GETTING STARTED WITH CHARLOTTE MASON STYLE HOMESCHOOLING
Charlotte Mason (1842 – 1923), was a British educator who sought to improve the quality of education for children from all walks of life. She developed her philosophy and methods of education through years of teaching and instructing other educators.
Made popular through her collections of writings, Miss Mason solidified a wonderful legacy for herself. Parents have been using her methods to bring goodness, truth, and beauty to their homeschools for years. What follows are several popular ideas for getting started with incorporating some of her proven methods for effective home education.
LIVING BOOKS
“And all the time we have books, books teeming with ideas fresh from the minds of thinkers upon every subject to which we can wish to introduce children.” -Charlotte Mason
One of the easiest ways to get started with a Charlotte Mason-style education is to read living books. Living books are defined as well-written books that are written by an author with passion for the subject. They are to be contrasted with dry, factual textbooks. Here are several resources for finding living books to read aloud each day at your home. Be sure to pick books that you enjoy reading as well!
NATURE
"Never be within doors when you can rightly be without."-Charlotte Mason
My family has been working on the 1000 Hours Outside Challenge to encourage us to spend more time outdoors. Miss Mason recommended that children spend 4-6 hours outside each day. That’s a lofty goal in our culture! That’s a lofty goal in our culture! We aim for 1-2 hours minimum and hit the 4-6 hours on good weather days or when we have outdoor activities planned.
Charlotte Mason also encouraged her students to learn about the local wildlife. Find some field guides for identifying birds or trees or use the app, PlantNet.
Create a nature journal for you and your children. Model how to observe something outside and draw it in your notebook. Children will be more motivated when they see you working on a nature journal as well!
MUSIC AND ART
"An observant child should be put in the way of things worth observing."-Charlotte Mason
Charlotte Mason emphasized “spreading a feast of knowledge” before her students and letting the work speak for itself. Pick a composer you enjoy and listen to their songs over breakfast. Pick an artist to study and print several of their paintings. Encourage your children to observe the painting quietly for a minute. Then turn the painting over and let them recall what they saw.
LEARN MORE
These were just some of Charlotte Mason’s tenets of a well-rounded education. She also wrote much about forming good habits, handicrafts, learning to read, and so much more. To learn more about putting her method to practical use, read any book written by Karen Andreola.
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Morgan
ABOUT MORGAN from ESTABLISHED AT HOME CO.
I am a former elementary teacher and a current stay-at-home home mom of two littles. I have always dabbled in various forms of art and recently discovered that I love to make printables. I love how simple and versatile they are for seasonal decorations.
I am in the beginning stage of homeschool exploration and love the Charlotte Mason philosophy, so I plan on making available many printables that I will use in my homeschooling.
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