Education is an atmosphere, a discipline, a life. To those of us who apply Charlotte Mason's principles while home educating our children this small phrase has huge meaning. What of those who only recognize the name Charlotte Mason but have never read her writings or even books written to "explain" what she wrote and did and said? I thought I'd take a post to use the three points from her synopsis in the preface of volume VI and share what it means to me.
'When we say that "education is an atmosphere," we do not mean that a child should be isolated in what may be called a 'child-environment' especially adapted and prepared, but that we should take into account the educational value of his natural home atmosphere, both as regards persons and things, and should let him live freely among his proper conditions. It stultifies a child to bring down his world to the child's' level.'
For me this means the education of life takes place right where we are. No artificial environments needed. What a relief because I rent a 2 bedroom apartment so we don't have an official "school room". Notice I didn't say there was anything wrong with having one, but I don't have the space. I'm free to instruct my son whether at home, the store, the library, the park or grandma's house.
'By "education is a discipline," we mean the discipline of habits, formed definitely and thoughtfully, whether habits of mind or body. Physiologists tell us of the adaptation of brain structures to habitual lines of thought, i.e., to our habits.'
Sometimes I wonder if helping my son to make good life long habits now will mean burnout down the road. Then reality slaps me in the face that if I'd made it a habit a long time ago to have routines then I wouldn't have to learn how to manage my home because that would already be a habit. I'm sure that good health and home cleaning habits taught now will be useful to my son when he is an adult and the husband and dad of his own family. ((plus my son sure is a looker so future wife know I'm praying for you and doing what the LORD instructs me to do in preparing this young man to be a man after God's heart))
'In saying that "education is a life," the need of intellectual and moral as well as of physical sustenance is implied. The mind feeds on ideas, and therefore children should have a generous curriculum.'
To be honest, I'm not sure whose enjoying this varied education more, my son or I. I'm delighted by many of the reading selections as listed at the AmbleSide website. Even the Year Zero booklist was a treat. Many of those stories I had never read. I feel privileged to walk this educational path with my son. I am thrilled to know that if a topic of interests arises we can pursue it.
I'd better get back to our living education. Happy learning!
'When we say that "education is an atmosphere," we do not mean that a child should be isolated in what may be called a 'child-environment' especially adapted and prepared, but that we should take into account the educational value of his natural home atmosphere, both as regards persons and things, and should let him live freely among his proper conditions. It stultifies a child to bring down his world to the child's' level.'
For me this means the education of life takes place right where we are. No artificial environments needed. What a relief because I rent a 2 bedroom apartment so we don't have an official "school room". Notice I didn't say there was anything wrong with having one, but I don't have the space. I'm free to instruct my son whether at home, the store, the library, the park or grandma's house.
'By "education is a discipline," we mean the discipline of habits, formed definitely and thoughtfully, whether habits of mind or body. Physiologists tell us of the adaptation of brain structures to habitual lines of thought, i.e., to our habits.'
Sometimes I wonder if helping my son to make good life long habits now will mean burnout down the road. Then reality slaps me in the face that if I'd made it a habit a long time ago to have routines then I wouldn't have to learn how to manage my home because that would already be a habit. I'm sure that good health and home cleaning habits taught now will be useful to my son when he is an adult and the husband and dad of his own family. ((plus my son sure is a looker so future wife know I'm praying for you and doing what the LORD instructs me to do in preparing this young man to be a man after God's heart))
'In saying that "education is a life," the need of intellectual and moral as well as of physical sustenance is implied. The mind feeds on ideas, and therefore children should have a generous curriculum.'
To be honest, I'm not sure whose enjoying this varied education more, my son or I. I'm delighted by many of the reading selections as listed at the AmbleSide website. Even the Year Zero booklist was a treat. Many of those stories I had never read. I feel privileged to walk this educational path with my son. I am thrilled to know that if a topic of interests arises we can pursue it.
I'd better get back to our living education. Happy learning!
1 comment:
Great post... very insightful details that bring the brilliance of a CM education to a "back to basics" understanding of her core principals. :)
Be Blessed,
Brittany
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