CHARLOTTE MASON'S PRINCIPLE #8
Education is a Life
Continuing with the last part of Principle #5, 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.
Principle #8 is the idea that Education is a LIFE:
PRINCIPLE #8
In saying that “education is a life,” the need of intellectual and moral as well as of physical sustenance is implied. The mind feeds on ideas, and therefore children should have a generous curriculum.
LIFE = THE FEAST OF IDEAS
“For the mind is capable of dealing with only one kind of food; it lives, grows and is nourished upon ideas only; mere information is to it as a meal of sawdust to the body.”
Charlotte Mason, Vol. 6, pg 105
If we feed a child ideas instead of mere information, they feed his mind and his soul. They “become living human truths … like a statue by Michael Angelo or like a painting by Raphael.”
This is what Principle #8 is all about – the vital ideas of life – the good and true and beautiful ideas. We, as teachers and parents, are responsible for making sure that our children are introduced to these ideas. They are the FEAST we offer.
The main reading for this principle is:
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- Volume 6, Chapter 6: Three Instruments of Education (only Part 3: Education is a Life)
You can download the entire reading in the FREE STUDY GUIDE which also includes study questions for this Principle:
Video for Principle #8
HOMEWORK FOR PRINCIPLE #8
Read the included chapter portion and watch the video. Answer the included questions and then join us over in The Plenary Facebook Group!
Tell me what you think about the idea that EDUCATION IS A LIFE.
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
