Simply Charlotte Mason Homeschooling

It can seem a daunting task to teach a child to read, because so much of education depends on it. The better a child can read, the easier his schooling will be. But let me assure you that most children will pick up reading quite naturally if raised in a language-rich environment where books are treasured. Many people who grow up in such an environment cannot recall exactly how they learned to read, but learn they did. So relax and take a look at Charlotte Mason’s gentle and natural approach to teaching your child to read.

Charlotte Mason used a two-faceted approach to teaching science that was very effective: systematic studies and spontaneous discovery. The systematic studies were accomplished through reading and narrating living science books. The spontaneous facet was added through doing nature study.

Charlotte Mason's timeless habit-training strategies have changed homes around the world. Yet, as I travel and speak on habit-training, parents often approach me with this concern: "I want to cultivate good habits in my children, but how can I do that when I don't have the necessary good habits myself?"

Most homeschool parents I talk to get a funny look on their faces when I mention poetry. That’s because their own schooling experience with poetry consisted of dissecting a poem to bits at the teacher’s insistence. Such over-analysis and examination steals all the joy from the beautiful words. Charlotte Mason’s approach is vastly different.

Charlotte Mason understood that beauty and enjoyment can be added to life by appreciating good music, singing, and learning the basics of playing music. Here’s how to approach music in a Charlotte Mason way.

Good literature comes alive to your emotions, fires your imagination, and plants seeds of ideas in your mind. It forms a vibrant connection to your heart and affects who you are becoming.

Charlotte Mason's students could read, hear, and narrate in multiple languages. How did she accomplish that level of expertise? Let’s talk a bit about Charlotte’s brilliant approach to foreign language.

There is much to be learned in working with one’s hands to create something of use and beauty. Charlotte Mason selected a handicraft for her students to learn each term.

Charlotte Mason approached art in a balanced way, regularly scheduling time for her students to both appreciate others’ art and to express their own art. We can do the same regardless of our own artistic capabilities.

Of all the subjects we include in our children’s education, the most important should be their Bible lessons.

History and geography are not about numbers, they are about real people and real places. They are living subjects and should be taught as such. With the Charlotte Mason method, they are.

Whether history is your favorite subject or a lot of forgotten dates from days gone by, you can enjoy watching it come alive alongside your children when you use Charlotte’s wonderful methods of living books, narration, and a Book of Centuries.

Three principles are foundational to a Charlotte Mason education. No matter what school subjects you are teaching, you want to be sure to keep these keys in place.

Instead of just the basic three Rs, a Charlotte Mason education emphasizes a wide and generous curriculum that attempts to spread a feast of ideas before the children.