Welcome to the Simply Charlotte Mason podcast. I'm Sonia Schaefer. Today we're answering another

question about habit training. If you've missed any of the episodes in this Habits Q&A series,

check the link in the show notes. It'll take you to all of them. Here's the question for today.

My question is, how early can you start habit training in children? I have a two-year-old,

and I'm homeschooling my seven-year-old son. And it's actually a bit hard to do lessons

with a seven-year-old and having to also manage my time with my two-year-old. Is it possible

to start habit training as early as her age? And if you

could, maybe share some tips on how to maybe start instilling these habits at that very young

age? Absolutely. Yes, it is possible and it is recommended to start instilling habits at that age.

First, keep in mind that many habits, especially at that young age, are going to be picked

up from the atmosphere of your home.

So for example, the habit of kindness.

Your two-year-old can quickly pick up on that tone of voice that you use and that other

family members use, how you talk to each other, as well as how you treat each other.

For another example, think about the habit of cleanliness.

You let your little one get dirty, but then you clean her up. She takes

regular baths. So keep that big picture in mind that the atmosphere of your home is having

an effect on your preschooler. She's going to pick up habits that way. But she's also going to pick up habits by direct teaching.

I think as soon as a child can understand the word no, you can start instilling habits.

And usually that's around nine months old or twelve months old.

The child might not be able to say anything yet, but she can understand

it. So you can start to work on the habit of obedience at that very young age, and I think

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