For the Children’s Sake: Foundations of Education for Home and School
In the homeschooling movement, Charlotte Mason’s ideas are probably more familiar now than they were when this book was written. I understand that her writings have been published more recently, with introductions by Ms. Macaulay. Ambleside Online is a great resource for further reading on Charlotte Mason’s perspective.
I was somewhat familiar with the curricular aims of Charlotte Mason, but this book presents more of her philosophy. I appreciate the practical understanding of children, the respect for them as “persons” and not mere vats to be filled with facts (or computers to be programmed). I appreciate the gentleness and thoroughness of Ms. Mason’s approach to the mind and character of young children. As a (neo)classical homeschooler, I share her love of history, and her belief that good books don’t need the help of a lot of commentary or simplification; let them speak for themselves. And I love the progression forecast in the motto of some of the British schools modeled on her principles: “I am, I can, I ought, I will.”
Reflecting on our own home education experiences so far, it was reassuring to see that we’ve done a lot “right” (as defined by this attractive philosophy) without consciously trying. We keep our lesson time to about half the day, and the girls have lots of free time to be imaginative. We observe nature around us, garden, explore. We read plenty of “living books” (including the Bible), listen to music, encourage artistic and verbal expression, pay attention to art.
It was good, too, to spend some time thinking about the art of diversion, mentioned here as a tactic in the training and management of children. I tend to be a confrontational person. It’s good to have a different strategy to turn to in difficult situations. When a child is struggling with her own nature in some way, sometimes it’s better to just defuse the situation and turn her to a different activity than to talk about it in a tense moment. It sounds simple, but it’s not my natural tendency.
In any case, for an appealing picture of what education of the whole person can be, this book is an excellent read. It brought me back to some basics that are good to remember this first week of school. It reminded me of the amazing blessing of homeschooling my daughters, so full of potential and mystery, so able and so eager. It’s a journey made with fear and trembling, but also with joy.
This book had a huge impact on how we homeschooled. I really like Charlotte Mason as interpreted by Susan Schaeffer Macauley.
I’ve started reading this one, but I put it aside for something (I hate to admit it) more entertaining or more pressing at the moment. I intend to pick it back up, though. Thanks for the encouragement!
Would you like to submit this to the Charlotte Mason blog carnival? You can submit it here.
Thank you for the invitation! The carnival looks like a wonderful place to learn more.
Great review, Janet. I really need to finish reading my copy.
We’ve been using a blend of the CM and Classical educational philosophies for years. There are so many benefits to these approaches.
I don’t agree with CM on everything. She wasn’t fond of children’s picture books, but we love them. I’ve never really understood the efficacy of diversion on a consistent basis, but maybe I don’t completely understand it. I have deferred confrontation when a child needed to calm down first, but primarily, I’ve applied Eccl. 8:11.
I agree. Diversion could become avoidance or enablement if used in every situation.
We love picture books too!
I think I’m a blend of those two approaches too. I like the order of the classical perspective, and the gentleness of the CM method.
I loved this book. It is one I will never get rid of, in the hope that my children will be homeschooling parents one day and read it.
This is one of my favourite books too, it’s one I will keep going back to again & again.
This book has impacted me greatly!
I read it for the first time a little more than a year ago, and have recently started to read it once again!
I may be the only CMer that hasn’t read this book. I’m still working on CMs writings.
I should get there eventually…
I haven’t read this one, but I’d like to. Thanks for the review.
I love that book! I think this may have been the FIRST book I read about homeschooling however many years ago!!!
I’ve been picking my way through the CM original books a little at a time rather than reading any of the contemporary books about the method. I guess I felt it was better to go to the source first.
This review is one of the first that’s made me want to go out & get a newer book. Thank you!
Cheers,
Ruby
I love this book!
I can’t seem to remove it from my bedside stand…
I refer to it often.
Glad to find out more of what this book is about! Thanks for the review!