As September draws to a close, children are settled back in school, with reading lists and routines well in place. The usual curriculum often involves textbooks crafted by committees, which might range from lackluster to heavily agenda-driven. Alternatively, some students learn through emotionless computer screens. However, there exists another educational approach, one pioneered over a century ago.
Charlotte Mason, a 19th-century British educator, significantly influenced modern homeschooling in America. Although lesser-known among public school parents, her ideas offer valuable insights into children’s education and reading, extending beyond homeschooling circles. Mason’s principles focus on fostering a love for knowledge and learning in children, a goal she believed essential to their development.
Mason argued that children, like their need for vitamins and nutrients, require stimulating ideas for growth. She viewed conventional textbooks as inadequate, promoting the exposure to great art, music, and especially literature. In her view, ‘Living books,’ authored by single individuals with engaging narratives, offer a richer educational experience than committee-written textbooks.
For example, titles such as ‘The Trumpet of the Swan,’ ‘Black Beauty,’ and ‘A Little Princess’ serve early learners. Middle school students benefit from ‘My Side of the Mountain,’ ‘Around the World in 80 Days,’ and the ‘Narnia’ series. High schoolers gain insights from classics like ‘Pride and Prejudice’ and ‘David Copperfield.’
Such books, according to Mason, ignite curiosity due to the authors’ genuine enthusiasm for their subjects. Unlike typical textbooks, they employ captivating styles that engage students’ imaginations and emotions. Books like ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ or ‘My Side of the Mountain’ present complex themes in accessible narratives, leaving a lasting impression on young minds.
Living books also introduce challenging vocabulary, promoting linguistic expansion. Contrary to the belief of some educators, classics with intricate language, such as Dickens’s works or the King James Bible, enhance rather than deter comprehension, essential for intellectual and moral development. E. B. White, renowned for ‘Charlotte’s Web,’ valued such challenges, viewing children as capable readers.
“Anyone who writes down to children is simply wasting his time,” White asserted. “Children are demanding and attentive readers. They embrace challenges.”
Ultimately, living books transition students from passive learning to active engagement. Through retelling stories like ‘The Little Princess’ in their own words, students build critical communication and analytical abilities. Books like ‘Little Women’ and ‘The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn’ impart valuable life lessons on topics such as family, sacrifice, friendship, and moral courage.
Charlotte Mason famously stated, ‘Education is an atmosphere, a discipline, a life.’ In an era where education sometimes deviates from this vision, adopting her approach with living books can help restore its essence, not only for children but for everyone. Embracing these principles might reignite a holistic educational journey.
Beth Herman, a visiting fellow at the Independent Women’s Education Freedom Center, is completing her master’s degree in Classical Education at the University of Dallas.