Curriculum of Love

There is no doubt that we live in a scary world. With its violence, potential predators, and uncertainty, our children have every right to feel fear and worry. Who can blame them? Do we not lock our doors, install security systems and motion lights, and even take self-defense courses because we feel the same way ourselves?

But our children also have a right to feel hope. They deserve to feel safe, secure and loved—which is what we, as parents, can provide. Many people say that if you love your kids, that’s enough—and I believe that, to an extent. If you’re looking for a homeschooling book—or even a supplemental book to go with your child’s education—to help foster these feelings, Curriculum of Love is a great choice.

A word of caution—this book, while its authors claim is non-denominational, is still, in fact, a spiritual book; in fact, the entire title is Curriculum of Love: Cultivating the Spiritual Nature of Children. So if you are an atheist, agnostic or simply wish to not use “spiritual” teachings in your schooling—which is almost unavoidable, actually, considering that planting, singing, and many other activities are almost spiritual in nature!—you may either want to skip this book or alter its contents during use to your preferences.

“A positive and creative approach to fostering spiritual development in children,” Morgan Simone Daleo’s Curriculum of Love delivers empowering lessons that included music, art, movement, hands-on activities and storytelling as a basis for a child’s education. From yoga-like stretches to dancing, to singing songs about gratitude, to nature walks, there’s something in every chapter that your child will probably enjoy doing very much. The activities are very child-friendly and fun, teaching the book’s values in ways that most people can understand very easily.

The values included in the teachings include mindfulness, joy, compassion, harmony, community, human awareness, balance, self-reliance, service and the appreciation of beauty. Most, if not all, of these values likely fit into your own family’s beliefs somehow, and you can always include your own family values within the ones expressed here.

Each chapter ends with lists of valuable resources to continue the teachings in your daily life. For example, in the chapter Expressing Harmony, a list of varied musical selections—from Western traditions to World Music—are suggested, as well as books for the parent to browse to further understand as well as teach the subject matter. Following the resources are a few blank pages for note-taking as well.

A gentle, loving guide to raising and teaching young children, Curriculum of Love would benefit any parenting, teaching, or early childhood education library.