Charlotte Mason was concerned not only with the child’s mind, but all of his person. This week’s podcast episode is an interview with a new Charlotte Mason-educating mom who has deliberately considered both the beauty and function of their school area and shares abundant ideas to inspire you to enhance your children’s connections with their lessons by making deliberate efforts and choices regarding the organization and appeal of the schoolroom itself.
“Children are born persons.” (Principle 1)
“Neatness is akin to order, but is not quite the same thing: it implies not only ‘a place for everything, and everything in its place,’ but everything in a suitable places, so as to produce a good effect; in fact, taste comes into play. The little girl must not only put her flowers in water but arrange them prettily, and must not be put off with some rude kitchen mug or jug for them, or some hideous pink vase, but must have jar or vase graceful in form and harmonious in hue, though it be but a cheap trifle. In the same way, everything in the nursery should be ‘neat’–that is pleasing and suitable.” (1/130-131)
“Children should be encouraged to make neat and effective arrangements of their own little properties…Nothing vulgar in the way of print, picture-book, or toy should be admitted–nothing to vitiate a child’s taste or introduce a strain of commonness into his nature.” (1/131)
“[M]eantime, let us look in at a home schoolroom managed on sound principles. In the first place, there is a time-table, written out fairly, so that the child knows what he has to do and how long each lesson is to last. This idea of definite work to be finished in a given time is valuable to the child, not only as training him in habits of order, but in diligence; he learns that one time is not ‘as good as another’; that there is no right time left for what is not done in its own time; and this knowledge alone does a great deal to secure the child’s attention to his work.” (1/142)
“Let him always put away his things as a matter of course, and it is surprising how soon a habit of order is formed, which will make it pleasant to the child to put away his toys, and irritating to him to see things in the wrong place.” (1/130)
Charlotte Mason Soiree Retreat
Episode 4: Three Tools of Education
Simply Charlotte Mason’s Picture Study Portfolios
“All Work and No Play Makes Jack a Dull Boy” by Mrs. Flora Annie Steele (Parents’ Review, Vol. 16, No. 6, p. 401)
Jessica, How fun it was to listen to your interview today!! I’ve got my split screen up with the podcast on one side & your Instagram on the other, lol!! As you mention different things about your school room I’m scrolling through to take a look-see!! I’ve got a list of things to do in our own yard – gather pine cones, collect some leaves this year… 🙂 One of my favorite podcasts!! Thank you so much!!
Tiffany, I am so glad that you enjoyed today’s episode. It was such an honor to share with the ADE family. I encourage you to let your children lead the way in the things you collect for your school room. It is so interesting to see what captivates their attention and by making room for their treasures, you will validate their attempts at self-education.
Five frames! That’s a neat idea for each days schedule.
Yes to only books for the current Term on the school bookshelf.
I’m wondering what timeline you’re referring to that is on your wall – the streams of history chart? Did you make your own or do you have a website you can recommend to order one? Thanks!
Kelsey, We think it’s rhe Streams of History chart from Riverbend Press.
Thank you for sharing with us Jessica! Can you explain how you use the scaffolding form? I saw the instructions on the chart, but I’m unclear on the form. Do you use one of those for every single lesson?
Yes, I am wondering that too (about the Scaffolding Form). Very inspiring episode. Love how you actually pretended you had no wall space to best answer the question of what to do if you have none. I am in awe (& dread) when I imagine how much time it must take to set up these things – but then the time it saves once set up must make it all worthwhile.