"The more the child shapes his own course, the less do the parents find to do, beyond feeding him with food convenient, whether of love, or thought, or of bodily meat and drink. And here, we may notice, the parents need only supply; the child knows well enough how to appropriate. The parents' chief care is, that that which they supply shall be wholesome and nourishing, whether in the way of picture books, lessons, playmates, bread and milk, or mother's love."~Charlotte Mason , Home Education
The photo above is of my self-directed learner, fifteen-year-old Bard, practicing her piano. She called me in one morning to show me how beautiful her hands looked on the keys with the eastern sun filtering through the windows. I only wish you could hear her playing Prelude in C to complete the picture!
Our venture into a more conscientous, yet still relaxed, classical education has been very satisfying. Yesterday the kids and I sat around the kitchen table discussing Latin and Greek roots which lead into a discussion of the Carl Linnaeus classification system. It was, believe it or not, an entertaining and engaging conversation.
Lest you think that a Charlotte Mason curriculum is overwhelming and strict, let me assure you that it's actually freeing and enjoyable. Fifteen minute study sessions for the younger ones provide for constant interest and the realization that an enjoyable lesson can continue at will, and a difficult lesson will soon be over. And there is still so much freedom to pursue natural interest, like our discussion about the classification system. No one felt burdened or prodded to learn; we were all learning together--and I'm most definitely a big proponent of that. What I increasingly find is that the children don't so much dislike the lesson their doing as they dislike being alone while doing them, being isolated from everyone else for the sake of learning something they have no motivation to learn in the first place. But you, as the mother, the director of their education, the autodidact that you are, show a sincere interest and a humility that says, "I don't really understand this either; let's figure it out together," and suddenly your child is no longer alone, but on a journey with the one she loves and trusts and wishes for none other to learn alongside.
And the bonus, of course, is being there to see her eyes light up when she finally understands!
Now, an informal poll: Did you learn root words in school? If so, do they still help you? Do children in schools learn them now?
