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To the Mom Who Feels Like She’s Failing at the One Thing She Was Sure God Called Her To…

  Let’s be honest. Some days you feel like the circus clown… Only the clowns have more help and better costumes. Your “classroom” is the kitchen table. Your students? One’s crying, one’s hiding, one’s asking you a question that sounds like it came straight out of a college exam. Meanwhile, the baby’s screaming, the dog just threw up on the rug, and the toddler… well… let’s just say the peanut butter was NOT supposed to be art supplies. And you? You’re standing there with cold coffee, wondering how in the world you ended up in charge of someone’s entire education. "Maybe I’m in over my head." "Maybe I’m wrecking their future." "Maybe they’d be better off with a real teacher." You’ve seen those Instagram-perfect homeschool moms… Neat handwriting on the whiteboard, shelves arranged by color, kids smiling like they just won the lottery for Most Well-Behaved Family. You’ve tried to copy them. You’ve stayed up past midnight rearranging books, printing lesson ...
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Understanding Self-Education: Insights from Charlotte Mason

Volume 6: Towards a Philosophy of Education by CM

vol 6, page 23




Understanding Self-Education: Insights from Charlotte Mason

In her influential book Charlotte Mason Volume 6, Charlotte Mason introduces the concept of self-education, which might initially seem overwhelming or abstract. But don't worry—I'll break it down into simpler terms for you.

What Is Self-Education?

At first glance, the idea of "self-education" might conjure images of independent activities and creative self-expression. However, Mason's approach is more about nurturing a child's internal growth rather than just focusing on external skills or activities.

The Importance of Internal Growth

Mason argues that a person's character and conduct are shaped from within, not just by external activities. Just like the body needs proper nourishment and care, the mind needs intellectual "food" to grow and thrive. This means that providing children with meaningful ideas and experiences is crucial for their development.

Why External Activities Alone Aren't Enough

While activities like rhythmic movements or sensory exercises are valuable, they don't necessarily contribute to a child's character development. Instead, Mason emphasizes that true learning and growth come from the ideas and knowledge a child absorbs. These ideas should be rich and varied, just like a balanced diet.

The Role of Books and Ideas

Mason highlights that children should be exposed to quality ideas regularly. Just as the body needs three square meals a day to stay healthy, the mind needs a steady diet of stimulating and thought-provoking content. This "food" for the mind comes from reading great books and engaging with meaningful ideas, not just from passing activities or superficial lessons.

Teaching for Self-Education

Instead of focusing solely on external methods or rewards, Mason suggests that education should foster a child's ability to think, reflect, and grow from within. Teachers and parents should provide rich content and guidance, allowing children the freedom to explore and develop their own understanding.

Practical Tips for Parents

  1. Provide Quality Books: Introduce your children to well-written, thoughtful books that challenge and inspire them. This helps them build a rich vocabulary and a love for learning.

  2. Encourage Reflection: Allow children to think deeply about what they read and learn. Ask questions that stimulate their thinking and encourage them to express their ideas.

  3. Create a Learning Environment: Foster a space where intellectual curiosity is nurtured. This means offering diverse resources and supporting your child's interests and inquiries.

  4. Balance Activities: While engaging in various activities is important, ensure that these activities are not just for the sake of doing something but are aligned with meaningful learning and personal growth.

Final Thoughts

Self-education, as Charlotte Mason describes, is about empowering children to take charge of their own learning and development. It's not just about external achievements but about nurturing their inner potential through thoughtful and meaningful experiences. By focusing on quality ideas and fostering an environment of curiosity, parents and educators can help children grow into well-rounded, thoughtful individuals.

Remember, education is not just a matter of filling young minds with facts but guiding them to discover, understand, and appreciate the world around them.

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