Nana's Legacy: 

Learning As Love in Action

When my husband Michael and I were young parents, we were both working full-time and doing our best to build a life for our family. During those early years, my mom, Susie, cared for our little ones while we were at work. They called her "Nana".

She didn’t just “watch” them — she poured into them. She worked on numbers and ABCs, practiced sight words, built puzzles, read stories, and turned everyday moments into opportunities to learn. But to our children, it never felt like school. It felt like sitting beside their Nana, laughing, snuggling, and spending time together. Learning was simply love in action.

In those small, ordinary moments, she modeled how nurture becomes knowledge, how routine becomes rhythm, and how presence becomes progress. The table where she traced letters became a place of wonder.The sofa where she read picture books became a doorway into imagination. Even the kitchen timer turned into a playful way to count, wait, and celebrate tiny victories. My mom’s approach was gentle and joyful: follow the child’s curiosity, keep lessons short, and anchor everything in relationship.

When my mom passed away less than a year ago, a piece of my heart went with her. I miss her every single day. As I reflected on those early years and the foundation she helped lay for our children, I realized something powerful: she wasn’t just teaching letters and numbers — she was building confidence, curiosity, and connection

Tiny Turtle Learning was born out of that realization. My mom loved turtles, and creating this resource in her honor keeps her spirit close to me. Every activity, every page, is rooted in the kind of intentional, loving time she gave so freely. The name is a promise: to move steadily, kindly, and persistently, just like the little turtle that keeps going — not because speed is the goal, but because the journey is sacred. What she gifted our family is what I now hope to place in your hands: a way to make learning feel like belonging. 

Our Family Journey:

From Doubt to Deep Roots

I became a stay-at-home mom in my late 20’s and chose to homeschool all four of our children. It wasn’t always easy. There were tears, questions, and moments of doubt. But there were also break throughs, joy, and incredible growth.

Today, three of our children have graduated high school — one earned a college degree in Business, one became a Dental Assistant, and one is now a Professional Pilot teaching others how to fly. Our youngest is currently thriving in 8th grade homeschool. Watching them grow into capable, confident young adults has only strengthened my belief that intentional early foundations truly matter.

Looking back, I can see that the small, steady practices we began in preschool became the scaffolding for later independence: listening before leaping, trying before asking for help, and finishing what you start. The fruit of those early days shows up in the way our kids organize their time, care for people, and pursue big goals with humility.

The Truth I Learned Is Simple:

Home is a powerful classroom when love and structure meet. We kept learning flexible enough to fit real life, but consistent enough to cultivate trust. We paused when big feelings needed tending and pressed on when curiosity lit the way. That balance — grace and grit together — helped our children build both skill and character

If you are wondering whether you can do this, I want you to know that doubt is normal and growth is possible. The story of our family is not about perfection; it is about perseverance, patience, and purpose. If a weary mom with a sink full of dishes and a heart full of hope can raise readers, leaders, and dreamers, so can you.

 Take courage. Start small. Keep going.

Why Tiny Turtle Learning:

Purpose, Promise, and Practice

This blueprint was created for moms like you — whether you are homeschooling, staying at home, or simply wanting to give your preschooler a strong start. You do not need to be a certified teacher. You simply need love, consistency, and a plan. My hope is that Tiny Turtle Learning helps you create those same beautiful moments of connection and confidence with your little ones — moments that feel less like “school” and more like the kind of quality time that builds both skills and hearts.

Tiny Turtle Learning is guided by three promises: to keep learning relational, to keep activities simple and doable, and to honor the natural pace of your child. Each page you’ll encounter is an invitation to slowdown, to notice, and to celebrate the wonder of becoming.

Turn Hope into Practice

To turn that hope into practice, begin with short, predictable routines: a five-minute story, a song with motions, a tray with matching objects, or a quick counting game using snack pieces.

Use what you already have at home: puzzle pieces, measuring cups, socks to sort by size. Speak encouragement generously — name effort, not just outcomes. When your child wiggles, build the lesson around movement

When your child asks questions, stretch the moment with curiosity. Above all, let presence be your pedagogy: kneel to eye level, smile, and enjoy the gift of learning together. This is how confidence grows and how courage takes root. 

You Are Capable: 

A Letter to the Heart of a Mother

You are more capable than you think and you are not alone in this journey. The same love that tucks in blankets and kisses scraped knees is the love that teaches letters, numbers, and kindness. If you carry doubt, let it ride along but do not let it drive. If you feel behind, remember: children grow in seasons, not schedules. Your steady, imperfect presence is a powerful teacher. Reach for community when you can — a friend to swap ideas with, a library story hour, a park meet-up. Celebrate tiny wins, like a new letter recognized or a brave try at zipping a coat. Those moments add up to a childhood rich in competence and connection. Trust what you know about your child. Trust the slow and faithful way.

As you turn these pages, imagine my mom, Susie, smiling from the porch, cheering you on. Imagine a little turtle taking one more step toward the sea, steady and sure. Imagine your living room becoming a place where laughter and learning meet every day. This blueprint is more than ideas; it is an invitation to remember what matters most: the hearts in your home. May you find rest in the rhythm, joy in the journey, and confidence in the small, daily choices that shape a life. You’ve got this, mama — one story, one song, one snuggle at a time.

With Love, Jennifer Probus
Founder and Author of Tiny Turtle Learning