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Home Home and Family Family Homeschooling the Charlotte Mason Way
Homeschooling the Charlotte Mason Way PDF Print E-mail
Written by Diane Noble   
Homeschooling has come a long way in the last century, partially due to innovative teachers like Charlotte Mason who dedicated a life time to developing a new philosophy for teaching children. There are many different ways to homeschool your child, but the Charlotte Mason method remains one of the most popular methods. If you're considering homeschooling your children, you should research the different methods of homeschooling so that you can make an informed decision when you decide which method best suits your family. This article will present some of the highlights of the Charlotte Method way of homeschooling.
by DianeNoble


Homeschooling has come a long way in the last century, partially due to innovative teachers like Charlotte Mason who dedicated a life time to developing a new philosophy for teaching children. There are many different ways to homeschool your child, but the Charlotte Mason method remains one of the most popular methods. If you're considering homeschooling your children, you should research the different methods of homeschooling so that you can make an informed decision when you decide which method best suits your family. This article will present some of the highlights of the Charlotte Method way of homeschooling.

Charlotte Mason began to develop her ideas as a passionate mother dedicated to the effective education of her children. She founded the homeschooling movement in the early 1900's and invested a lifetime in improving the quality of education for children. Her vision was to create a comprehensive and adaptable educational program that focused on core subjects with an emphasis on literature, classical music and fine arts. Charlotte Mason kept her audience in mind and worked hard to keep the program interesting for children.

Charlotte Mason coined the term "living books" when she described the types of text books teachers should use. One of the most important requirements for a "living book" is that it must be written by someone who is passionate about the subject. The book should also be written in a narrative or conversational style which is sure to capture the attention children much more powerfully than the dry factual texts often found in public schools today. Books that feel "alive" and engaging will inspire a similar feeling towards the subject. Mason also coined the term "twaddle," to describe books that condescend to children by dumbing down information or using unsophisticated language. Mason criticizes "twaddle" for killing a child's enthusiasm and insulting their intelligence.

An important part of Mason's program includes reading literature and narrating. Children must become proficient at narrating in their own words what they have read. The narration can be oral, written or even expressed in drawings. Narrating after reading helps to ensure comprehension. Younger children can narrate orally or through drawings but by ten years old, the child should be able to narrate a story by writing. Narration ensures that the child has synthesized the reading, organized the information in their mind and determined how best to communicate this information.

Mason advocates the use of 'Nature Diaries.' After a short and interesting lesson, the child is asked to observe Nature and draw what they perceive. This helps students develop a sense of respect for the environment. Regular nature study also paves the way for meaningful science instruction. Children should be encouraged to spend a significant amount of time outdoors so they can develop a relationship with nature and a love for it. If you ask your children to start a nature diary, let them know that the diary can include prose, pictures and poetry.

Mason held strongly to her belief that the development of good character and behavior was essential to the complete development of a child's personality. Children must learn how to govern and discipline themselves. Mason encouraged parents and teachers to instill good habit such as respect, punctuality, cleanliness and patience in their children. Children should spend four to six weeks working on a new trait or skill until it becomes a habit. These are the cornerstones of the Charlotte Mason method. Homeschooling parents can find many ways to incorporate these practices into their homeschooling routines.

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For more information on popular homeschooling methods and other valuable homeschooling resources visit us at Homeschool Central You can get a unique content version of this article from the Uber Article Directory.

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