and benefits in the comments below!
Leave a Reply