There is so much to learn about the Charlotte Mason philosophy, and my hope is that if we begin early, when our children are still very young, we will eventually approach homeschooling with confidence.
I follow her advice closely, but I look at it as just that: advice. It is not the law. As a Christian, I often think, If we have freedom in Christ, then we most definitely have freedom in Charlotte Mason. By understanding her principles, we can determine how to best use them in our daily lives.
Charlotte Mason's philosophy is built around the principle that children are born persons. Not only does this principle tell us about the extraordinary worth of children in God's eyes, it tells us that they are capable learners. We don't need to bend over backwards to create meaningful learning experiences for them: they will find the meaning through their senses. This principle is especially important as we go forward with Charlotte Mason preschool.
- Children are Born Persons
- Baby, You're Not an Oyster (Thinking Love Podcast)
Because our children are persons, Charlotte Mason's philosophy does not rely on grades or gimmicks to get them to learn. Instead of bribery or cajoling, we rely on habit formation. Children develop habits no matter what, so we believe that we may as well make them positive habits.
- Why My Kids Are Out of Control
- The Stages of Charlotte Mason Habit Formation
- Habits: The Good, The Bad, and the Worthy (Thinking Love Podcast)
A Charlotte Mason education mainly consists of living books, books that are beautifully written and filled with life-giving ideas. These books inspire, teach, and give children the opportunity to learn to think.
- Education is a Life
- How to Choose Living Books
- Twaddle; Junk Food for the Brain
- Living Books Keep Our Minds Alive (Thinking Love Podcast)
Get your study guide for Charlotte Mason's 20 principles here.
