Starting a Daily Rhythm-Charlotte Mason Homeschooling
Homeschooling ( for me ) presented a brand new way of living when I first began 13 years ago. You see… I was SO used to having a boss or having my work lined up for me. When you become a homeschool mom, you suddenly must become self-disciplined. You become a manager. In this post, I’m going to share with you the success I found in a daily rhythm instead of a strict schedule and how Charlotte Mason’s approach to education made our homeschool delightful instead of drudgery.
The Freedom of Homeschooling
Homeschooling allows us freedom like no other education method. We can choose our yearly schedule, our daily routines, what time of year to vacation, visit museums during the day, and also can take the time to dig deep into subjects of study.
For me, this is one of the most glorious aspects of homeschooling. Through the years, I have become a student in many ways right alongside my children as we learn something new.
Along with the beautiful freedom we experience, we also aim to live a life of discipline. Since we began the Charlotte Mason method of homeschooling, we added so much beauty, depth, and discipline to our homeschool.
“The formation of habits is education, and education is the formation of habits.” Charlotte Mason
I began this journey of truly studying Charlotte Mason’s idea of what a school schedule should look like. I found out her student’s schedule was lively and varied. Children would have short lessons ( to build the habit of attention ) and the lessons would switch between “mental work” and “hand’s on work”.
With this knowledge, I attempted this type of routine in our home.
My goal is to finish formal lessons by lunchtime or quiet time in our home, then continue on with nature study, nature walks, life skills, etc. in the afternoons.
It’s important for me to note: I believe the afternoon time is just as important as formal lessons. Children learn more than we think possible with the freedom to explore and teach themselves.
“Self-education is the only possible education; the rest is mere veneer laid on the surface of a child’s nature.”
― Charlotte Mason
Developing a Routine with Habits in Mind
The backbone of a Charlotte Mason education is the development of the child’s will. In a Charlotte Mason homeschool, the teacher works to train good habits for the child to lean towards.
We are in the middle of winter here at our homestead. With 7 children our front foyer can easily become a mess with boots, coats, socks, and outdoor gear.
My five-year-old began developing the bad habit of throwing her coat in the floor. I let it go for almost a week before I realized, “this habit is taking root and the more she does it the more it will make a track in her brain to do repeatedly”.
“Lydia come here…” I said. “It’s time to show you how to hang your coat up correctly.” I took the time that morning to show her how to put her coat correctly on a hanger and hang her coat.
This may seem like a small new habit, but in this learning, she is also learning to listen to me and be obedient.
We are 3 weeks in on this new habit for her, she’s doing well!
A Charlotte Mason educator really takes time to work on the details of her day. The details matter.
“The mother who takes pains to endow her children with good habits secures for herself smooth and easy days; while she who lets their habits take care of themselves has a weary life of endless friction with the children.”
― Charlotte M. Mason, The Original Home School Series
This quote from Charlotte Mason revolutionized my priorities in my day. I want smooth and easy days… I must put the work in now or else I would reap “endless friction”.
What we sow into our lives, we are either rewarded or punished. In my case, I don’t want to be nagging Lydia the rest of her days about properly hanging up her coat or clothes. Instead, I will put the work in now.
It’s important to realize- Children also mimic us. If I expect Lydia to hang her coat up, I must do the same thing. 🙂
We start our day with cleanliness
Our morning routine includes a quick tidy-up of our bedrooms, cleaning our bodies, and cleaning our hearts in prayer.
(We live on a homestead of many animals that need our attention, so certain children have the responsibility to go out early to care for them.)
Currently, I have a new baby to nurse in the morning. She is my little partner. I get her ready, then myself and my bedroom.
I will say right away- This morning routine habit is something that sets the mood for your entire day. This period ( say 1 hour) is a time to train your children to properly make a bed, put dirty clothes into a hamper, and get ready for the day. It is well worth your time to train them- and check their work. Also, it’s not perfect. I always say…progress is not perfect 🙂 ( Somewhere in here is breakfast and clean-up time!)
Morning Time
What is morning time? It is a time set aside to study the beautiful and for us, connect with God. This is a time to hear beautiful poetry, read a book aloud, read the Bible, study an artist…etc. This is very customized to your own priorities. We spent a good while studying different disciplines, and memorizing catechism during our morning time.
Formal Lessons
Our first lesson of the day is a group lesson. I teach a variety of grades. I start our day with History or Language Arts. Our lessons are varied and my goal is to move them along instead of developing the dreaded “dawdling” habit.
Do my children dawdle? Yes, at times, but with my full attention on them, I can get them back on track.
Our history lessons are narrated back to me for children over 2nd grade. I read a selection, they tell me back what I have read. The older children are expected to give a better narration than my younger students. In this manner, a lesson and exam can be finished in 20 minutes or less.
Next, we move on to a subject that includes more movement or creative expression. ( Handcrafts, painting, music appreciation) ~ After formal lessons we prepare for lunch and clean up. As a team, we clean up multiple times per day.
Quiet Time
I used to homeschool without a pause in my day. I found myself worn out and in constant “reaction mode”. This constant reaction mode really wore down my nerves by dinner time.
We started implementing quiet time. At least 20 minutes of silence. ( it usually lasts longer ) More here
I did have to train my toddlers to stay in their quiet space. Everyone gets their own space, even if it’s in a quiet corner. I use a timer and they are asked to stay quiet or nap until the timer goes off. Eventually, we are weaned off the timer and even my toddlers look forward to the silence.
During this time, I lay down with my baby or drink some tea and talk to a friend. I really think it’s worth our time to put our phones away during formal lessons and training time.
Chores
We gather back together for family chores after quiet time. These are not long chores, just a way to keep the home tidy and homeschool at the same time. ( I have included a rotation suggestion in Rhythms of Home Course )
Nature Study
The afternoons are for productivity in the home. Charlotte Mason suggested children spend hours outdoors. While that may not be practical in your homeschool, even an hour or so is our goal.
We use these rhythm notecards as a visual throughout our day. I made them with small picture images to help non-reading children recognize what is next on the routine. GET THEM HERE
Afternoon Occupations
Afternoons in the homeschool are an opportunity for rich learning, family businesses, music lessons, gardening, devotion to a single subject a student wants to advance in, and much more.
We also use afternoons for home care and habit training.
The Rhythm cards below ARE included in Daily Rhythms Course.
A final note
Your family and routine will not be identical to mine. These are just building blocks to a rhythm for your day. In my course, Rhythms of Home, we go through each area listed above in videos in a more detailed manner. Please join us now, as the community door is open. ( Closing November 22nd )
Rhythms of Home is OFTEN uploaded with new content, free of charge! This is the lowest price of the season! Join us NOW!
LIMITED TIME: Use code: 10OFF to get $10 off the entire course with all the bonuses! *Ends November 17
NOTE: If you have already purchased the course, the new cards are uploaded in your dashboard!
