Clay and I agree that most of our educational influence came from how we scheduled life and gave it a shape through our rhythms, routines, and rituals. What we practiced every day as a way of life probably influenced our children and their ultimate life messages more than the resources we provided.

A home filled with meaningful rhythms gives foundation to life messages and values. We knew we needed some kind of routine to give order and stability to our ideals. What we practiced every day, all the time, as a routine and expected exercise established deeply held values that shaped our family culture, our sense of “We are the Clarksons. This is what we do. This is how we live.”

Among our daily rhythms were morning devotions, read-aloud time, play and pretend, quiet hour, tea time, 5 o'clock cleanup, dinnertime discipleship, and bedtime blessings.

Read more about this in Awaking Wonder.