A Delectable Education Charlotte Mason Podcast

The April Q&A episode discusses the usual variety of questions: Did Charlotte Mason use textbooks? Is her parenting advice valid? How can we get more rest? Plus, strategies for lesson planning.

"Education, said Charlotte Mason, is an "atmosphere, a discipline, and a life." Habit formation, the discipline, is fundamental to our function as persons. Miss Mason offers descriptions of habit formation as well as counsel on habit training. Emily, Liz, and Nicole discuss the essentials for building those habits that make for "the good life."

It is not an exaggeration to say that understanding the ideas in this Charlotte Mason podcast is the most important piece of knowledge you can gain as a teacher and parent. Liz, Emily, and Nicole focus on Miss Mason's use of method rather than system in education. It is a way of seeing the child, his education, and discipleship that brings life rather than fixed results.

Charlotte Mason was convinced that children--all children--are born persons and advocated for "a liberal education for all." This interview is with Nicolle Hutchinson who founded and administrates Gillingham Charter School in Pottsville, PA. Once Mrs. Hutchinson, a public school teacher, discovered Charlotte Mason, she knew there was a way to make public education life-giving. In this interview, she shares about her journey to Charlotte Mason's method, her growing dream to bring her principles and practices to publicly educated children, and the formation and continuation of her charter school.

This month's Charlotte Mason Q&A episode addresses common challenges most families face: how much should the child's preferences contribute to book selection, how can we most effectively combine various age and ability levels, and that precarious balance of the day-to-day routine--specifically, how do the ADE ladies personally budget and manage their daily schedules.

Charlotte Mason's method works in all kinds of homes and with every kind of child. This podcast interview with Jenny Schreiner demonstrates this perfectly. If you have ever felt overwhelmed, just imagine seven children under 11, special needs children, adopted children, being new to and trying to implement Charlotte Mason. Listen be refreshed and encouraged by Jenny's vulnerable and valuable lessons in her role as mother and teacher.

Charlotte Mason grounded her educational method on definite principles and practices--and the subject of mathematics is no exception. Today's guest, Emily Al-Khatib is a math teacher herself and shares her perspective on the beauty and truth of using Miss Mason's methods in this part of the feast.

Charlotte Mason sent her programmes out to thousands, but what would she say about families striking out on their own to determine their own course? It is an era of independent-minded homeschoolers; is it possible to come close to her standards for the feast and the right living books to offer? This episode explores the pros and cons of designing your own program, whether it is possible, when it is and is not wise. This episode is full of advice, encouragement, admonitions, and warnings for those who want to try, are hesitant, are too confident or too unsure of themselves to "do-it-yourself."

Charlotte Mason valued time and recognized its limitations. This Q&A episode considers three questions regarding time: use of scheduling cards to develop a timetable for multiple ages, how to handle a child who cannot tolerate book work for much time, and, last but not least, how a mother can possibly manage all her responsibilities in the time she has.