CHARLOTTE MASON'S PRINCIPLES #5 AND #6:
Education is an Atmosphere
We are going to look at two Principles this week: Principles #5 and #6.
Principle #5 is a bit of a holding card, so to speak, for the three Principles that follow it. With Principles 6, 7, and 8, Charlotte tells us the THREE EDUCATIONAL INSTRUMENTS that we may use:
PRINCIPLE #5
We are limited to three educational instruments –
the atmosphere of environment, the discipline of habit, and the presentation of living ideas. The P.N.E.U. Motto is: “Education is an atmosphere, a discipline, and a life."
So today we are going to dive into Principle #6: the idea that Education is an ATMOSPHERE. But what IS an atmosphere?
PRINCIPLE #6
“When we say that “education is an atmosphere,” we do not mean that a child should be isolated in what may be called a ‘child-environment’ especially adapted and prepared, but that we should take into account the educational value of his natural home atmosphere, both as regards persons and things, and should let him live freely among his proper conditions. It stultifies a child to bring down his world to the ‘child’s’ level.”
So Charlotte tells us that the atmosphere must be NATURAL and not ‘contrived.’ But what other clues does she give us about creating an atmosphere conducive to education? I discuss these clues in the video.
The readings for this principle are:
- Volume 6, Chapter 6: Three Instruments of Education (only Part 1: Education is an Atmosphere)
- Volume 2, Chapter 4: Parents as Inspirers
Both chapters are available to download in the FREE STUDY GUIDE with included study questions for these Principles.
Video for Principles #5 and #6
HOMEWORK FOR PRINCIPLES #5 AND #6
Read the included chapters and watch the video. Answer the included questions and then join us over in The Plenary Facebook Group or The Plenary MeWe Group!
Tell me what you think about “Atmosphere!” What questions do you have?
And if you are enjoying this study, please share it with your friends.
I hope to chat with you soon!
Rachel
Other Posts in This Series:
Finding Your Way with Charlotte Mason's 20 Principles
Principle #5
Principle #6
Principle #7
Principle #8
Principle #9
Principle #10
Principle #11
Principle #12
Principle #13
Principle #14
Principle #15
Principle #16
Principle #17
Principle #18
Principle #19
Principle #20
