Such a strong advocacy for living books. I have found it challenging to describe Charlotte Mason’s philosophy of real & living books, but you have done so masterfully. 25 years ago, we were one of those homeschooling families in America, and when I discovered Charlotte Mason, I knew I had found my home. Now the next generation is beginning homeschooling, and I am so grateful to have your words to share—helping my son understand his roots and his wife, inspired by living books, begin to see a different form of education. Her growing enthusiasm as she puts these principles into practice is so meaningful to me.
Hi Karen. Thank you so much for reposting. I have my first grandchild and have never done any homeschooling, but apart from finding that Charlotte Mason had learned teaching quite literally a few miles from my home, what has struck me most about her philosophy and teaching methods is the underlying truth of it, even outside the framework of her faith. I firmly believe that Christian faith and her method and philosophy cannot, and should not, be divorced from one another, but when you do remove it to examine her philosophy and methods outside that framework, you find an inescapable common sense to it. That your daughter-in-law is discovering that now, with a new generation – that says everything about why her philosophy and method endures. Blessings and best wishes from Sussex. Vincent'
Hello Vincent. It must be fascinating to live surrounded by such rich history in Sussex. And, of interest to me, that Charlotte Mason taught only a few miles from where you live. Her words that most shaped my years of teaching my children were, “Education is an atmosphere, a discipline, a life.” We educate our children best through the real atmosphere of our home, creating an environment that encourages learning to include real and living books and discipline of habit. Even if one does not have the luxury of homeschooling, this remains a worthy pursuit for our children as best we can and, I believe, they will be the better for it. Certainly, though, her philosophy was grounded in her Christian faith, and it is best understood in that light. She explained that, “All education is divine, that every good gift of knowledge and insight comes from above.” I see that you have posted much more on Charlotte Mason and I look forward to reading them.
Hi Karen. I cannot get enough of the history – it very much is in my bones. There is something about being connected to those that went before us, via art and culture, that I find genuinely comforting. I have a particular interest in the Victorian period and Charlotte Mason's time. For all its problems – and there were a great many, especially for the poor. Culturally, from poetry to prose, art to architecture, I think it is the last gasp of romance in England. There is a deep truth to so much of the nineteenth century's art and writing that has, to a great degree, vanished entirely from the modern world.
Hey Vincent, do you have a list of top living books? Perhaps even arranged by age? My oldest is four and I want to set her up with the best of the living books.
Such a strong advocacy for living books. I have found it challenging to describe Charlotte Mason’s philosophy of real & living books, but you have done so masterfully. 25 years ago, we were one of those homeschooling families in America, and when I discovered Charlotte Mason, I knew I had found my home. Now the next generation is beginning homeschooling, and I am so grateful to have your words to share—helping my son understand his roots and his wife, inspired by living books, begin to see a different form of education. Her growing enthusiasm as she puts these principles into practice is so meaningful to me.
Hi Karen. Thank you so much for reposting. I have my first grandchild and have never done any homeschooling, but apart from finding that Charlotte Mason had learned teaching quite literally a few miles from my home, what has struck me most about her philosophy and teaching methods is the underlying truth of it, even outside the framework of her faith. I firmly believe that Christian faith and her method and philosophy cannot, and should not, be divorced from one another, but when you do remove it to examine her philosophy and methods outside that framework, you find an inescapable common sense to it. That your daughter-in-law is discovering that now, with a new generation – that says everything about why her philosophy and method endures. Blessings and best wishes from Sussex. Vincent'
Hello Vincent. It must be fascinating to live surrounded by such rich history in Sussex. And, of interest to me, that Charlotte Mason taught only a few miles from where you live. Her words that most shaped my years of teaching my children were, “Education is an atmosphere, a discipline, a life.” We educate our children best through the real atmosphere of our home, creating an environment that encourages learning to include real and living books and discipline of habit. Even if one does not have the luxury of homeschooling, this remains a worthy pursuit for our children as best we can and, I believe, they will be the better for it. Certainly, though, her philosophy was grounded in her Christian faith, and it is best understood in that light. She explained that, “All education is divine, that every good gift of knowledge and insight comes from above.” I see that you have posted much more on Charlotte Mason and I look forward to reading them.
Hi Karen. I cannot get enough of the history – it very much is in my bones. There is something about being connected to those that went before us, via art and culture, that I find genuinely comforting. I have a particular interest in the Victorian period and Charlotte Mason's time. For all its problems – and there were a great many, especially for the poor. Culturally, from poetry to prose, art to architecture, I think it is the last gasp of romance in England. There is a deep truth to so much of the nineteenth century's art and writing that has, to a great degree, vanished entirely from the modern world.
Hi Christelle. Thank you so much for restacking. With very best wishes from West Sussex, UK. Vincent.
Hi Heather. Thank you so much for restacking. With very best wishes, Vincent.
Hey Vincent, do you have a list of top living books? Perhaps even arranged by age? My oldest is four and I want to set her up with the best of the living books.